Draw a random verse about fear and see how the Bible speaks to people who are afraid, from the Psalms to the Gospels.
What the Bible Says About Fear
The phrase "fear not" or "do not be afraid" shows up many times across Scripture, and it is usually spoken to someone who has good reason to be afraid: a slave woman in the desert, a young prophet, an army facing a larger army, a girl told she will bear a child. The command is almost always attached to a promise, most often that God is present. It rarely says the danger is imaginary. Instead it tells people they are not facing it alone.
The Bible also uses "fear" in a second sense, reverent awe toward God. Proverbs calls that kind of fear the beginning of wisdom. The verses on this page focus on the first sense, dread of enemies, death, failure or the unknown, though the two are often connected, since trusting God is presented as the answer to being afraid of everything else.
Where Fear Appears
The Psalms are full of honest fear. David writes that he is afraid in Gath and trusts God anyway, and several psalms picture God as a refuge, fortress or shelter. In the historical books, Joshua, Gideon, Elijah and Hezekiah each face moments of terror and receive reassurance. Isaiah contains some of the best-known promises, addressed to a nation in exile. In the Gospels, Jesus speaks to frightened disciples in boats and storms, and the letters discuss fear of death and judgment. Revelation opens with Christ telling John not to be afraid.
Not every figure is calmed immediately. Elijah runs away and asks to die, and Job says his dread came true. The Bible lets fear be real before it offers comfort.
Ways to Use These Verses
- Draw a verse when you feel anxious and read the surrounding passage to see who was afraid and what they were facing.
- Choose one psalm of refuge and read it slowly in the evening.
- Compare a verse spoken to a person with one spoken to a whole nation.
- Write down the promise that follows each "fear not," since it explains the command.
- Share a verse with a friend who is facing something difficult.
If fear or worry feels overwhelming or does not ease, it is wise to talk with a trusted person, a pastor or a counselor about what you are carrying.
When you are ready for more, try the Bible verse randomizer for a verse from anywhere in Scripture, the random encouraging Bible verse page for a gentler pick, or browse the Bible books to read a whole passage in context.
Verses in This Collection
- Genesis 15:1 – After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
God appears to Abram in a vision, telling him not to be afraid and promising to be his shield and great reward. - Genesis 21:17 – And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is .
Hagar and Ishmael are stranded in the desert without water, and an angel calls to her from heaven, saying God has heard the boy. - Genesis 26:24 – And the LORD appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham’s sake.
God appears to Isaac at Beersheba during a tense period with neighbors and promises his presence for the sake of Abraham. - Genesis 43:23 – And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them.
Joseph's steward calms his brothers' worry about the money found in their sacks, telling them to be at peace. - Genesis 46:3 – And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:
Jacob hesitates about moving to Egypt in old age, and God tells him in a night vision to go and promises to make a nation of him there. - Genesis 50:19-21 – And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.
With their father dead, Joseph's brothers fear revenge, but he reassures them, saying God turned their wrong toward good. - Exodus 14:13-14 – And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD , which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
Trapped between Pharaoh's army and the sea, the Israelites are told by Moses to stand still and watch God act. - Exodus 20:18-20 – And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it , they removed, and stood afar off. And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.
The people tremble at Sinai's thunder and trumpet; Moses tells them not to fear, because God came to test and guide them. - Numbers 14:9 – Only rebel not ye against the LORD , neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not.
After the spies' report, Joshua and Caleb urge the people not to rebel or fear the land's inhabitants, since the Lord is with them. - Deuteronomy 20:1 – When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
The law tells Israel that when facing horses, chariots and larger armies, they should not be afraid, since God who brought them from Egypt is with them. - Deuteronomy 31:6 – Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Moses, about to die, tells the people to be strong and unafraid, since God will go with them and never leave them. - Deuteronomy 31:8 – And the LORD , he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
Moses repeats this promise to Joshua publicly, saying God goes ahead of him and will neither fail nor forsake him. - Joshua 1:9 – Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
As Joshua takes over from Moses, God commands him to be strong, not frightened, and promises to be with him wherever he goes. - Joshua 8:1 – And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land:
After the defeat at Ai caused by Achan's sin, God tells Joshua not to be afraid and gives him a fresh plan for the attack. - Judges 6:23 – And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die.
