Introduction
Throughout the Bible, forgiveness is a prominent theme that brings hope and healing. These inspirational Bible stories about forgiveness remind us of the transformative power of forgiveness and God’s abundant grace—especially in a world overshadowed by hurt and betrayal.
In this blog, you’ll find Bible stories about forgiveness Old Testament, Bible stories about forgiveness New Testament, and of course Jesus example of forgiveness. Let yourself be inspired by these Bible lessons forgiveness stories.
Join us on this journey of exploration and reflection as we delve into these stories—examples of forgiveness in the Bible. Learn about the powerful impact of forgiveness on our lives and relationships, and feel encouraged to extend forgiveness to others, just like God did for us.
As a bonus, you’ll get FREE printable Bible study worksheets about forgiveness Bible stories—ready to use!
In this blog, we’ll explore some amazing stories that show how forgiveness can change everything. Let’s jump into these stories and the deep lessons they have.
What is the greatest forgiveness story in the Bible?
With no doubt, the greatest story of forgiveness (not just of the Bible) is God’s love for us. God’s forgiveness for us is so big, He sacrificed His only Son for us so we can live with God forever. God gave the ultimate sacrifice as forgiveness of sins and gave us eternal life in exchange.
Our Heavenly Father continually forgives us, despite our flaws and mistakes. This unconditional love and forgiveness is the foundation of all the inspirational Bible stories about forgiveness.
In this blog, we will explore powerful stories that exemplify the transformative power of forgiveness. Join us as we delve into these Bible stories about forgiveness and Bible verses, and discover the profound lessons they hold.
What is the best story in the Bible about forgiveness?
This post may contain affiliate links; at no extra cost for you, I get a small commission. Read our full disclosure here or in our privacy policy.
As we just saw, the greatest example of forgiveness is God’s forgiveness for us and the sacrifice of his son. But there are many more great forgiveness stories in both the Old and the New Testament. Let’s see what the best stories in the Bible are about forgiveness, by looking at Bible examples of forgiveness in both Testaments.
What does the Old Testament say about forgiveness?
We may think forgiveness came with Christ Jesus—leaving the Old Testament times without God’s forgiveness. However, this is not true—as God doesn’t change. He is the same God yesterday, today, and will always be. If He is forgiving in the NT, then He is forgiving in the OT.
The Old Testament is filled with powerful stories of forgiveness that show God’s mercy and the importance of forgiving others.
Now that we know there are Old Testament verses about forgiveness, let’s have a look at what the Old Testament has to say about forgiveness by looking at various reconciliation stories. We can learn from these Bible stories about forgiveness, as they serve as the cloud of witnesses.
Here are four key examples of short stories of forgiveness:
1. Joseph Forgives His Brothers (Genesis 45:1-15): In the book of Genesis, the story of Joseph is a profound example of forgiveness. Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery out of jealousy, causing great suffering in his life. Despite this betrayal, Joseph’s story took a turn when he rose to power in Egypt and became responsible for the food supply during a great famine. When his brothers came to Egypt seeking food during the severe famine, they did not recognize their brother Joseph. Joseph had the perfect opportunity for revenge but instead forgave them. He revealed his identity and reassured them, saying, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” Joseph’s story shows how forgiveness can bring healing and restoration to broken relationships. By forgiving his brothers, Joseph also honored his father Jacob’s legacy and ensured his family’s survival. Part of this story, in Genesis 50 verse 17, is also the first mention of forgiveness in the Bible: “Please forgive your brothers for the great wrong they did to you—for their sin in treating you so cruelly.’ So we, the servants of the God of your father, beg you to forgive our sin.” (NLT)
2. Esau Forgives Jacob (Genesis 33:1-11): The story of Jacob and his brother Esau is one of reconciliation and forgiveness. Twins Jacob and Esau had a tumultuous relationship, marked by Jacob deceiving Esau out of his birthright and blessing. This betrayal led to deep anger and bitterness from Esau. Years later, when Jacob returned to his homeland, he was filled with fear, expecting Esau’s wrath. However, instead of seeking revenge, Esau ran to meet Jacob, embraced him, and kissed him. The story of Jacob and Esau shows that forgiveness can overcome longstanding bitterness and lead to heartfelt reconciliation, proving that it’s never too late to mend broken relationships.
