Why does the Bible prescribe death for blasphemy (Leviticus 24:16) when Jesus taught forgiveness?

1. Understanding the Context of Leviticus 24:16

Leviticus 24:16 states, “Whoever blasphemes the name of the LORD must surely be put to death. The whole assembly must surely stone him. Whether an alien or a native, when he blasphemes the Name, he must be put to death.” This prescription appears in a section of Leviticus detailing holiness laws for ancient Israel. These laws reflect a covenant relationship in which Israel served not only as a religious community but also as a nation under divine authority.

Under the Old Covenant, the people of Israel functioned as a theocracy: the civil and religious codes were intertwined. Blasphemy—speaking or acting in a way that dishonors God—was understood as an affront directly against the Creator and the covenant itself. This transgression was likened to treason in a government setting, requiring the most serious penalty. Archaeological finds such as the Dead Sea Scrolls confirm the consistency of these early texts, providing copies that mirror the Masoretic tradition in which these commandments were preserved. Such manuscripts highlight the care with which these severe laws were recorded and transmitted.

2. The Holiness of God and the Weight of Blasphemy

In the Old Testament, God’s holiness is a central theme. Passages like Leviticus 10:3 communicate the idea that God must be regarded as holy among His people. Blasphemy attacks the very character of God, rejecting His authority and diminishing His honor. For a people chosen to represent divine holiness to surrounding nations (Exodus 19:5–6), preserving reverence was essential to conveying an accurate portrayal of God’s nature.

The death penalty for blasphemy further emphasized the seriousness of speech and worship. Words have power, and in a theocratic context, publicly opposing or cursing God threatened communal well-being. By extension, this penalty also served as a deterrent, signaling that the covenant community’s purity was vital.

3. Distinguishing the Old Covenant from the New

While the Old Covenant laid down civil and ceremonial laws for Israel, the New Covenant—initiated through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ—marks a different administration of God’s relationship with His people. The Old Covenant laws served a specific purpose in a distinct historical context. As the New Testament authors explain, those regulations were “a shadow of the things to come, but the reality is found in Christ” (Colossians 2:17).

Scripture does not contradict itself but progressively reveals God’s plan. Jesus affirms the holiness and authority of God while also inaugurating a new way of life through grace (John 1:17). He cautions that “heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35). The character of God does not change. However, the manner in which His people interact with Him and represent His covenant shifts from a geographically and politically defined nation to a worldwide community of believers in Christ.

4. Jesus’ Teaching on Forgiveness

Jesus’ ministry exhibits and commands profound forgiveness, consistently urging repentance and offering mercy. He teaches, “If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over” (Matthew 18:15). He also instructs that one ought to forgive “seventy-seven times” (Matthew 18:22), indicating boundless forgiveness for those who repent.

When confronted with an adulterous woman, Jesus proclaims, “Neither do I condemn you. Go now and sin no more” (John 8:11). This statement illustrates an approach that upholds God’s holiness (sin is still sin) while providing an opportunity for repentance and transformation without immediate civil or physical penalties. The emphasis shifts from national covenantal law to personal reconciliation with God.

5. Reconciling Old Testament Law with Jesus’ Call to Forgive

The continuity between the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus can be understood through the lenses of covenant, fulfillment, and purpose:

• Covenant Nature: Under the Mosaic covenant, Israel was mandated to enforce God’s holiness within a theocracy. Blasphemy warranted the severest civil penalty. In the New Covenant, Christ’s kingdom is not defined by borders or enforced by a civil judicial system; rather, it is defined by spiritual regeneration, spreading throughout the world. Civil punishments for religious transgressions are no longer the model for God’s people.

• Fulfillment in Christ: Jesus affirms that He “did not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17). He accomplishes the ultimate sacrifice that the Old Covenant system foreshadowed. While the moral weight of blasphemy remains unchanged, Christ’s atoning death offers the possibility of redemption rather than immediate capital punishment.

• Purpose of the Law: The law underscores human sinfulness and the need for atonement, pointing to the necessity of a Savior (Romans 3:20–24). In the New Testament era, God’s people uphold His holiness through genuine worship and faithful living, and they do so by pointing to the transformative power of Christ’s sacrifice.

6. The Unchanging Consequences of Sin and the Offer of Salvation

Romans 6:23 teaches that “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”. This truth acknowledges that sin, including blasphemy, remains a grave offense deserving spiritual death. However, God has Himself provided the solution in Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Though Old Testament Israel employed civil execution to purge the community of willful blasphemy, believers now recognize that final judgment belongs to God. Jesus’ provision of salvation pivots humanity from the penalty of sin to the hope of forgiveness and new life by grace.

There is still a warning for those who perpetually reject God’s holiness. In passages like Hebrews 10:29, willful disregard for Christ’s sacrifice is portrayed as trampling underfoot the Son of God. Though the earthly penalty under the Old Covenant sought to maintain corporate holiness, eternal consequences remain in place even under the New Covenant. Yet the surpassing message is one of forgiveness through repentance in Christ, who bore the penalty once and for all.

7. Conclusion: Holiness, Justice, and Grace in Unity

Leviticus 24:16’s prescription of death for blasphemy reflects the seriousness of dishonoring the Creator in a theocratic nation explicitly founded to showcase God’s holiness. Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness does not erase God’s hatred of sin; rather, He provides the means for reconciliation through His transformative sacrifice.

The Old Testament law and the New Testament gospel harmonize in revealing a God whose holiness is unchanging yet whose grace extends to all who repent. The transition from the civil punishments of a national covenant to the global proclamation of forgiveness through Christ highlights the continuity of God’s character and the unfolding of His redemptive plan. Blasphemy remains a grave offense, and the just consequence of sin is death—but in Christ, divine mercy triumphs, offering forgiveness and restoration for all who turn to Him.