“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”
(Psalm 56:3 ESV)
You might be surprised to learn that “do not be afraid” or some version of it (e.g., do not fear; fear not) is the most repeated command in the Bible! Here’s a big list of most of the places where we see the command “do not be afraid” in the Bible.
The Good News You Have to Hear
Before you read these verses that say “do not be afraid,” “do not fear,” and “fear not,” we want to share with you the Good News.
One of the verses below says, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11 ESV). Long ago, God sent us a Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus lived the life we could not live, died the death our sins deserve, and rose from the dead. Out of his great love for us, Jesus bore the wrath of God that our sins warrant while dying on a cross. He did this so that he might reconcile our relationship with God (1 Peter 3:18).
What we should fear the most is God himself. God is a perfectly righteous judge who must deal with our sin and who promises to do so in eternity. Yet, God loves us, so he sent his Son to save us from the judgment we deserve, that our sins might be thrown into the sea forever (Micah 7:19), and God’s love poured out on us instead of his wrath.
The book of John promises: “all who did receive him [Jesus], who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12-13 ESV).
If you put your faith in Jesus, God delivers you from the worst fear facing all of us—the wrath of God and his condemnation toward our sin—and he brings you into his family, making you a child of God. By faith in Jesus, God becomes your Father, and cares for you as a good father cares for his children. One of the greatest gifts God gives his children is peace. He does not want his children to fear, but to trust him.
If you have trusted in Jesus, then God is your Father, and he will never leave or forsake you. The echo throughout the Bible of “do not be afraid” is his earnest command to you, and his promise “for I am with you” is an unshakable eternal promise that you can trust (Matthew 28:20), proven by his great love for you demonstrated in Jesus.
Pay Attention to Reasons God Gives Us To Not Be Afraid
As you read the following Bible verses, pay careful attention to the reasons God gives his people to not be afraid. You will notice some repeated promises. Most often, God’s command to not be afraid is followed by his promise, “for I am with you.” In the Old Testament, we often hear God tell his people not to be afraid in battle and he follows that command with “for the Lord your God fights for you.” You’ll also notice that God often speaks to individuals about their specific fears.
We have included a note about the context where each verse is found. Remember that some of these verses are direct commands to us, but some of them are commands God gave to particular people in specific situations in the past.
We pray that the Lord would use this article to give you courage, and that as you read it, you would hear loud and clear God’s Word from the Bible—“Do not be afraid.”
“Do Not Be Afraid” Bible Verses
1. Genesis 46:3
And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes.” (Genesis 46:2-4 ESV)
Context: Jacob moves from Canaan to Egypt to be with his son Joseph (Read Genesis 37-50).
2. Deuteronomy 1:29
Where are we going up? Our brothers have made our hearts melt, saying, “The people are greater and taller than we. The cities are great and fortified up to heaven. And besides, we have seen the sons of the Anakim there.” Then I said to you, “Do not be in dread or afraid of them. The Lord your God who goes before you will himself fight for you, just as he did for you in Egypt before your eyes.” (Deuteronomy 1:28-30 ESV)
Context: The Israelites are afraid to occupy the Promised Land because the Canaanites who live there are formidable (Read Deuteronomy 1).
3. Deuteronomy 7:18
If you say in your heart, “These nations are greater than I. How can I dispossess them?” You shall not be afraid of them but you shall remember what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt, the great trials that your eyes saw, the signs, the wonders, the mighty hand, and the outstretched arm, by which the Lord your God brought you out. So will the Lord your God do to all the peoples of whom you are afraid. (Deuteronomy 7:17-19 ESV)
Context: The Israelites are afraid to occupy the Promised Land because the Canaanites who live there are formidable (Read Deuteronomy 7).
4. Deuteronomy 18:22
When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him. (Deuteronomy 18:22 ESV)
Context: The Israelites should not fear prophets who speak falsely in the Lord’s name (Read Deuteronomy 18:15-22).
