Bible verses about death
For Bible verses about death, many people turn to 1 Corinthians 15:55-57, Psalm 116:15 and Philippians 1:21. They speak of death losing its sting, of God treasuring his people, and of how Paul saw life and death. All ten are below in full.
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Free to read, no account. Last updated November 9, 2026. Scripture: King James Version and World English Bible (public domain).
1.1 Corinthians 15:55-57
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
In the World English Bible
“Death, where is your sting? Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul sums up a long argument about resurrection with a taunt to death itself. Victory is credited to Jesus.
2.Psalm 116:15
Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
In the World English Bible
Precious in the LORD’s sight is the death of his saints.
A short line saying the death of those who belong to God is precious in his sight.
3.Philippians 1:21
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
In the World English Bible
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
From a prison cell, Paul says living and dying both hold something good for him.
4.2 Corinthians 5:8
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
In the World English Bible
We are courageous, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.
Paul would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. Many read it at funerals.
5.Romans 14:8
For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.
In the World English Bible
For if we live, we live to the Lord. Or if we die, we die to the Lord. If therefore we live or die, we are the Lord’s.
Whether people live or die, they belong to the Lord. Paul says it covers both ends of life.
6.Ecclesiastes 12:7
Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
In the World English Bible
and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
The Teacher describes what happens at death: the body goes back to the earth and the spirit to God.
7.Psalm 90:12
So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
In the World English Bible
So teach us to count our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Moses prays for help counting the days well. Facing how short life is, he asks for a wise heart.
8.Isaiah 25:8
He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.
In the World English Bible
He has swallowed up death forever! The Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces. He will take the reproach of his people away from off all the earth, for the LORD has spoken it.
Looking forward: death swallowed up for good, tears wiped from every face.
9.Hebrews 9:27
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
In the World English Bible
Inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once, and after this, judgment,
Plain words: people die once. The writer then moves on to what Christ has done.
10.2 Timothy 4:7-8
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
In the World English Bible
I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith. From now on, the crown of righteousness is stored up for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.
Near the end of his life, Paul looks back with a settled mind. He writes as someone who has done what he set out to do.
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What is a good Bible verse about death?
1 Corinthians 15:55-57 is a good place to start. Paul sums up a long argument about resurrection with a taunt to death itself. Victory is credited to Jesus.
What does the Bible say happens after death?
Passages like 2 Corinthians 5:8 and Philippians 1:21 speak of being with Christ, and 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 points to resurrection. Ecclesiastes 12:7 describes the body returning to dust. Christians hold a range of views on the details, and a pastor can talk those through.
Which Bible verses help when someone has died?
Psalm 116:15, Isaiah 25:8 and 2 Corinthians 5:8 are often read at funerals. For verses on grief itself, the grief page has more, including Psalm 34:18 and John 11:35. It's fine to sit with the hard ones too.
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Made by Lamplight, a small Sarvixo product. Notes on each verse are ours, written with AI tools and checked against the passage. The verses are printed exactly as published.