The execution of Christ is the centerpoint of most Christian cosmology. This particular story of capital punishment has been heavily invested with meaning by Christians over the centuries. Most Christian denominations have held that Christ's execution was a unique event metaphysically. Moreover, the suffering of Christ on the cross became an iconic image, depicted over and over again in Christian artwork. This has undoubtedly colored the Christian perception of capital punishment.

While officially the Catholic Church is (with some qualifications) opposed to capital punishment, among other Christian denominations there is disagreement as to whether or not it is permissible. Furthermore, not all Christians follow the official teaching of their church on the matter. Christians in countries that practice the death penalty are more likely to support its use than those in countries in which it has been abolished, so that, for example, capital punishment has far greater support among Christians in the United States than in Europe.

Those in favor of capital punishment often point to passages in the Old Testament of the Bible that advocate the death penalty such as Genesis 9 which states, "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man." Those against tend to select passages from the New Testament that advocate love, forgiveness, and mercy. In the Antithesis of the Law, Jesus says:

You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also…" You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.
In the Pericope Adulterae of the Gospel of John, a story is told of a woman who was caught in the act of adultery. The Old Testament law demanded that she be put to death by stoning; Jesus saves her life by requiring that the first stone be cast by someone who has never sinned, and rather than take that role himself, simply tells the woman not to transgress again. Another verse quoted often by supporters of capital punishment is Romans 13:4: "But if you do evil, be afraid; for [the governing authority] does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil." Supporters point to the fact that a sword is an instrument used for killing rather than scourging.

Interpreting the Bible as a story of man's redemption through repentance to Christ, some Christians argue that by executing a murderer one is cutting short his life and taking away his opportunity to repent, and that it denies the role of his cross putting an end to all subsequent blood atonement for sins. Some conservative Christian groups who believe in a literal hell argue that all who die without repentance automatically go there, and point out that many serial killers, including Jeffrey Dahmer and Ted Bundy, became born-again Christians in prison.

Christianity is based on the teachings of Christ and so gives precedence to the New Testament of the Bible. Therefore pro-death penalty arguments that seem to give precedence to the Old Testament have been criticized by groups such as the Quakers and some non-Christian critics who wish to show inconsistency in the views of pro-capital punishment Christians. The argument generally advanced by pro-capital punishment Christians in response to this is that there is no such contradiction, because Jesus did not revoke the Old Testament law. According to this argument, the "eye for eye" passage (as here shown above) is part of a passage (Matthew 5:17-48) in which Jesus explicitly stated that he had not come to abolish the Old Testament law itself, but then spoke against certain interpretations of the law, including here one in which the law which advocated judicial retribution was being taken to endorse acts of personal revenge. [2]

Jesus Christ also acknowledged capital punishment when he was on the cross with the two murderers. The one criminal confessed that they murdered and are righteously receiving their punishment, but the other didn’t express regret, and didn’t repent. Jesus only turned to the criminal who repented and said: “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)