5. Deuteronomy 20:1
“When you go out to war against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 20:1 ESV)
Context: God gives the Israelites instructions about warfare (Read Deuteronomy 20).
6. Joshua 10:25
And Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid or dismayed; be strong and courageous. For thus the Lord will do to all your enemies against whom you fight.” (Joshua 10:25 ESV)
Context: Joshua prepares the Israelites to conquer the Promised Land, after he has defeated the five kings of the Amorites on the day the sun stood still (Read Joshua 10).
7. Joshua 11:6
And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them, for tomorrow at this time I will give over all of them, slain, to Israel. You shall hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire.” (Joshua 11:6 ESV)
Context: Joshua leads the Israelites into conquest of the northern cities of Canaan. A huge army comes against Joshua and the Israelites, but the Lord promises them victory (Read Joshua 11).
8. 1 Samuel 12:20
And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart.” (1 Samuel 12:20 ESV)
Context: Samuel comforts the Israelites that despite their evil ways, God will not turn from them (Read 1 Samuel 8-12).
9. 2 Kings 1:15
Again the king sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up and came and fell on his knees before Elijah and entreated him, “O man of God, please let my life, and the life of these fifty servants of yours, be precious in your sight. Behold, fire came down from heaven and consumed the two former captains of fifty men with their fifties, but now let my life be precious in your sight.” Then the angel of the Lord said to Elijah, “Go down with him; do not be afraid of him.” So he arose and went down with him to the king and said to him, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Because you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron—is it because there is no God in Israel to inquire of his word?—therefore you shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.’” (2 Kings 1:13-16 ESV)
Context: God sends Elijah to the king of Samaria (the northern kingdom of Israel) to tell him that he will surely die, despite the king of Samaria sending multiple groups of people to kill Elijah (Read 2 Kings 1).
10. 2 Kings 6:16
He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:16-17 ESV)
Context: Elisha comforts his servant looking at a vast enemy army, and the Lord shows Elisha’s servant the angels of the Lord ready to fight the army of the king of Syria on their behalf (Read 2 Kings 6:8-23).
11. 2 Kings 19:6
Isaiah said to them, “Say to your master, ‘Thus says the Lord: Do not be afraid because of the words that you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have reviled me. Behold, I will put a spirit in him, so that he shall hear a rumor and return to his own land, and I will make him fall by the sword in his own land.’” (2 Kings 19:6-7 ESV)
Context: Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, has come to siege Jerusalem, but the prophet Isaiah tells King Hezekiah to wait for the Lord’s deliverance. That night the angel of the Lord killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. King Hezekiah encourages the Jews in the face of King Sennacherib’s huge Assyrian army besieging Jerusalem (Read 2 Kings 18-19, 2 Chronicles 32, and Isaiah 36-37 for similar context).
12. 1 Chronicles 28:20
Then David said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the Lord God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished.” (1 Chronicles 28:20 ESV)
Context: David is about to die and hands over the thrown to his son, Solomon, who plans to build a temple for the Lord, according to God’s promise (Read 1 Chronicles 28-29).
13. 2 Chronicles 20:15, 17
And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s. Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley, east of the wilderness of Jeruel. You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ “Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.” (2 Chronicles 20:15-17 ESV)
Context: Through the Spirit, the priest Jahaziel tells King Jehoshaphat and the assembly of the people of Judah that the Lord will deliver them from the great horde of soldiers of Moabites and Ammonites coming to attack Jerusalem (Read 2 Chronicles 20).
14. 2 Chronicles 32:7
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. (2 Chronicles 32:7-8 ESV)
Context: King Hezekiah encourages the Jews in the face of King Sennacherib’s huge Assyrian army besieging Jerusalem (Read 2 Kings 18-19, 2 Chronicles 32, and Isaiah 36-37 for similar context).
