There are many Bible verses that teach us how to forgive others who have hurt us.
God first showed us what forgiveness means when He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins. Through Jesus’ death on the cross, God opened the door to forgiveness and His kingdom for all who believe in Jesus Christ.
Sometimes it may be the actions or words of our closest friends, family members, or coworkers that hurt us deeply. We may feel like the wound is so deep that there is no room for forgiveness.
But before finalizing that thought, let’s take a moment to reflect on ourselves—how sinful we are, yet God loved us and sent His Son to save us. Jesus Himself showed us the perfect example of forgiveness.
Even when people mocked Him, beat Him, and nailed Him to the cross, He still forgave them. He prayed to God saying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34, NKJV).
If Jesus could forgive such great hurt, we too can learn to forgive others with God’s help.
Let these Bible verses about forgiveness guide you to heal your heart and find the strength to forgive those who have hurt you:
1. Matthew 6:14-15
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
2. Luke 23:34
“Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.'”
3. Colossians 3:13
“Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”
4. Ephesians 4:32
“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
5. Mark 11:25
“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.”
6. Matthew 18:21-22
“Then Peter came to Him and said, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.'”
7. 1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
8. Proverbs 17:9
“He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates friends.”
9. Luke 6:37
“Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
10. Matthew 5:44
“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”
11. Romans 12:17-18
“Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”
12. Psalm 103:10-12
“He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”
13. Isaiah 43:25
“I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins.”
14. 2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
15. Romans 12:21
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
16. Proverbs 10:12
“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins.”
17. Matthew 18:35
“So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”
18. James 5:16
“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.”
19. 1 Peter 4:8
“And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins.'”
20. Ephesians 4:26-27
“Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.”
21. Hebrews 12:14
“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.”
22. Matthew 5:23-24
“Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something 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.”
23. Isaiah 1:18
“‘Come now, and let us reason together,’ says the Lord, ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.'”
24. Acts 3:19
“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.”
25. Romans 5:8
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