Gideon fears he will die after seeing the angel of the Lord, but God reassures him he will not. - Ruth 3:11 – And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.
Boaz calms Ruth's nervousness at the threshing floor and promises to do what is right for her. - 1 Samuel 12:20-22 – And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD , but serve the LORD with all your heart; And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things , which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain. For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.
After Israel demands a king, Samuel tells them not to be afraid even though they did wrong, but to serve God wholeheartedly. - 1 Samuel 22:23 – Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard.
David tells the priest Abiathar to stay with him, since the man hunting David also hunts him, and with David he would be safe. - 1 Samuel 23:16-17 – And Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God. And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.
Jonathan visits David in the wilderness while Saul hunts him and encourages him not to fear, saying David will be king. - 2 Samuel 9:7 – And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.
David tells Mephibosheth, Jonathan's disabled son, not to fear; he will be shown kindness and given a place at the king's table. - 1 Kings 17:13 – And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.
Elijah tells a poor widow in Zarephath not to be afraid and to feed him first, promising that her flour and oil will last. - 1 Kings 19:3-4 – And when he saw that , he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD , take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.
After threats from Queen Jezebel, Elijah runs for his life into the wilderness and asks to die, showing how fear exhausts even prophets. - 2 Kings 6:15-17 – And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD , I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
Elisha's servant panics when surrounded by an army; Elisha prays and the servant sees fiery horses and chariots around them. - 2 Kings 19:6 – And Isaiah said unto them, Thus shall ye say to your master, Thus saith the LORD , Be not afraid of the words which thou hast heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me.
Isaiah tells Hezekiah's officials not to be afraid of the Assyrian king's blasphemous messages, as God will deal with him. - 1 Chronicles 28:20 – And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD .
David encourages Solomon before the temple project, telling him to be strong and not afraid because God will not leave him. - 2 Chronicles 20:15 – And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
Facing a huge invading army, King Jehoshaphat hears from a prophet that the battle belongs to God, not to Judah. - 2 Chronicles 20:17 – Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still , and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.
The prophet adds that Judah will not need to fight; they only need to take position and watch God's rescue. - 2 Chronicles 32:7-8 – Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
Hezekiah encourages his officers as Assyria threatens Jerusalem, saying there is a greater power with them than with the invaders. - Nehemiah 4:14 – And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.
With enemies threatening the wall builders, Nehemiah tells families to remember the Lord and fight for their homes. - Job 3:25 – For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.
In his deepest suffering, Job says the thing he dreaded had come upon him, showing how fear and loss can go together. - Job 11:18-19 – And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety. Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee.
Zophar, one of Job's friends, describes security and rest for the person who turns to God, though he misjudges Job's situation. - Psalm 3:5-6 – I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
David, fleeing from his son Absalom, still sleeps and wakes up safely, and says he will not be afraid of thousands of enemies. - Psalm 4:8 – I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD , only makest me dwell in safety.
An evening prayer of David: he lies down in peace and sleeps, believing God alone keeps him safe. - Psalm 18:4-6 – The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. In my distress I called upon the LORD , and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.
David describes being surrounded by death and distress, calling to God, who hears him from his temple. - Psalm 23:4 – Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
David pictures walking through a dark valley without fear, because God as his shepherd is with him with rod and staff. - Psalm 27:1 – The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
David calls the Lord his light, salvation and stronghold, and asks who there could be to dread. - Psalm 27:3 – Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
David says that even if an army encamps against him, his heart will not fear, since his confidence stays in God. - Psalm 34:4 – I sought the LORD , and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
David writes after escaping danger among the Philistines, and says he sought the Lord, who answered and freed him from all his fears. - Psalm 34:7 – The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
The angel of the Lord is pictured camping around those who fear him, to rescue them. - Psalm 46:1-3 – God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
This psalm calls God a refuge and strength, a help in trouble, so that even earthquakes and roaring seas need not shake us. - Psalm 55:5-6 – Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.