15. Nehemiah 4:14
And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.” (Nehemiah 4:14 ESV)
Context: Nehemiah encourages the returning Jewish exiles from Babylon to continue to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls despite opposition from neighboring peoples (Read Nehemiah 1-4).
16. Proverbs 3:25
Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught. (Proverbs 3:25-26 ESV)
Context: Do not fear the wicked who look to harm you, or sudden disaster because God will be with you (Read Proverbs 3).
17. Isaiah 10:24
Therefore thus says the Lord God of hosts: “O my people, who dwell in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrians when they strike with the rod and lift up their staff against you as the Egyptians did. For in a very little while my fury will come to an end, and my anger will be directed to their destruction.” (Isaiah 10:24-25 ESV)
Context: The prophet Isaiah encourages the Jews to not fear the armies of the Assyrians who have just defeated their neighbor Egypt (Read Isaiah 10:5-34).
18. Isaiah 37:6
Isaiah said to them, “Say to your master, ‘Thus says the Lord: Do not be afraid because of the words that you have heard, with which the young men of the king of Assyria have reviled me. Behold, I will put a spirit in him, so that he shall hear a rumor and return to his own land, and I will make him fall by the sword in his own land.’” (Isaiah 37:6-7 ESV)
Context: King Hezekiah encourages the Jews in the face of King Sennacherib’s huge Assyrian army besieging Jerusalem (Read 2 Kings 18-19, 2 Chronicles 32, and Isaiah 36-37 for similar context).
19. Isaiah 44:8
“Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any.” (Isaiah 44:8 ESV)
Context: A general reminder to God’s people to not fear because God is with them (Read Isaiah 44).
20. Jeremiah 1:8
Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 1:8 ESV)
Context: God tells the prophet Jeremiah he shouldn’t worry, even as he is being sent to a rebellious people who will hate the message God gives him to speak (Read Jeremiah 1).
21. Jeremiah 10:5
“Their idols are like scarecrows in a cucumber field, and they cannot speak; they have to be carried, for they cannot walk. Do not be afraid of them, for they cannot do evil, neither is it in them to do good.” (Jeremiah 10:5 ESV)
Context: A general warning to Israel to not be afraid of the idolatrous nations around her (Read Jeremiah 10).
22. Ezekiel 2:6
And you, son of man, be not afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions. Be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house. And you shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear, for they are a rebellious house.
“But you, son of man, hear what I say to you. Be not rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you.” (Ezekiel 2:6-8 ESV)
Context: God tells the prophet Ezekiel he shouldn’t worry, even as he is being sent to a rebellious people who will hate the message God gives him to speak (Read Ezekiel 2-3).
“Do Not Be Afraid” in the New Testament
23. Matthew 14:27
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” (Matthew 14:22-27 ESV)
Context: Jesus walking on the water to the boat with his terrified disciples in it (Read Matthew 14:22-33).
24. Matthew 28:5
But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.” (Matthew 28:5 ESV)
Context: An angel comforts the women at Jesus’ empty tomb (Read Matthew 28).
25. Matthew 28:10
Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” (Matthew 28:10 ESV)
Context: Jesus appears to his disciples after his resurrection (Read Matthew 28).
26. Mark 6:50
…but when they saw him [Jesus] walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” (Mark 6:49-50 ESV)
Context: Jesus walking on the water to the boat during a storm (Read Mark 6:45-52).
27. Luke 1:13
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.” (Luke 1:13 ESV)
Context: The angel Gabriel announcing to Zechariah that his wife will have a child, John the Baptist (Read Luke 1).
28. Luke 1:30
And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:30-33 ESV)
Context: The angel Gabriel announcing to Mary that despite being a virgin she will give birth to Jesus, God’s Son, our Savior (Read Luke 1).
29. Luke 5:10
But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him. (Luke 5:8-11 ESV)
Context: Jesus calls his first disciples to follow him after a miraculous catch of fish (Read Luke 5:1-11).
