Jesus never gave a straightforward endorsement or rejection of the death penalty, but the Gospels record moments where his words and actions speak to it indirectly.

The clearest example is the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1–11). According to the law of Moses, adultery was punishable by death. The religious leaders brought the woman to Jesus, asking if she should be stoned. Instead of affirming the execution, Jesus replied, “Let the one who is without sin cast the first stone.” One by one, the accusers walked away, and Jesus told the woman, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and sin no more.” This moment is often read as Jesus rejecting the rush to execute and calling for mercy, humility, and self-examination.

Jesus also spoke in ways that push against the logic of vengeance and retribution, which are the foundations of capital punishment. For example, in the Sermon on the Mount, he said: “You have heard it said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other also” (Matthew 5:38–39).

At the same time, Jesus acknowledged that earthly governments have authority, including the power to execute. When standing before Pilate, who claimed the power to crucify him, Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above” (John 19:11). He didn’t challenge the existence of that authority, but he reframed it as something under God’s sovereignty.

So, in short: Jesus didn’t explicitly abolish the death penalty, but his teachings and actions consistently leaned toward mercy, forgiveness, and caution against human judgment.

Here’s a snapshot of what Christian communities today are saying about the death penalty:

Current Christian Opinions on the Death Penalty

1. The Catholic Church:
In 2018, Pope Francis officially revised the Catechism of the Catholic Church, declaring that the death penalty is “inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person” and that the Church “works with determination for its abolition worldwide” AP NewsWikipediaCatholic News AgencyNational Catholic Reporter.
He reinforced this stance through his 2020 encyclical Fratelli Tutti, declaring there must be “no stepping back” from this position St. Louis ReviewDeath Penalty Information Center.
The Pope has continued to advocate for mercy over retribution, emphasizing that capital punishment fuels a destructive cycle of revenge, and urging systems to prioritize rehabilitation and dignity USCCBReutersVatican News+1The Guardian.

2. Other Mainline Denominations:

The United Methodist Church has opposed capital punishment since 1956, emphasizing redemption and rehabilitation over vengeance.

The Reformed Church in America formally rejects the death penalty, arguing it contradicts Christ’s ethic of love and neglects redemption.

Many Anglican/Episcopalian bodies, including the Lambeth Conference, made similar condemnations by 1988.

Groups emphasizing nonviolence—like Mennonites, the Church of the Brethren, and the Quakers—also oppose it based on scripture like the Sermon on the Mount.

3. Evangelical and Conservative Christians:
Several evangelical bodies continue to support the death penalty, citing biblical passages like Genesis 9:6 and Romans 13 as justification.
A 2025 example: Pastor Robert Jeffress of First Baptist Dallas publicly endorsed seeking the death penalty in a high-profile murder case, framing it as honoring divine justice.

4. Orthodox Christian Perspectives:
Most Eastern Orthodox churches officially oppose capital punishment, but no single unified stance.
By contrast, Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church recently stated that Jesus did not oppose the death penalty, supporting its potential reinstatement under some circumstances.