Capital punishment has been a controversial issue for many years in our country. Does the government have the right to execute those they deem as guilty of laws of serious magnitude? What if the evidence or judgment is wrong? The government could put someone to death for a crime they did not commit.

These are good points to consider when thinking about the downside of this judgment. However, in some of Old Testament times, the children of God lived in a theocracy where God ruled. Therefore, they could uphold and carry out punishments without fear of killing the innocent.

In Jesus’ day, the laws of the Roman Empire often carried capital punishment out. Their methods were specific and cruel. Jesus is crucified within this context.

In this download, you will receive information on several forms of capital punishment carried out in Bible time. You will receive background materials and Bible references to consult in your study. After the filled in handouts, you will receive the same handouts with blanks so a classroom or Bible study can fill them in as this study goes.