Bible Verses About Forgiveness

In him we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace

Context: This is part of the letter’s opening praise for God’s blessings in Christ (Ephesians 1:3–14). Forgiveness is tied to redemption through Christ’s blood and the riches of grace, not presented as something purchased by personal achievement.

By David. A contemplative psalm. Blessed is he whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom Yahweh doesn’t impute iniquity, in whose spirit there is no deceit.

Context: After these opening lines, the speaker describes the weight of keeping silent, then acknowledges sin and receives forgiveness (Psalm 32:3–5). The WEB includes the psalm heading in this selection. The poem does not name a specific offense.

“Come now, and let’s reason together,” says Yahweh: “Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Context: Isaiah addresses Judah and Jerusalem, confronting worship offered alongside wrongdoing. The preceding commands include seeking justice and defending the fatherless and widow; verses 19–20 set obedience beside a warning about rebellion.

All the prophets testify about him, that through his name everyone who believes in him will receive remission of sins.”

Context: Peter is speaking in Caesarea to Cornelius, who has gathered relatives and close friends (Acts 10:24). As Peter speaks about Jesus, the Holy Spirit falls on the listeners; the Jewish believers are amazed that Gentiles receive the gift too (10:44–48).

Who is a God like you, who pardons iniquity, and passes over the disobedience of the remnant of his heritage? He doesn’t retain his anger forever, because he delights in loving kindness. He will again have compassion on us. He will tread our iniquities under foot. You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

Context: Micah’s closing praise speaks of pardon for the remnant of God’s people. Verse 20 looks back to God’s faithfulness to Jacob and loving kindness to Abraham, as sworn to the fathers. The sea image expresses the removal of sins, not a new literal event.

They will no longer each teach his neighbor, and every man teach his brother, saying, ‘Know Yahweh;’ for they will all know me, from their least to their greatest,” says Yahweh, “for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

Context: God promises a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, with his law written on their hearts (Jeremiah 31:31–34). Remembering sin no more describes God’s forgiveness in this promise; it is not an instruction for a harmed person to erase memories.

For you, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, abundant in loving kindness to all those who call on you.

Context: Headed “A Prayer by David,” Psalm 86 is a plea from someone poor and needy, facing violent men. This appeal to God’s goodness is part of a prayer for help, teaching, and an undivided heart, not an account of a trouble-free life.

Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father, who is in heaven, may also forgive you your transgressions.

Context: Following the temple episode and the withered fig tree, Jesus teaches the disciples about faith, prayer, and forgiveness (Mark 11:20–25). This command concerns their treatment of others while praying, not just the requests they make.

Don’t judge, and you won’t be judged. Don’t condemn, and you won’t be condemned. Set free, and you will be set free.

Context: Jesus has told his listeners to love enemies and be merciful as their Father is merciful (Luke 6:27–36). The WEB uses “Set free” here, where some translations use “forgive.” The following teaching also warns against hypocritical correction of others.

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Dividing his garments among them, they cast lots.

Context: In the WEB text, Jesus prays to the Father as he is crucified and his clothing is divided. Some ancient manuscripts omit the prayer, a difference noted in editions such as the NIV. The surrounding account still describes crucifixion, mockery, and the two criminals.

Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I don’t tell you until seven times, but, until seventy times seven.

Context: Peter asks how often to forgive a brother. The WEB reads “seventy times seven”; some editions read “seventy-seven times.” Jesus follows this answer with the unforgiving servant’s enormous canceled debt and a warning to forgive from the heart (Matthew 18:23–35).

doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil;

Context: This verse continues Paul’s description of love in a discussion of the church’s gifts and shared life. The next verse says love does not rejoice in unrighteousness but rejoices with truth. It is not an instruction to conceal harm or destroy evidence of wrongdoing.

so that, on the contrary, you should rather forgive him and comfort him, lest by any means such a one should be swallowed up with his excessive sorrow. Therefore I beg you to confirm your love toward him.

Context: Paul says the punishment imposed by the majority is sufficient, then urges forgiveness, comfort, and reaffirmed love (2 Corinthians 2:5–11). This paragraph does not name the offender or describe the offense, so an exact identification is uncertain.

Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective.

Context: James has instructed the sick to call the church’s elders for prayer and anointing (5:14–15), then calls for mutual confession and prayer. Verse 15 says “if” the sick person has committed sins; it does not say every illness is caused by personal sin.

Be careful. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him. If he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in the day, and seven times returns, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”

Context: Jesus tells his disciples to rebuke wrongdoing and forgive a brother who repents, even repeatedly in one day. Both the rebuke and the repentance are explicit; this passage should not be reduced to pretending no wrong occurred.

If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men.

Context: Paul’s surrounding instructions reject revenge and call for doing good to an enemy (Romans 12:17–21). Here, “if it is possible” and “as much as it is up to you” acknowledge that peace is not entirely one person’s decision.

He who conceals his sins doesn’t prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

Context: This proverb places confessing sins alongside renouncing them. It contrasts that response with concealment; it is not a promise that an apology cancels every consequence or immediately repairs trust.

“If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Context: Jesus has been teaching about anger and insulting a brother (Matthew 5:21–22). His altar illustration gives reconciliation urgency when someone has a grievance against the worshiper; it does not promise that every attempt will be accepted.