Children are a blessing from God, and every parent looks forward to welcoming their newborn baby. However, the excitement of the expecting mother and father can be cut short through a miscarriage, a situation no human being controls. This may leave the grieving parents saddened and devastated, with the hope of seeing their little one day. This brings us to the question, “do miscarried babies go to heaven?’’
No single scripture in the Bible explicitly assures people that miscarried babies go to heaven. However, the term miscarriage is mentioned in Exodus 23:26 and Hosea 9:14 as a curse and a blessing, respectively. Many bible scholars and theologians have agreed over the years that miscarried babies go to heaven, supporting this argument with several scriptures in the Bible.
So, are babies innocent, according to the Bible? What happens to miscarried babies? Does God give grace to babies? Read on to find the answers to these questions.
Are babies innocent, according to the Bible?
Religious scholars have implied that although babies are born with sin, they are still innocent before God’s eyes, as they cannot differentiate between good and evil. In Psalms 51:5, we see David acknowledging that he was a sinner from when his mother conceived him, meaning that babies do not have to do bad or evil to become sinners physically. “Surely, I was sinful at birth from when my mother conceived me.”
Romans 5:12 also says, “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way, death came to all men because all sinned.”
However, the book of James 4:17 reminds us that a person can only become a sinner if they know the good they ought to be doing, yet they choose not to do it. “Anyone who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it sins.”
Several theologians have also argued that children are innocent, according to the Bible, as they are yet to reach the ‘age of accountability.’ Without reaching the age of accountability, children are saved from their sins by God’s grace, as they have not had the option of experiencing God’s power and existence to choose or reject him.
Romans 1:20 says, “For since the creation of world God’s invisible qualities, his eternal power, and divine nature have been seen, being understood from what has been made. So that men are without excuse.”
The book of Isaiah 7:15-16 also talks about a baby not knowing enough to reject the wrong and choose what is right, implying that they are innocent. “He will eat curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right. But before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid to waste.”
Romans 1:18 says, “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness.” This scripture shows that God will punish only those who have refused to accept the truth about him by denying it with their wickedness. Babies are not in a position to sin against God, as they do not yet have the full knowledge of who he is and how he requires them to carry themselves out.
Additionally, bible scholars have agreed that children are innocent according to the Bible from how they are addressed in different scriptures. In Mathew 18:1-4, Disciples came to Jesus wanting to know who was the greatest in the kingdom of Jesus.
Responding to them, Jesus called a little child and placed him before them, revealing that no one will go to heaven unless they change and become like little children. He assures them that they will be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven if they will only humble themselves like a child.
“At that time, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” he called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
This shows that although children were born with sin, Jesus sees them as innocent because they have yet to fully understand what the kingdom calls them to do. He could not have confirmed that children belong to heaven if they were not innocent.
Mathew 19:13-14 also shows us how children are innocent in the Bible after Jesus revealed that the kingdom of heaven belonged to them. “Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Lastly, Mathew 18:10 says, “See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my father in heaven.” Jesus assures the disciples that children already have angels in heaven looking out for them, proving their innocence.
What happens to miscarried babies?
Before we dig deep into what happens to miscarried babies according to the scriptures, let us define this word. Miscarriage can be defined as an event in which a baby loses its life while still in its mother’s womb. Illnesses, chronic infection, hormonal abnormalities, problems with the immune system, and more can cause this. In the Bible, the term miscarriage is mentioned in two verses, Hosea 9:14, “Give them, O Lord, what will you give them? Give them wombs that miscarry and breasts that are dry.” and in Exodus 23:26, “And none will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a full life span.”
The Bible does not reveal to us what happens to miscarried babies. However, a few scriptures in the Bible indicate they go to heaven. In the book of 2nd Samuel 12:21-23 how David’s servants questioned him on why he was eating when his child was dead, yet he wept and fasted while he was still alive. David answers them, revealing that he is delighted as he will one day reunite with him.
“His servants asked him, ‘Why are you acting this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!” He answered, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live. But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”
Through this scripture, religious scholars have suggested that David knew that he would one day reunite with his child in heaven, as they were both righteous. Bible scholars have also implied that miscarried babies go to heaven, as Jesus reveals in 1st Timothy 2:5 that there is only one mediator between God and man, and that is him. From our previous scriptures, we have seen how Jesus refers to children as the greatest ones in the kingdom of God, meaning that he will mediate with God on their behalf to enter heaven. “For there I one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
Also, religious scholars speculate that miscarried babies go to heaven, as they have already done what God had called them to do. Psalms 139:16 says, “Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
The book of Ephesians 2:10 also says, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
The scripture above clearly reveals how God knows his people while they are still in their mothers’ wombs. God also signs the work a person is supposed to do before they are born, insinuating that miscarried babies have already finished what God called them to do. That is why they prematurely leave before experiencing life on earth.
Although this may seem unfair to the parents who have lost the child, they need to understand that their ways are not God’s, and he only does that he knows the best for all of his children.
Does God give grace to babies?
Some scripture in the Bible has implied that God is gracious, meaning that he shows grace to all of his children, including babies.
Psalms 86:15 says, “But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.’’ God gives his grace to babies through the cross, where Jesus died for all the sins of humankind.
References
- Do babies and others incapable of professing faith in Christ automatically go to heaven?
- Children and the grace of God
- Does the Bible talk about miscarriage?
- What does the Bible say about miscarriage?
- Is there any biblical evidence that babies are born with sin?
- Where do I find the age of accountability in the Bible?
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
