If you’ve ever wondered, “Which prophets were killed in the Bible?” you’re not alone. It’s a question that cuts deep because it touches on one of the most painful realities in Scripture God’s messengers were often rejected, persecuted, and even murdered by the very people they came to help.
This isn’t just history it’s a sobering reminder of how truth is often met with hostility. So let’s walk through the stories of the Bible’s slain prophets, and as we do, reflect on what their lives (and deaths) still mean today.
A Pattern of Rejection: The Tragic Fate of God’s Prophets
The Bible doesn’t gloss over suffering. And it certainly doesn’t hide the fact that many of God’s prophets were treated horribly some even put to death. From the Old Testament scrolls to Jesus’ own words in the Gospels, there’s a repeated theme: prophets were often killed not by enemies, but by their own people.
Jesus said it bluntly in Matthew 23:37:
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you…”
Let that sink in. These were people chosen by God, and yet their lives were often cut short by rejection and violence.
So, How Many Prophets Were Killed in the Bible?
The Bible doesn’t give us an exact number, but from Scripture and Jewish tradition, dozens of prophets were believed to have been killed some by kings, others by religious leaders, and many by ordinary people who didn’t want to hear the truth.
Here’s a breakdown of some key examples:
Killed in Jerusalem: Several prophets, including Zechariah and others, were murdered within the holy city itself.
Killed in the Old Testament: At least 7–10 prophets are explicitly mentioned or strongly implied to have been killed during Israel’s ancient history.
Jesus and Stephen’s accounts suggest the number may have been far greater than what is listed by name.
So while we don’t have a headcount, the theme is unmistakable: speaking for God was dangerous work.
Which Prophets Are Killed? A Closer Look at Their Stories
Let’s take a deeper look at some of the prophets who lost their lives because of their calling.
1. Zechariah son of Jehoiada – Stoned in the Temple
You’ll find this heart-wrenching story in 2 Chronicles 24:20–22. Zechariah, the son of a faithful priest, stood boldly to call the people back to God. How did they respond?
They stoned him to death in the very court of God’s house.
“They conspired against him, and by order of the king they stoned him to death in the courtyard of the Lord’s temple.”
This was one of the most shocking acts of betrayal in Judah’s history and it happened in the shadow of the altar.
2. Uriah the Prophet – Killed by the Sword
Not as well-known as others, Uriah appears in Jeremiah 26. Like Jeremiah, he prophesied against Jerusalem. But King Jehoiakim wouldn’t have it. Uriah tried to escape to Egypt, but the king sent men to track him down.
They brought him back and killed him with a sword, throwing his body into a common grave.
3. Isaiah – Sawed in Two (According to Jewish Tradition)
While the Bible doesn’t explicitly describe Isaiah’s death, early Jewish writings and Christian sources say he was sawn in half under King Manasseh’s reign. This gruesome fate is likely referenced in Hebrews 11:37, which speaks of the faithful who were:
“…sawn in two, killed by the sword…”
Many scholars believe this verse is referring to Isaiah.
4. Jeremiah – Rejected, Beaten, But Not Killed
Jeremiah is often called “the weeping prophet” because his life was filled with suffering. He was imprisoned, mocked, and thrown into a cistern but he wasn’t killed. That said, his message nearly cost him everything.
In Jeremiah 38, officials begged the king to put him to death. Instead, they tossed him into a muddy pit, hoping he’d die there. Only God’s hand saved him.
Jeremiah may not have died violently, but he easily ranks as the most persecuted prophet in the Bible.
5. John the Baptist – Beheaded
Jumping to the New Testament, John the Baptist is the last and greatest prophet before Jesus. He publicly rebuked King Herod for his immoral relationship and paid for it with his life.
Herod’s wife held a grudge. And after her daughter’s dance pleased the king, she demanded John’s head on a platter. You’ll find this grim scene in Matthew 14.
Who Kills the Two Prophets in Revelation?
In the book of Revelation 11, we read of two powerful prophets (often called “the two witnesses”) who testify during the end times. They perform miracles, call down plagues, and preach for 1,260 days. But after that?
“The beast… will attack them, and overpower and kill them.” – Revelation 11:7
The beast from the abyss kills them, and their bodies lie in the street for all to see. But here’s the twist they rise again after three days, proving God’s final authority.
These two may be symbolic or literal, but their story mirrors the fate of earlier prophets speaking truth, suffering death, and ultimately being vindicated.
Why Were So Many Prophets Killed?
It’s tempting to think: “Why would anyone kill a prophet?” But here’s the painful truth:
Prophets spoke what people didn’t want to hear.
They confronted sin. They called out injustice. They warned of judgment. And they often did it boldly and without apology.
People didn’t like that not then, not now.
Jesus summed it up in Luke 13:34:
“It cannot be that a prophet perish outside of Jerusalem.”
This wasn’t a dig at the city, but a lament. Jerusalem was supposed to be the center of worship and truth. But instead, it had become the graveyard of God’s messengers.
A City of Blood: How Many Prophets Were Killed in Jerusalem?
We don’t have an exact number, but according to Jesus and Stephen (in Acts 7:52), Jerusalem became known for killing prophets.
“Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One…”
History, tradition, and Scripture all paint Jerusalem as a place that often rejected and killed the prophets sent to her.
How Many Prophets Were Killed in the Old Testament?
Let’s look at what we can count from Scripture and tradition:
Zechariah (2 Chronicles 24)
Uriah (Jeremiah 26)
Isaiah (Jewish tradition, Hebrews 11)
Prophets in Elijah’s time – possibly hundreds
In 1 Kings 19:10, Elijah says:“The Israelites have rejected your covenant… put your prophets to death with the sword.”
So while we can name a few, it’s likely that many others died, their names lost to history, but not to God.
The Prophets’ Legacy: Not Just Death, But Faithfulness
If you’re reading this and feeling heavy, that’s okay. These stories are heartbreaking. But they’re not the end.
The Bible doesn’t glorify martyrdom but it does honor faithfulness.
The prophets didn’t die for fame or religion. They stood for truth, justice, and the voice of God in a dark world. That’s why Hebrews 11 calls them heroes of the faith, people “of whom the world was not worthy.”
What Does This Mean for Us Today?
You may never wear camel hair like John the Baptist or preach in the palace like Nathan. But every time you stand for truth every time you speak what’s right you walk the path of the prophets.
And yes, it may come with rejection. But God sees.
And He honors it.
Final Reflections
So, which prophets were killed in the Bible? The answer is more than a list of names. It’s a thread woven through Scripture that reminds us:
Truth often comes at a cost.
God’s messengers were often misunderstood.
And even when the world rejected them, heaven welcomed them home.
Their blood still speaks not of defeat, but of courage. May we learn from their boldness, and live with the same conviction.
