What does the Bible say about the fear of death?
Quick answer
The Bible meets the fear of death head-on, declaring that Jesus defeated death by his resurrection and frees those “held in slavery by their fear of death.”
Death is real and the fear of it is universal. Scripture does not deny it but confronts it with the empty tomb.
Hebrews 2:14–15 says Jesus shared our humanity so that “by his death he might… free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” The grave no longer has the last word.
Paul can even taunt it: “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” For the believer, “to die is gain,” because death is the door into the presence of Christ.
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Original BibleDawn answer · reviewed 2026-06. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.