# Bible Verses About Forgiveness

Canonical page: https://lucernia.app/bible-verses/forgiveness/

The Bible's verses about forgiveness hold two things together: God freely forgives those who confess their sin, and those he forgives are called to forgive others as they have been forgiven.

## Overview

"As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us." Scripture describes God's forgiveness in vivid pictures — sins washed white as snow, cast into the depths of the sea, remembered no more — all made possible through Christ.

Forgiving others is often harder. The verses below do not pretend it is easy, but they show where the strength to forgive comes from: remembering how much we have been forgiven.

## 25 Bible verses about Forgiveness

> If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
>
> — 1 John 1:9 (KJV)

> And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
>
> — Ephesians 4:32 (KJV)

> Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
>
> — Colossians 3:13 (KJV)

> As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
>
> — Psalm 103:12 (KJV)

> Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
>
> — Isaiah 1:18 (KJV)

> For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
>
> — Matthew 6:14–15 (KJV)

> Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.
>
> — Micah 7:18–19 (KJV)

> Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
>
> — Psalm 51:10 (KJV)

> Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
>
> — 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)

> Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
>
> — Luke 6:37 (KJV)

> Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
>
> — Acts 3:19 (KJV)

> There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
>
> — Romans 8:1 (KJV)

> I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.
>
> — Isaiah 43:25 (KJV)

> Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
>
> — Psalm 32:1 (KJV)

> Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
>
> — Matthew 18:21–22 (KJV)

> For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
>
> — Hebrews 8:12 (KJV)

> For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
>
> — Psalm 86:5 (KJV)

> And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
>
> — Mark 11:25 (KJV)

> Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
>
> — Luke 23:34 (KJV)

> He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
>
> — Proverbs 28:13 (KJV)

> In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
>
> — Ephesians 1:7 (KJV)

> If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.
>
> — Psalm 130:3–4 (KJV)

> And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
>
> — Luke 15:20 (KJV)

> For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
>
> — Romans 3:23–24 (KJV)

> If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
>
> — 2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)

## Frequently asked questions

### What Bible verse talks about God's forgiveness?

1 John 1:9 is the classic promise: if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Psalm 103:12 and Isaiah 1:18 picture how complete that forgiveness is.

### How many times should we forgive according to Jesus?

When Peter asked if seven times was enough, Jesus answered "until seventy times seven" (Matthew 18:21–22) — a way of saying forgiveness should not keep count.

## Related pages

- [Ephesians 2:8-9 Meaning & Explanation](https://lucernia.app/bible/ephesians-2-8-9.md)
- [Romans 3:23 Meaning & Explanation](https://lucernia.app/bible/romans-3-23.md)
- [What does the Bible say about forgiveness?](https://lucernia.app/answers/forgiveness.md)
- [What does the Bible say about anger?](https://lucernia.app/answers/anger.md)

Last updated: 2026-11-01