The Bible does not explicitly say with a single verse "life begins at conception," but several key scriptures are commonly interpreted to support this belief.
Key Bible Verses Cited for Life Beginning at Conception
- Jeremiah 1:5 — "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee..." This verse suggests God's knowledge and purpose for a person exist before physical birth, implying life and personhood begin early, even at conception.
- Psalm 139:13-16 — "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb... Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." This passage indicates God is actively involved in the formation of life before birth, honoring the sanctity of life starting in the womb.
- Luke 1:41-44 — Describes John the Baptist leaping in his mother Elizabeth's womb upon hearing Mary's greeting, which is seen as evidence of unborn personhood and recognition of Jesus even before birth.
Other verses like Exodus 20:13 ("Thou shalt not kill") are interpreted to apply to all human life, including unborn.
Theological Understanding
These verses collectively are used by many Christian traditions to affirm that life is sacred from the moment of conception because God's involvement and recognition of human life precedes birth. The belief shapes moral and ethical views, especially regarding abortion and reproductive rights.
Summary
While the Bible does not explicitly state "life begins at conception," scriptures such as Jeremiah 1:5, Psalm 139:13-16, and Luke 1:41-44 strongly imply that life and personhood exist before birth, which is commonly interpreted as life beginning at conception in Christian theology.