12 Examples of Forgiveness in the Bible
Shame loves to whisper, “You’re unlovable, unforgivable, and totally useless.” But look at Jesus with Peter—one of the clearest Biblical examples of forgiveness. Jesus doesn’t drag Peter through a guilt trip or hold a press conference on his betrayal. No “How could you?” or “Other people looked up to you!” Instead, Jesus cooks him breakfast (because carbs heal) and gently restores him with love and purpose. No shame. Just grace, eggs, and a mission.
God’s forgiveness isn’t stingy. It’s the kind that picks you up, dusts you off—like my son Barrett, who as a toddler would crash into life (and furniture) with zero awareness—and lovingly points you forward. If your past includes failure, regret, or flat-out betrayal, welcome to the club. You’re not disqualified; you’re exactly who Jesus came for. The Bible is full of messy, redeemed people—Biblical examples of forgiveness that remind us of our own stories
- David was an adulterer and murderer.
- Peter denied even knowing Jesus.
- Rahab was a prostitute.
- Solomon was full of pride.
- Paul tortured and killed Christians.
Forgiveness is what your Heavenly Father does. It is why Jesus came– to bring healing, restoration and to put our pasts behind us.
Biblical Definition of Forgiveness
There are two Old Testament words for forgive in the Bible. The first and more common one is “Salah” meaning “to practice forbearance, pardon, or forgive.” It is never used of a man forgiving another human, but only of God forgiving man.
The other Old Testament word for forgive is “Nasa” meaning to lift up, take away, bear up, or carry. It offers a beautiful visual for what God does with our sin and guilt.
The New Testament word used for forgive is “Aphíēmi“. It means to release from legal or moral obligation or consequence, to cancel, remit, or pardon. It can also mean “to go away or send away, to disregard, to let be.”
Another New Testament word for forgiveness is “Charizomai”. This word often used by the apostle Paul to emphasize the gracious nature of forgiveness. It is defined as to: grant as a favor, gratuitously, in kindness, pardon or rescue, to deliver, to forgive freely. (Source)
12 Biblical Stories of Forgiveness
There are so many Bible stories that highlight forgiveness in the Bible! Here are a few of my favorites.
1. Jacob and Esau
Esau forgives Jacob for stealing his birthright in Genesis 33. These brothers had a relationship with much difficulty and Esau’s forgiveness is one way God blesses Jacob.
2. Story of Joseph and His brothers
This is the most powerful story of forgiveness in the Old Testament in my opinion. Joseph’s brothers attempt to murder him and sell him into slavery. Years later (after many ups and downs in another country) the brothers are at his mercy.
Amazingly Joseph forgives them and shows kindness and love to them! He brings their whole family to Egypt so he can continue to provide for them.
3. God forgiving Israel in the wilderness
Time and time again in the wilderness journey (told primarily in the book of Exodus) the people of Israel disobey and complain–time and time again God forgives them. God’s great love and patience is shown through his faithful forgiveness.
4. David’s Forgiveness after an Adultery and Murder
David was called a man after God’s own heart, but he still sinned big time when he has sex with Bathsheba, lies about it, and kills her husband to cover it up.
When confronted by the prophet Nathan about his sin David says, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die.”
There were still consequences to David’s sin, as God often allows us to experience as well, but God forgave him.
5. God Spares Ninevah
God’s forgiveness when Ninevah repents is in stark contrast to Jonah’s resentful attitude. How beautiful and tender God is to this wicked city giving them a message of forgiveness after their repentance.
Examples of Forgiveness in the New Testament
1. The Woman Caught in Adultery
This story is found in John 8:1-11 is a beautiful example of forgiveness and God’s mercy. According to Old Testament law this woman should have died, but Jesus mysteriously begins writing on the ground.
Whatever he writes, it moves all of her accusers to leave from the oldest to the youngest.
Then Jesus simply tells her, “Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more.”
2. Jesus and the Paralytic
In this story found in Luke 5:17-26, Jesus is teaching in a house with a great crowd around him. 4 friends bring a man who can’t walk on a mat to be healed by Jesus and when they can’t go through the door, they climb up to the roof and wreck the roof to lower their friend down in front of Jesus.
Jesus instead of immediately healing him, tells him “your sins are forgiven”. Then after some murmuring from the crowd he tells the paralyzed man to “rise, pick up your bed and go home.” By forgiving his sins first, Jesus emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and spiritual healing over the physical healing of this man’s body.
3. Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
In this story found in Matthew 18:21-35, Jesus illustrates his command to forgive “seventy times seven” with a story of a king and two servants. The first servant has a massive debt to the king and the king orders him to be sold, along with his family and all his possessions.
The servant fall to his knees and begs for more time to pay back the debt.
The king is moved and forgives his massive debt. Immediately the servant goes out and finds another fellow servant who owes him a very small amount of money. He grabs him and chokes him saying in a loud voice, “Pay me what you owe me!”
Instead of showing the same forgiveness just extended to him, the first servant puts the other servant in prison until he can pay off his small debt.
News of this interaction reaches the king and he calls in the unmerciful servant and gives him the same punishment he bestowed on the servant who owed him money.
