Bible Verses About Hell and Eternal Punishment

Bible passages about hell, final judgment, and the fate of the unrighteous — exploring eternal conscious torment, annihilationism, and universalism.

King James Version
41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
Matthew 25:41
46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Matthew 25:46
10And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Revelation 20:10
43And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
Mark 9:43
23And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
Luke 16:23-24
9Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
2 Thessalonians 1:9
23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 6:23
7Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
Jude 1:7
4Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
Ezekiel 18:4
28And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Matthew 10:28
8But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Revelation 21:8

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Related Topics

Eternal LifeSalvationHeavenRepentance

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Bible say about hell?

The Bible describes hell using vivid imagery: eternal fire (Matthew 25:41), outer darkness (Matthew 25:30), and separation from God (2 Thessalonians 1:9). Jesus spoke more about hell than any other biblical figure, using terms like Gehenna and describing it as a place prepared for the devil and his angels.

Do all Christians believe in eternal conscious torment?

Christians hold three main views on hell. Traditional/eternal conscious torment holds that the unsaved suffer forever (Revelation 20:10, Matthew 25:46). Annihilationism (conditional immortality) teaches that the unsaved are ultimately destroyed rather than tormented eternally (Matthew 10:28, Romans 6:23). Universal reconciliation suggests all will eventually be restored to God. Each view claims biblical support.

Is the Bible's language about hell literal or metaphorical?

Christians disagree on this. Some take descriptions of fire and darkness literally as physical realities. Others note that fire and darkness are contradictory if both literal, suggesting metaphorical language pointing to a terrible but indescribable reality. Most agree that whatever hell is, it involves separation from God's blessing and is something to be avoided at all costs.