David describes fear and trembling closing in and wishes for wings of a dove to fly away, an honest picture of anxiety. - Psalm 56:3-4 – What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
David, captured by the Philistines in Gath, admits to being afraid and then chooses to trust God. - Psalm 62:1-2 – Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.
David waits in silence for God alone, calling him his rock, salvation and fortress, so that he will not be greatly shaken. - Psalm 91:1-2 – He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD , He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
This psalm speaks of those who live in God's shelter, calling him a refuge and fortress in whom the speaker trusts. - Psalm 91:5-6 – Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
The psalmist lists dangers by night and by day, such as arrows and plague, and says the one sheltered in God need not dread them. - Psalm 94:19 – In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.
When many anxious thoughts crowded the psalmist's mind, God's comfort brought delight to his soul. - Psalm 112:7-8 – He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD . His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.
The righteous person is described as steady and unafraid of bad news, trusting the Lord and calmly facing enemies. - Psalm 118:6 – The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
The psalmist declares that with the Lord on his side he will not fear, asking what a human can do to him. - Psalm 138:7 – Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.
David says that even when walking in trouble, God will preserve his life and stretch out his hand against his enemies. - Proverbs 1:33 – But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
Wisdom promises that whoever listens to her will dwell safely and be at ease from fear of evil. - Proverbs 3:24-26 – When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
The writer promises that those who keep wisdom will sleep without terror and not fear sudden disaster. - Proverbs 29:25 – The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
The proverb contrasts being trapped by fear of people with the safety found in trusting the Lord. - Isaiah 8:12-13 – Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
God tells Isaiah not to share the people's fears or panic, but to treat the Lord as holy and the one to revere. - Isaiah 12:2 – Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
In a song of the saved, the speaker declares that God is his salvation, so he will trust and not be afraid. - Isaiah 35:4 – Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.
The prophet speaks to anxious people, telling them to be strong because God comes to save them. - Isaiah 41:10 – Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
God tells Israel, in exile or facing it, not to fear because he is with them, strengthening and holding them up. - Isaiah 41:13 – For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.
God says he holds his people's right hand and tells them not to fear, because he will help them. - Isaiah 43:1-2 – But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
God says he has called Israel by name, and promises to be with them through waters and fire. - Isaiah 51:7 – Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.
God speaks to people who know what is right, telling them not to fear the reproach of mere mortals. - Isaiah 54:4 – Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.
God tells Zion not to fear shame or disgrace, as past humiliation will be forgotten. - Jeremiah 1:8 – Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD .
When young Jeremiah protests that he is too young to speak, God tells him not to fear people, as he will be with him. - Jeremiah 1:17 – Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them.
God tells Jeremiah to get ready and tell people everything, and not to be terrified of them. - Jeremiah 30:10 – Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD ; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid.
God tells Jacob's descendants, scattered in exile, not to fear because he will bring them home and give them quiet. - Lamentations 3:55-57 – I called upon thy name, O LORD , out of the low dungeon. Thou hast heard my voice: hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry. Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not.
In the middle of a book of grief, the speaker remembers calling out from the depths and God answering, telling him not to fear. - Ezekiel 2:6 – And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.
God tells Ezekiel not to fear the people or their words, though they are rebellious like thorns and scorpions. - Daniel 6:20-22 – And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.
Daniel is thrown into the lions' den; at dawn the king finds him alive, and Daniel says God sent an angel to shut their mouths. - Daniel 10:12 – Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.
After Daniel fasts and prays, a heavenly messenger tells him not to fear, because his words were heard from the first day. - Daniel 10:19 – And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.
