Is Torment in the Bible Really “Torture”?

Summary Answer:

The Greek word often translated as “torment” (βασανίζω, basanizō) does not imply Roman-style torture chambers. It primarily describes:

• Inner grief
• Physical pain
• Emotional distress
• Conviction of sin
• Storms that batter but don’t destroy
• Prophetic resistance
• Labor pains
• And yes—even God’s judgment—but as testing, refining, and awakening, not unending demonic cruelty.

To import Roman torture into this word is not just bad exegesis—it’s satanic eisegesis.

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The Lexicon Misstep: Romanizing God’s Fire

BibleHub’s Thayer’s Lexicon rightly shows the evolution of the word basanizō, tracing it from its original usage:

“Properly, to test metals by the touchstone.”

This is refining language, not punishment. But then the Lexicon adds:

“To question by applying torture… to torture… to vex with grievous pains (of body or mind).”

That second use—interrogative torture—is drawn from Roman legal contexts, not God’s original meaning. It reflects Zeus’s justice, not Yahweh’s mercy. The misuse happens when theologians pluck that Roman definition and project it into eschatological passages like Revelation 14 and 20—thereby turning God into Nero.

But every usage of βασανίζω in the New Testament outside of Revelation proves that the word deals with suffering now, not eternal torture later.

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Let’s Examine the Scriptures: Torment Is NOW

1. Physical Affliction

“My servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”
(Matthew 8:6)

The servant is not in hell, nor being tortured—he’s sick. Illness. Suffering. Real pain—but temporal and treatable. This is the first time βασανίζω appears in the NT.

2. Labor Pains

“She cried out in pain as she was about to give birth.”
(Revelation 12:2)

Labor pain? That’s the most redemptive torment there is! The suffering is intense, but it brings life. So even the “heavenly woman” is tormented—yet she births the Messiah. This isn’t destruction. This is creation.

3. Storms at Sea

“The boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves.”
(Matthew 14:24; Mark 6:48)

Same Greek word: basanizō. Are the disciples being tortured? No! The storm represents the testing of faith—not some torture pit. It presses them to trust the One who walks on water.

4. Demons Recognize Jesus’ Authority

“Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time?”
(Matthew 8:29; Mark 5:7; Luke 8:28)

Even the demons know Jesus is in charge. But notice: they aren’t being tortured now. They’re afraid of judgment later, but even then, their idea of torment is tied to loss of power, not sadistic punishment. Jesus doesn’t flay demons for fun. He displaces them.

5. Lot’s Daily Distress

“Righteous Lot was tormented in his soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard.”
(2 Peter 2:8)

This torment is emotional, moral, spiritual. Conviction and grief. There’s no iron maiden. No lake of lava. Just a righteous man in a wicked city, mourning the fallenness of the world.

6. Prophets Causing Torment

“These two prophets had tormented those who dwell on the earth.”
(Revelation 11:10)

Let that sink in: God’s prophets are the ones tormenting people—with truth! So again, this torment is conscience-pricking, spiritual agitation, resistance to light—not flames and flesh and sulfur gas chambers.

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And What About Matthew 18:34? “Delivered to the Tormentors”?

Jesus tells a parable:

“And his master was angry, and delivered him to the tormentors until he should pay all that was due.”
(Matthew 18:34, KJV)

Let’s be rational. If this was about eternal conscious torment, how could the man ever pay the debt? You don’t “pay off” sin by suffering in hell. And why would God, who commands us to forgive 70×7, not practice that Himself?

This is about discipline, consequence, and the soul’s journey through suffering toward mercy—not unending torture.

Even newer translations clarify this by saying “jailers” or “debt collectors”—not “torturers.” And even if you keep “tormentors,” the point still stands: you pay, and you get out.

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The Real Fire: Sprinkled, Not Scorched

“Everyone will be salted with fire.”
(Mark 9:49)

That includes you. Me. Everyone. Not tortured—but refined. Fire tests, cleanses, and reveals. Just like the root of βασανίζω.

If torment is happening now—and clearly it is—then that tells you what kind of torment Scripture is talking about:

• Suffering
• Conviction
• Refinement
• Birth pangs
• Grief
• Testing

But not torture chambers. That’s Roman. Pagan. Satanic.

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Final Word: Roman Cruelty ≠ Divine Justice

To take the practices of Zeus’ kingdom—public executions, sulfur pits, imperial torture—and read them into God’s Word is idolatrous theology. It’s importing Caesar’s throne into the New Jerusalem.

The Kingdom of Christ doesn’t look like Nero’s court.
It looks like the Cross.

There, the true fire was poured out—on Him, not us.
There, the true torment was absorbed—by love, not wrath.

Hell is now. Torment is now.
And the fire is not to destroy you—but to awaken you.