30. John 6:20
The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” (John 6:18-20 ESV)
Context: Jesus walking on the water in the middle of a storm to the boat that held his terrified disciples (Read John 6:16-21).
31. Acts 18:9
And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” (Acts 18:9-10 ESV)
Context: God encourages Paul to continue sharing the gospel in Corinth, which he does for 18 months, despite opposition (Read Acts 18:1-11).
32. Acts 27:24
For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, and he said, “Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.” (Acts 27:23-24 ESV)
Context: In the midst of a storm in the Mediterranean Sea, Paul is told by an angel to take heart, nobody is going to die, even as the boat shipwrecks later on the island of Malta (Read Acts 27).
Bible Verses that say “I Will Not Be Afraid”
33. Psalm 3:6
But you, O Lord, are a shield about me…I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. (Psalm 3:3, 6 ESV)
Context: Read Psalm 3
34. Psalm 27:1
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1 ESV)
Context: Read Psalm 27
35. Psalm 56:3, 4
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? (Psalm 56:3-4 ESV)
Context: Read Psalm 56
36. Isaiah 12:2
“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” (Isaiah 12:2 ESV)
Context: Read Isaiah 12
“Do Not Fear” in the Old Testament
37. Exodus 20:20
Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.” (Exodus 20:20 ESV)
Context: Moses comforts the Israelites at the giving the Ten Commandments (Read Exodus 20).
38. Number 14:9
“Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them.” (Numbers 14:9 ESV)
Context: Moses implores the Israelites to trust God after the spies return from Canaan with a negative report about the formidable inhabitants (Read Deuteronomy 1:21 and Numbers 14).
39. Numbers 21:34
But the Lord said to Moses, “Do not fear him, for I have given him into your hand, and all his people, and his land. And you shall do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon.” (Numbers 21:34 ESV)
Context: Og the king of Bashan opposes Moses as the Israelites journey to the Promised Land (Read Deuteronomy 3:2 and Numbers 21).
40. Deuteronomy 20:3
And when you draw near to the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the people and shall say to them, “Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, for the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.” (Deuteronomy 20:2-4 ESV)
Context: This verse is part of the laws about warfare God gives Moses for future battles the Israelites will face in taking the Promised Land (Read Deuteronomy 20).
41. Deuteronomy 31:6, 8
“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” (Deuteronomy 31:6-8 ESV)
Context: These words are part of Moses’s commission to Joshua as he transfers his leadership over the people of Israel to Joshua (Read Deuteronomy 31).
42. Joshua 8:1
And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear and do not be dismayed. Take all the fighting men with you, and arise, go up to Ai. See, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, and his people, his city, and his land.” (Joshua 8:1 ESV)
Context: Joshua attacks the Canaanite city of Ai (Read Joshua 8).
43. Joshua 10:8
And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands. Not a man of them shall stand before you.” (Joshua 10:8 ESV)
Context: Joshua defeats the five kings of the Amorites on the day God did a miracle for him, by making the sun stand still during a day of battle (Read Joshua 10).
44. Judges 6:23
But the Lord said to him, “Peace be to you. Do not fear; you shall not die.” (Judges 6:23 ESV)
Context: God calls Gideon to defeat the Midianites (Read Judges 6).
45. Isaiah 7:4
And the Lord said to Isaiah, “Go out to meet Ahaz, you and Shear-jashub your son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool on the highway to the Washer’s Field. And say to him, ‘Be careful, be quiet, do not fear, and do not let your heart be faint because of these two smoldering stumps of firebrands, at the fierce anger of Rezin and Syria and the son of Remaliah.’” (Isaiah 7:3-4 ESV)
Context: God tells the prophet Isaiah to tell Ahaz the king of Judah to not worry about being attacked by the kings of Syria and Samaria because he will bring their reign to an end (Read Isaiah 7).
