Fighting back tears, posted July 17, 2026, by Timothy

The Bible and Jesus do not mention the word "abortion". However, the Bible teaches that all human life is sacred and created by God. Christians interpret these teachings in different ways.

Many Christians believe life begins at conception. They point to verses like which says God knits people together in the womb. They also note that God knew the prophet Jeremiah before he was born. Jesus, too, was recognized as a person while in the womb. For example, in Luke 1, John the Baptist leaped for joy in his mother's stomach when he met the pregnant Mary. These verses lead many to conclude that ending a pregnancy is the destruction of human life. This view connects to the biblical command: "You shall not murder".

Other Christians interpret these passages differently. They emphasize that the Bible does not explicitly outlaw abortion. Some Old Testament laws suggest that a fetus does not have the same value as a mother's life. For instance, states that if a person accidentally causes a pregnant woman to miscarry, a fine is paid. But if the woman is killed, the punishment is "life for life." This implies the mother's life is valued more highly. Some Christians believe these scriptures show that a fetus is not fully a person until it is born, making abortion a matter of personal choice.

Jesus himself gave no direct teachings on abortion. He focused on love, compassion, and caring for the vulnerable. When faced with people who had broken rules, he offered grace rather than strict judgment. Therefore, Christians who oppose abortion and those who support reproductive rights both seek to follow Jesus' example of love and care in different ways.