The messenger tells Daniel, who is weak and trembling, that he is highly esteemed and should have peace and be strong. - Zephaniah 3:16-17 – In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
Jerusalem is told not to fear, because God is among them as a mighty savior who rejoices over them. - Matthew 1:20 – But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
An angel appears to Joseph in a dream and tells him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife. - Matthew 8:26 – And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
In a boat during a storm, the disciples wake Jesus in terror; he asks why they are fearful, then calms the wind and sea. - Matthew 10:28 – And 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.
Sending out the disciples, Jesus tells them not to fear those who can kill the body but cannot touch the soul. - Matthew 10:29-31 – Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Jesus tells the disciples that God sees every sparrow and knows the hairs on their heads, so they are worth more than many sparrows. - Matthew 14:27 – But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
Jesus walks toward the disciples on the lake at night and tells them to take courage, since it is he. - Matthew 14:30-31 – But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
Peter walks toward Jesus on the water but panics at the wind, begins to sink, and Jesus immediately reaches out to catch him. - Matthew 17:7 – And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
On the mountain after the transfiguration, the frightened disciples fall down, and Jesus touches them and tells them to get up and not be afraid. - Matthew 28:5 – And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
At the empty tomb, an angel tells the women that the crucified Jesus has risen and that they should not be afraid. - Mark 4:40 – And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
After calming the storm, Jesus asks the disciples why they were so afraid and whether they still had no faith. - Mark 5:36 – As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.
Just after Jairus is told his daughter has died, Jesus tells him not to fear but to keep believing. - Luke 1:13 – But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
The angel Gabriel tells Zechariah, startled in the temple, that his prayer has been heard and that Elizabeth will bear a son. - Luke 1:30 – And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
Gabriel tells Mary she has found favor with God and need not be afraid, announcing that she will bear a son named Jesus. - Luke 2:10 – And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
An angel tells terrified shepherds he brings good news of great joy for all people, the birth of a savior. - Luke 5:10 – And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
After a huge catch of fish leaves Peter overwhelmed, Jesus tells him not to be afraid and calls him to catch people. - John 6:20 – But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.
The disciples see Jesus walking on the sea in a storm and are terrified; he identifies himself and tells them not to fear. - John 14:1 – Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
On the night before his death, Jesus tells his troubled disciples to trust God and trust him. - John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Jesus leaves his disciples a peace unlike the world's, and tells them not to let their hearts be troubled or afraid. - John 16:33 – These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Jesus tells the disciples they will have trouble in the world but should take heart, since he has overcome it. - Acts 18:9-10 – Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.
In Corinth, the Lord speaks to Paul in a vision at night, telling him to keep speaking because he is with him. - Acts 27:23-25 – For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Cæsar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
During a storm at sea, an angel tells Paul that he will stand before Caesar and that everyone on the ship will be spared. - Romans 8:15 – For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Paul says believers have received a spirit of adoption instead of fear, which lets them call God Father. - Romans 8:31 – What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
After describing God's purposes for believers, Paul asks what any opposition can amount to if God is for us. - Romans 8:38-39 – For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Paul lists death, life, powers, present and future, and says none can separate believers from God's love in Christ. - 2 Timothy 1:7 – For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Paul reminds Timothy, who seems timid, that God gives a spirit of power, love and self-discipline rather than fear. - Hebrews 2:14-15 – Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
The writer says Christ shared human flesh so that he could free people who lived in lifelong slavery to the fear of death. - Hebrews 13:5-6 – Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
Citing God's promise never to leave or forsake, the writer says believers can say the Lord is their helper and they will not fear. - 1 Peter 3:14 – But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye : and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
Peter tells believers who suffer for doing right that they are blessed and should not fear their persecutors or be troubled. - 1 Peter 5:7 – Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Peter urges believers to hand over all their worries to God, because he cares about them. - 1 John 4:18 – There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
John writes that perfect love drives out fear, because fear is connected with punishment. - Revelation 1:17-18 – And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
John falls like a dead man at the vision of the risen Christ, who lays his hand on him and says not to fear. - Revelation 2:10 – Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Jesus tells the church at Smyrna not to be afraid of coming suffering and to stay faithful even to death.
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