‘Capital Punishment Is Pro-Life’: Pastor Robert Jeffress Defends Biblical Case for Death Penalty
Pastor Robert Jeffress, in an interview with Crosswalk Headlines, defended capital punishment as “the highest expression” of a pro-life position and stated that public executions are not unbiblical. He also shared his thoughts and feelings on the U.S. Senate in Texas.
“Now, then the question comes up, well, should it be public or not?” the pastor said. “Well, I don’t have a real strong feeling about it. What I do have a strong feeling about is it’s not unbiblical to execute somebody publicly. The fact is, the Old Testament prescribed it. The stonings, the executions that took place were before the assembly. In the New Testament, of course, the church didn’t execute people, but they disciplined members. And the apostle Paul said, ‘those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all so that the rest were fearful of sinning.’”
Later in the interview, Jeffress shared how he would answer someone who said they were pro-life, from womb to tomb, and because of that, are against the death penalty. He would counter that the death penalty is actually the highest expression of the pro-life position.
“My simple answer to that is capital punishment is pro-life,” he said. “It’s the highest expression of the pro-life point of view. It’s as human life is a gift from God. It’s so sacred that anyone who takes it from another person ought to pay the ultimate price. That is the ultimate in pro-life.”
Pastor Jeffress’ comments about public executions came before President Trump announced on social media that his administration was changing course and that while Hasan’s execution is still scheduled, it would no longer be available for the public to view.
With the midterm elections just weeks away, he also touched on what has become one of the most closely watched races in the country – the Texas U.S. Senate race. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Republican, and James Talarico, a Democrat and a Texas state representative, are both campaigning to earn the right to represent the Lone Star State in Congress.
Talarico has mentioned religion and Christianity throughout the race. However, due to comments Talarico has made during the campaign, Jeffress says he does not consider him a Christian. Specifically, Jeffress pointed to Talarico on the subject of gender and accused him of quoting Jesus incorrectly.
“I believe James Talarico’s religious beliefs certainly don’t disqualify him from being a senator, but they do disqualify him from being a Christian, especially a Christian pastor,” Jeffress said. “You can’t claim to be a Christian and reject or contradict the teachings of Jesus.”
According to Jeffress, Talarico treats the Son of God as little more than a motivational speaker with a few nice catchphrases.
“James Talarico treats Jesus as nothing more than a barefooted, wimpy Rabbi who walked around the countryside saying nice things to people,” he said.
However, Jeffress said that Talarico would be more than welcome at his church.
Photo Credit: ©Crosswalk
Originally published October 16, 2026.