Jesus ends the story with an admonishment to forgive from the heart.
4. Parable of the Two Sons
This is often called the story of the Prodigal Son, but Jesus in it is really comparing two lost sons–one lost in sins and one lost in unforgiveness in this story in Luke 15:11-32.
A young man asks to inherit his wealth from his father early and wastes his entire inheritance on “wild living”. He finds himself at rock bottom eating pig slop and he decides to return to his father and beg his forgiveness.
As he approaches the family home, his father sees him and runs to him, embracing him with open arms and elevating him back to his same status in the family.
When the older son hears the party his dad has thrown for his brother he is angry and resentful. The father reminds him of his position “you are always with me and all that I have is yours” and invites him into the celebration.
The story purposefully ends without us learning if the older son embraced forgiveness or bitterness, leaving the ending as a challenge to the listener.
5. Peter’s Forgiveness
The apostle Peter denied knowing Jesus three times the night Jesus was tried and crucified. In John 21:15 we see Jesus forgiving Peter and reinstating him into ministry.
6. Apostle Paul
Paul spoke often about the good news of God’s forgiveness and he himself had experienced the life-changing power of forgiveness. Paul’s conversion and forgiveness story is found in Acts 8 and 9.
After hating Christians and persecuting them, Paul had an encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus and it changed his life!
7. Philemon and Onesimus
Onesimus was the slave of Philemon, a Christian man and he ran away from his master, possibly stealing from him as well. Later he met Paul and became a forgiven Christ-follower. Paul encouraged him to seek forgiveness from his former master and while returning him to Philemon asks for his freedom to continue to minister the gospel with Paul.
Although the short book of Philemon does not reveal whether or not Onesimus remained free Christian tradition indicates that Onesimus became the bishop (church leader) of Ephesus and Philemon became the leader of the church at Colossae–two forgiven and forgiving brothers working side by side for Christ.
What if I don’t feel forgiven or I can’t forgive others?
If you are struggling to forgive or embrace God’s forgiveness of your past, don’t allow the world, the flesh or the devil to speak lies about your status as a forgiven child of God.
You get louder with the truth!
1. Read stories of forgiveness and verses about forgiveness in the Bible
Flood yourself with the truth of God’s word to encourage and empower you! Look up all the stories in this post and Scripture and read them thoroughly. Write out your favorite verse in each story.
Journal your thoughts and prayers as you read about forgiveness in the Bible. Remember 1 Peter 4:8 “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” Let God’s love fill you as you reflect on the forgiveness of God.
2. Speak Scripture over yourself
”No, I am a beloved child of God, saved by grace and God’s masterpiece.”
“Jesus has called me to forgive 70 times 7.”
3. Pray Scripture back to God.
“God, I’m struggling to believe the fully forgiven verdict you have given me. Help me to believe like 1 John 1:9 says that you are faithful and just and have forgiven my past.”
“God I do not feel kind and compassionate right now. Fill me with your kindness and compassion and forgiveness. Help me to see this person who has wronged me as You see them. Give me wisdom in boundaries in this relationship.”
4. Have God’s people pray over you.
I hate to watch scary movies because I hate to watch people make bad decisions. Two friends in a haunted house and they say what? “Let’s split up–you take the basement and I’ll take the attic.”
No!! No! No. It is not the time to split up, it is time to call for backup.
Prayer is calling for spiritual backup. Text a Christian friend, go to your church leaders, and just say “Satan is attacking me with my past and I need some spiritual backup. Will you pray with me?”
RELATED: HOW TO PRAY: 4 SIMPLE STEPS TO GROWING YOUR PRAYER LIFE
5. Go deeper into study with these resources on forgiveness
Forgiveness is not an easy subject so I would also recommend these resources as well as seek professional mental health counseling for long-term forgiveness struggles.
- It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way
- Forgiving What You Can’t Forget
- The Gift of Forgiveness
- Philemon + Forgiveness
If you need some tools to help elevate your own Bible study be sure to grab your free copy of my Vibrant Quiet Time Bundle as your gift when you subscribe to my weekly devotional newsletter!
I pray these examples of forgiveness in the Bible encourage your heart and journey of faith today!
What questions do you have about forgiveness? How have you experienced God’s forgiveness in your life?
This was so helpful! Thank you!
Thank you so very much for this great outline on forgiveness! You have nailed it!!
I was praying for a place to lead me to Bible verses with short explanations and you did it!!
May God’s Grace and blessings be upon you.
Bless you for this! I’ve been struggling with feeling forgiven for particular sins for years. I would feel forgiven one moment, but eventually the shame and horror of my actions flood my mind again and I feel sinful and guilty all over again. Thank you for the gentle and thorough reminder of God’s forgiveness and call for us to forgive. <3
Thank you for sharing Sharon. Praying you are convinced body and soul of love and forgiveness of Your Savior for you, friend.
Forgiveness well explained.
I very much appreciate this article. This in no way intended to be critical, but you may want to have someone edit your posts before sending them out.
You may have begun doing this since 2022. You don’t want people reading your posts looking for mis-steaks! 😊