3. David and Saul (1 Samuel chapter 24): The story of David and King Saul is a remarkable tale of mercy and restraint. King Saul was deeply jealous of David and sought to kill him. Despite having a prime opportunity to kill Saul in a cave, King David spared his life. David showed respect for Saul as God’s anointed king and declared that he would not harm him, leaving vengeance to God. This act of forgiveness and restraint showed David’s faith and trust in God’s justice. The story of David also highlights the complexity of human relationships, as David’s best friend was Jonathan, Saul’s son, adding another layer to the tale of mercy and forgiveness.
4. God Forgives Israel (Exodus 32-34): After God delivered the Israelites from Egypt, they soon turned away and worshiped a golden calf. God was angered by their idolatry, but Moses interceded for them, pleading for God’s mercy. God forgave the Israelites, renewing His covenant with them and showing that God’s grace and forgiveness are always available, even when His people fail.
These Old Testament stories about forgiveness remind us that forgiveness is a central theme in God’s relationship with His people. They teach us the power of mercy, the potential for reconciliation, and the importance of trusting God’s plan even when wronged.
How many times is forgiveness mentioned in the Old Testament?
The concept of forgiveness is central in the Old Testament, though the exact word “forgiveness” might not be mentioned frequently. In the Old Testament, words such as “forgive,” “forgave,” and “forgiveness” appear around 40-50 times, depending on the translation.
The idea of forgiveness is woven throughout many narratives and God’s laws, such as the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16), where the sins of the people are symbolically placed on a scapegoat, and various Psalms that speak of God’s forgiving nature (e.g., Psalm 103:3, Psalm 130:4).
Even when the exact word is not used, the actions and themes of mercy, pardon, and reconciliation reflect the importance of forgiveness in the relationship between God and His people, as well as between people.
Now, let’s look at the Bible stories about forgiveness in the New Testament.
What New Testament story is about forgiveness?
The New Testament contains several powerful stories and parables that highlight the theme of forgiveness.
Here are five key examples of Bible parables forgiveness:
1. Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32): The story of the prodigal son is a profound story of forgiveness and redemption. In the story, the younger brother demands his share of the inheritance and leaves for a distant country. In this faraway land, the young man wastes his wealth on wild living. When a severe famine strikes, he finds himself destitute and decides to return home, hoping to work as a servant for his father.
Upon his return, the loving father welcomes him back with open arms, celebrating his return with a feast. This act of forgiveness angers the eldest son, who feels overlooked despite his loyalty and hard work. The father explains that the joy of the younger son’s return does not diminish his love for the eldest son. This parable highlights the grace of God, God’s boundless mercy, and the joy of reconciliation.
2. Parable of the Wicked Servant (Matthew 18:21-35 KJV): Peter approached Jesus and asked how many times he should forgive a brother who sins against him, suggesting “seven times.” Jesus responds, “I say not unto thee, until seven times: but, until seventy-seven times.” He then likens the kingdom of heaven to a king who settles accounts with his servants.
The parable of the unmerciful servant, also known as the parable of the unforgiving servant, teaches a powerful lesson about the necessity of forgiving others. In this story of unforgiveness, a wicked servant owes a massive debt to his master. When the servant cannot repay, he begs for mercy, and his master forgives the debt entirely.
However, the same wicked servant later encounters a fellow servant who owes him a small amount of silver coins. Instead of showing the same mercy he received, he demands repayment and has the fellow servant thrown into prison. When the servant’s master learns of this, he is furious and punishes the wicked servant for his lack of compassion. This parable underscores the importance of forgiving others as we have been forgiven by God.
3. Paul’s Forgiveness of Onesimus (Philemon 1): In the letter to Philemon, Paul intercedes on behalf of Onesimus, a runaway slave who has become a Christian. Paul writes to Philemon, asking him to forgive Onesimus and welcome him back not as a slave, but as a beloved brother in Christ. This story shows the transformative power of forgiveness and the new relationships formed in the Christian community.
4. The Forgiveness of the Corinthian Offender (2 Corinthians 2:5-11): In 1 Corinthians, Paul addresses a serious sin committed by a member of the Corinthian church. By the time he writes 2 Corinthians, the offender has repented, and the apostle Paul urges the church to forgive and comfort him, reaffirming their love for him. This story shows the importance of restoring relationships and offering forgiveness within the Christian community.
5. Stephen Forgives His Persecutors (book of Acts 7:54-60): Stephen, the first Christian martyr, offers a powerful example of forgiveness in his last moments. As he is being stoned to death for his faith, Stephen prays, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” His willingness to forgive his persecutors, even in the face of death, mirrors Jesus’ forgiveness on the cross and serves as a profound testament to the power of forgiveness.
