Looking for what the Bible says about angels? You're in the right place. This page brings together key Scripture and principles on angels from across many different books of the Bible, along with practical commentary and everyday applications that can transform your life. Because this commentary is excerpted from Study and Obey's verse-by-verse book studies, every verse here has already been interpreted in its full context. As you study God's Word on angels, we encourage you to reflect on how to apply what God is teaching you. Enjoy!

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What Angels Are Like

Angels are very amazing. In the Bible we see that angels have great power. One angel killed 185,000 trained soldiers in one night (2 Kings 19:35). Another time, an angel killed every firstborn child in Egypt. Angels are fearsome. Most of the time when an angel appears the person he appears to is frightened and even falls down to worship the angel (because the angel is supernatural). Angels can appear and then disappear. They can even appear as ordinary people (Hebrews 13:2). They fight God's battles. They are in the very throne room of God. What is more, angels are still very active in this world fulfilling God's plans, protecting His people, fighting off demons, being used by God to answer prayer, etc. We should not get pre-occupied with angels (Satan did this already and exalted himself instead of God). The angels that truly serve God often reminded people of this when they told people not to worship them, but instead, to worship God alone.

Hebrews 1:14 — "Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?"

Verse 14 shows us what angels are doing. They are ministering spirits, who are sent out to serve all members of God's family. This shows us too how much God loves us that He even sends out angels to minister to and serve us. We should not focus on the angels, but we should give glory to God for His kindness and compassion in using angels to help us.

— From our Bible study on Hebrews 1

Luke 1:13 — "But the angel said to him: 'Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son.'"

Zechariah was fearful when Gabriel came. This is a typical response when someone in the Bible sees an angel. Angels are not cute little babies with wings playing harps and floating in the clouds. Rather they are beings of great power and represent the Lord of Lords.

— From our Bible study on John the Baptist, a Character Study

Angels Among Us

Hebrews 13:2 — "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."

The author tells us that we should be hospitable to strangers. The reason he gives is that by showing hospitality to strangers we might actually be doing it for angels. We learn through implication that angels can appear as people. This shows us that God is actively at work in the world. God may work in supernatural ways without us realizing it.

Angels are serving God for His sake, not for any credit of their own. They don't care if they are ever recognized or thanked. They are on a mission. In a similar manner, we too should serve to please God, not to get recognition.

Application — Take comfort in the fact that God is at work even when we may not see it clearly. Thank God for caring so much for us that He sends these powerful beings to help us.

— From our Bible study on Hebrews 13:1-8

Angels Announce Christ's Birth

Luke 2:8-14 — "And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!'"

The angel's first words to the shepherds were "fear not." Angels are frightening beings, and their sudden appearance, along with the glory of the Lord shining around them, terrified these shepherds. But the angel's message was not one of judgment. It was good news.

Application — Are you living a life of fear? Our God is good and gracious and kind.

The angel brought "good news of great joy." This joy was not just for a select few. It was for "all the people." This good news is available to Jew and Gentile, rich and poor, educated and uneducated.

Application — Are you joyful today? Share it! Good news is meant to be shared.

Then suddenly a multitude of the heavenly host appeared, praising God. Their praise was focused entirely on giving glory to God, and it announced peace on earth for those with whom He is pleased.

Application — Do not expect that your life will be free of conflict simply because you are a believer. Once we have received that peace, we are His emissaries, tasked with sharing this good news of great joy with others.

The shepherds responded to the angelic message by going and seeing the newborn Savior. After they visited the baby, it says that they "returned glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen."

— From our Bible study on The Angelic Message, Luke 2:8-14

Angels and the Incarnation

Luke 1:30-31 — "But the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.'"

Luke 1:34-35 — "'How will this be,' Mary asked the angel, 'since I am a virgin?' The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.'"

Luke 1:38 — "'I am the Lord's servant,' Mary answered. 'May your word to me be fulfilled.' Then the angel left her."