46. Jeremiah 42:11
Do not fear the king of Babylon, of whom you are afraid. Do not fear him, declares the Lord, for I am with you, to save you and to deliver you from his hand. (Jeremiah 42:11 ESV)
Context: God tells the leaders of Judah through the prophet Jeremiah to not flee to Egypt during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem (Read Jeremiah 42).
47. Lamentations 3:57
“I called on your name, O Lord, from the depths of the pit; you heard my plea, ‘Do not close your ear to my cry for help!’ You came near when I called on you; you said, ‘Do not fear!’” (Lamentations 3:55-57 ESV)
Context: Jeremiah, the author of Lamentations, cries out to God in lament (Read Lamentations 3:55-66).
“Do Not Fear” in the New Testament
48. Matthew 1:20
But as he [Joseph] considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 1:20 ESV)
Context: An angel assures Joseph of the innocence of his wife-to-be Mary (Read Matthew 1:18-25).
49. Mark 5:36
While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” (Mark 5:35-36 ESV)
Context: Jesus says this to Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue, whose daughter just died, before he raises her from the dead (Read Mark 5:21-43 and Luke 8:40-56).
50. Revelation 2:10
Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. (Revelation 2:10 ESV)
Context: Jesus speaks to the church at Smyrna (Read Revelation 2:8-11).
“Fear Not” in the Old Testament
51. Genesis 15:1
After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” (Genesis 15:1 ESV)
Context: God makes a covenant with Abram (Read Genesis 15).
52. Genesis 21:17
And God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is.” (Genesis 21:17 ESV)
Context: An angel from God comforts Hagar in the wilderness after she is expelled from Abraham’s household (Read Genesis 15-17, 21).
53. Genesis 26:24
And the Lord appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of Abraham your father. Fear not, for I am with you and will bless you and multiply your offspring for my servant Abraham’s sake.” (Genesis 26:24 ESV)
Context: God speaks to Isaac, reassuring him of his promise while he sojourned in the land of the Philistines (Read Genesis 26).
54. Exodus 14:13
And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again.” (Exodus 14:13 ESV)
Context: Moses speaks to the Israelites before God does the miracle of parting the Red Sea (Read Exodus 14).
55. Isaiah 35:4
Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.” (Isaiah 35:4 ESV)
Context: This passage speaks of a future restoration in general terms of Israel (Read Isaiah 35).
56. Isaiah 40:9
Go on up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!” Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. (Isaiah 40:9-10 ESV)
Context: This is a general call to not fear because of the greatness of God. This passage speaks of God coming to comfort his people and save them (Read Isaiah 40).
57. Isaiah 41:10, 13, 14
But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, my friend; you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, “You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off”; fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Behold, all who are incensed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish. You shall seek those who contend with you, but you shall not find them; those who war against you shall be as nothing at all. For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I am the one who helps you, declares the Lord; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel. (Isaiah 41:8-14 ESV)
Context: This passage is a general call for Israel to trust God (Read Isaiah 41). Learn more about Isaiah 41:10 here.
58. Isaiah 43:1, 5
But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine…Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you.” (Isaiah 43:1, 5 ESV)
Context: This passage is a general call for Israel to trust God (Read Isaiah 43).
59. Isaiah 44:2
“But now hear, O Jacob my servant, Israel whom I have chosen! Thus says the Lord who made you, who formed you from the womb and will help you: Fear not, O Jacob my servant, Jeshurun whom I have chosen. For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They shall spring up among the grass like willows by flowing streams. This one will say, ‘I am the Lord’s,’ another will call on the name of Jacob, and another will write on his hand, ‘The Lord’s,’ and name himself by the name of Israel.” (Isaiah 44:1-5 ESV)
Context: This passage is a general call to Israel to trust God (Read Isaiah 44).
60. Isaiah 51:7
“Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear not the reproach of man, nor be dismayed at their revilings. For the moth will eat them up like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool, but my righteousness will be forever, and my salvation to all generations.” (Isaiah 51:7-8 ESV)
Context: A general call to those pursuing righteousness to trust God in the face of persecution (Read Isaiah 51).