All these inspirational bible stories about forgiveness and Bible stories about forgiving others are part of God’s plan for us to be more forgiving. The people in the New Testament times weren’t different from us—we can show the same forgiveness to others.
Biblical reconciliation between believers is an important part of Christian living. Who else can we learn best from than our Lord Jesus Christ? As we can learn from Colossians 313 (NLT):
“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”
What are some examples of Jesus forgiving others in the Bible?
Our Lord Jesus Christ = forgiveness. The Son of God forgave all of us, no matter what we did and no matter what we will still do—Jesus’ sacrifice covers all.
During His time on Earth, His ministry was filled with profound moments of forgiveness, showcasing His divine mercy and great love. I’ve gathered a couple of remarkable examples of Bible stories about forgiveness by Jesus Christ.
Here are six powerful Jesus stories about forgiveness:
1. The Woman Caught in Adultery (John 8:1-11): In this story, religious leaders bring a woman caught in the act of adultery before Jesus, hoping to trap Him into contradicting the Law of Moses, which prescribed stoning for such an offense. Instead of condemning her, Jesus challenges the accusers, saying, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” One by one, they leave, and Jesus tells the woman, “Neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.” This act of forgiveness emphasizes Jesus’ mercy and the importance of not judging others harshly. This is my favorite story of Jesus forgiving someone.
2. Peter’s Denial and Forgiveness (John 21:15-19): After His resurrection, Jesus appears to His disciples and has a poignant conversation with Peter, who had denied Him three times before the crucifixion. Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him, and each time Peter affirms his love. Jesus then instructs Peter to “feed my sheep,” effectively restoring Peter to his role of leadership and showing that he is forgiven. This story highlights Jesus’ willingness to forgive and restore those who have failed.
3. The Paralytic Man (Matthew 9:1-8): In this account, a paralyzed man is brought to Jesus by his friends. Seeing their faith, Jesus says to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” This statement causes an uproar among the Pharisees, who believe that only God can forgive sins. To demonstrate His authority, Jesus then tells the man to “Get up, take your mat and go home.” The man gets up and walks, astonishing the crowd. This story illustrates Jesus’ power to forgive sins and His compassion for those who seek Him.
4. The Sinful Woman Anoints Jesus’ Feet ( Luke 7:36-50): During a dinner at the house of Simon the Pharisee, a woman known to be a sinner anoints Jesus’ feet with perfume and tears, wiping them with her hair. Simon is scandalized, but Jesus tells him a parable about two debtors to illustrate the depth of the woman’s gratitude and love. Jesus then says to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven,” highlighting the great power of love and repentance in receiving forgiveness.
5. On the Cross (Luke 23:34): Even in His final moments, Jesus exemplifies ultimate forgiveness. As He is being crucified, Jesus prays for those who are executing Him, saying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” This act of forgiveness shows Jesus’ profound compassion and His commitment to forgiving even those who cause Him immense suffering.
6. The Woman with the Issue of Blood (Mark 5:25-34): A woman suffering from a bleeding condition for twelve years approaches Jesus in a crowd, believing that touching His cloak will heal her. She touches His garment and is immediately healed. Jesus feels power leave Him and asks who touched Him. The woman comes forward in fear and trembling, and Jesus says to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” While the text primarily emphasizes physical healing, it also reflects Jesus’ power to restore both physically and spiritually, acknowledging her faith and granting her peace.
These stories reflect the heart of Jesus’ message: that forgiveness is available to all, no matter the depth of their sins. His actions show that forgiveness brings healing, restoration, and a renewed relationship with God.
Download here your free Bible study worksheet printables: Bible stories and reflective questions.
Jesus’ example is powerful—an example for us to follow. We should let go of grudges and freely forgive those who hurt us (including forgiving ourselves). Better even, we can forgive and forget.
Take-Away short Bible stories about forgiveness
Forgiveness is a crucial part of our faith and daily lives—it’s deeply connected to what the Bible teaches. The Bible stories about repentance and forgiveness we delved into, show that forgiveness isn’t just about doing something—it’s a journey that can heal, restore, and bring people closer together. Each Bible story about forgiveness reminds us of how much God loves us and encourages us to show that love to others.
As you think about these inspiring stories, remember to forgive, let go of your worries, and promote peace. Choosing forgiveness empowers you and gets you on the same page as God.
Let’s live out the message of forgiveness in our own lives, showing the love and grace that Jesus gives us.
Don’t forget to download your Forgiveness Bible stories worksheets!
Want to read more? What about Bible stories about forgiving yourself.
2 Comments on 16 Inspirational Bible Stories About Forgiveness