What does the Bible say about violence?

The Bible presents violence as a manifestation of sin's curse upon humanity, evident from the very beginning, as seen in the story of Cain and Abel. In the Old Testament, we can observe both Israel and enemy nations engaging in bloodshed, demonstrating the deep-rooted nature of violence in human existence. However, the term 'violence' can also describe an intense fervor or passion, particularly in the pursuit of righteousness. Jesus spoke of this form of violence when he noted that since the days of John the Baptist, the Kingdom of Heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. This reflects a passionate striving for salvation and righteousness, highlighting that not all violence is associated with destruction and chaos, but can denote a positive, earnest pursuit of God's Kingdom.