Bible Verses About Forgiveness for Kids (KJV)
The easiest Bible verse about forgiveness for kids is Ephesians 4:32 — “forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Below are ten short King James verses about forgiving others and being forgiven, each explained in one child-level sentence.
This week’s memory verse
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”
Ephesians 4:32 (KJV)
10 KJV verses, explained for children
- 1
Ephesians 4:32
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”
What it means: Forgive the way you have been forgiven.
- 2
Matthew 6:14
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:”
What it means: Forgiving others and being forgiven are tied together.
- 3
Matthew 18:22
“Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”
What it means: Stop counting — keep forgiving.
- 4
1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
What it means: Tell God the truth about what you did — He forgives every time.
- 5
Luke 6:37
“Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:”
What it means: Be quick to forgive, slow to find fault.
- 6
Mark 11:25
“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
What it means: Don’t carry a grudge into your prayers.
- 7
Psalm 103:12
“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”
What it means: God does not keep a list of your old sins.
- 8
Proverbs 17:9
“He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.”
What it means: Bringing it up again and again breaks friendships.
- 9
Luke 23:34
“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”
What it means: Jesus forgave from the cross — nothing is too hard to forgive.
- 10
Colossians 3:13
“Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”
What it means: Even in a quarrel, be the first to forgive.
Talk about it
- What is the difference between saying sorry and really meaning it?
- Is there anyone you need to forgive today?
- Why do you think Jesus said “seventy times seven”?
Do it together
Write a wrong on a piece of paper, then tear it up together and throw it away while reading Psalm 103:12 out loud. It gives children a picture of what forgiveness actually does.
Dear God, thank You for forgiving me. Help me to say sorry quickly and to forgive other people, even when it is hard. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prodigal Son
Free printable Prodigal Son coloring page — the welcome-home robe, ring, and sandals with the KJV verse from Luke 15.
Open & printBible stories that show it
Printable memory verse cardsQuestions parents and teachers ask
What Bible verse teaches kids to forgive?
Ephesians 4:32 — “forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” It gives both the command and the reason in a single sentence.
What does “seventy times seven” mean for children?
In Matthew 18:21–22 Peter asked whether forgiving seven times was enough. Jesus answered “seventy times seven,” meaning: stop keeping count. Forgiveness is not a quota.
Which Bible story about forgiveness is best for kids?
Joseph forgiving his brothers (Genesis 45) is the strongest Old Testament example, and the Prodigal Son (Luke 15) is the clearest picture of how God receives us back.