Expert: Dean Gade - 9/6/2007

Question
Please sir, who are the martyrs in the bible and what type of death did they died.

Thank you.

Bola

Answer
The only one named as a "martyr" in the Bible is Stephen but there are references to many being put to death for their faith in both the OT and NT:

Acts 7:59-60

59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.
(from New International Version)


Heb 11:35-12:1
35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. 37 They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated- 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40 God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

(from New International Version)


Acts 26:10
On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.
(from New International Version)

There seem to be many who died in this way and people in later centuries have made long lists of who they were, but the Bible does not name most of them.