61. Isaiah 54:4
“Fear not, for you will not be ashamed; be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more. For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called.” (Isaiah 54:4-5 ESV)
Context: This passage is a reminder that God will make a covenant with his people, to never again be angry with them, and to love them forever (Read Isaiah 54).
62. Jeremiah 30:10
“But fear not, O Jacob my servant, nor be dismayed, O Israel, for behold, I will save you from far away, and your offspring from the land of their captivity. Jacob shall return and have quiet and ease, and none shall make him afraid.” (Jeremiah 30:10 ESV)
Context: God promises that Israel will return from Babylonian exile (Read Jeremiah 30). This verse is repeated in Jeremiah 46:27.
63. Jeremiah 46:28
“Fear not, O Jacob my servant, declares the Lord, for I am with you. I will make a full end of all the nations to which I have driven you, but of you I will not make a full end. I will discipline you in just measure, and I will by no means leave you unpunished.” (Jeremiah 46:28 ESV)
Context: God promises that Israel will return from Babylonian exile (Read Jeremiah 30).
64. Daniel 10:12
Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.” (Daniel 10:12 ESV)
Context: An angel comforts Daniel and assures him that his prayer has been heard (Discover the book of Daniel).
65. Daniel 10:19
And he said, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” (Daniel 10:19 ESV)
Context: An angel comforts Daniel after his disturbing vision (Read Daniel 10).
66. Joel 2:21, 22
“Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice; for the Lord has done great things! Fear not, you beasts of the field, for the pastures of the wilderness are green; the tree bears its fruit; the fig tree and vine give their full yield.” (Joel 2:21-22 ESV)
Context: The Lord speaks of a future time when Jerusalem will be renewed and his Spirit will be poured out on the people (this was fulfilled at Pentecost: See Acts 2; Read Joel 2:18-32).
67. Zephaniah 3:16
On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: “Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” (Zephaniah 3:16-17 ESV)
Context: God promises to restore his people and bring them great joy (Read Zephaniah 3:14-20).
68. Haggai 2:5
Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the Lord. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the Lord. Work, for I am with you, declares the Lord of hosts, according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not. (Haggai 2:4-5 ESV)
Context: God speaks through the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, upon returning from the Babylonian exile (Discover the book of Haggai; Read Ezra 3).
69. Zechariah 8:13, 15
“And as you have been a byword of cursing among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so will I save you, and you shall be a blessing. Fear not, but let your hands be strong.” For thus says the Lord of hosts: “As I purposed to bring disaster to you when your fathers provoked me to wrath, and I did not relent,” says the Lord of hosts, “so again have I purposed in these days to bring good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah; fear not.” (Zechariah 8:13-15 ESV)
Context: God speaks about the blessing he will give to his people (Read Zechariah 8).
“Fear Not” in the New Testament
70. Matthew 10:31
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:28-31 ESV)
Context: Jesus speaks to his disciples before sending them out to minister (Read Matthew 10:26-33).
71. Luke 2:10
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11 ESV)
Context: Angels announce the birth of the Savior Jesus to shepherds (Read Luke 2:1-21).
72. Luke 12:7
But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. (Luke 12:5-7 ESV)
Context: Jesus teaches his disciples (see also Matthew 10:31; Read Luke 12).
73. Luke 12:32
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32 ESV)
Context: Jesus teaches his disciples (Read Luke 12).
74. John 12:15
“Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!” (John 12:15 ESV, quoting Zechariah 9:9)
Context: Jesus rides into Jerusalem a week before his crucifixion, fulfilling a prophecy from Zechariah 9 that the promised King would come to bring salvation to Israel (Read John 12:12-19).
75. Revelation 1:17
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.” (Revelation 1:17-18 ESV)
Context: Jesus speaks to John in a vision (Read Revelation 1).