Mary was given amazing news. She was going to be the mother of the Savior. It was amazing, but it was also difficult. Firstly, it was difficult to believe. In the history of the world it had never happened. It is a fact or a law of science that virgins cannot have children. She asked one simple and reasonable question, "how?" And after the answer, she didn't argue or express doubt. She didn't ask why or laugh. She didn't even ask to see a sign. She believed saying, "May your word to me be fulfilled."

Mary calls herself the "bond-servant" of the Lord and acts like it.

Matthew 1:20-21 — "But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.'"

Joseph was a kind man. He didn't want to disgrace her. So he decided to divorce her. So that is what Joseph decided to do, officially terminate the agreement. It was while he was thinking of these things, that an angel came to him in his dream. The angel told him that the child was from the Holy Spirit.

But notice the angel said, "Do not fear to take Mary as your wife." Joseph naturally would have been afraid. He was facing challenges of his own.

— From our Bible study on Challenges of the First Christmas

Angelic Protection

Daniel 6:21-22 — "Then Daniel said to the king, 'O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him.'"

Daniel does not sound the least surprised that God sent an angel to shut the mouths of the lions. What are a few lions to God?

Application — As God did not abandon Daniel to the lions, He will not abandon you either. God is still doing miracles.

— From our Bible study on Daniel 6

Psalm 91:11 — "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways."

Psalm 91 is a wonderful depiction of God's love and care for His people. But in this chapter we are not devoid of responsibility. Our job is fairly simple, but not easy. Our role is to trust in Him completely.

• It will not come near you (7).
• Evil shall not be allowed to befall you (10).
• He will command his angels to guard you (11).
• I will deliver you (14).
• I will protect him (14).

This promise of angelic protection is not an unconditional guarantee against every possible harm. Simply put, Psalm 91:7 did not apply to Josiah (or to Jesus). God does not promise long life to every single believer. It is instead a general truth for Old Testament believers that may be overruled in specific instances. When Satan quoted this psalm to tempt Jesus to jump from the temple, Jesus refused, because He would not be fulfilling the condition that this promise of angelic protection is based on.

— From our Bible study on Psalm 91

Peter's Angelic Rescue From Prison

Acts 12:7-10 — "And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, 'Get up quickly.' And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, 'Dress yourself and put on your sandals.' And he did so. And he said to him, 'Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.' And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him."

Peter was in prison. James had just been executed. By all appearances, it would be Peter's turn next. But we see that he was sleeping. He was sleeping deeply enough that the angel had to strike him on the side to wake him. It seems that Peter experienced God's peace even while in prison.

One of my friends lived at the home where a Bible study was taking place. This was in an Asian country, and the home was raided by police. Some of the leaders were kicked out of the country. My friend was in the bedroom and slept through the whole thing. Sleeping protected him from being interrogated.

Reflect — Share about a time when you felt God's peace. What did you learn from this? How about a time when you felt anxious? Why did you not receive God's peace?

The entire rescue was miraculous.

• The angel appeared in a locked cell.
• Light shone in the dark.
• Peter's guards were not awakened.
• The chains fell off.
• The doors and gates opened.

God can save His people using many different methods. In this case, He chose to send an angel. We shouldn't be infatuated with angels. They are fellow servants of the Living God. Yet we should be thankful that God sends them to minister to and help us in our time of need. You never know when you might meet an angel.

Reflect — Have you ever experienced a miracle or an amazing answer to prayer?

Acts 12:14-16 — "Recognizing Peter's voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. They said to her, 'You are out of your mind.' But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, 'It is his angel!'"

Reflect — Why did they respond like this?

— From our Bible study on Acts 12

Spiritual Warfare Behind the Scenes

Daniel 10:12-13 — "Then he said to me, 'Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days.'"

The messenger tells Daniel to "fear not." He is told to "fear not" because his words have been heard. God is on his side, not against him. The angel may appear to be quite frightening, but he is on Daniel's side.

Reflect — How does knowing you are greatly loved affect you?

As soon as God heard Daniel's prayer, He dispatched an angel to go to Daniel. Some think it was Gabriel, but he is not named here. Isn't that an exciting thought? God is sitting on His throne. Legions of angels are at His service. And God will dispatch angels to the world to help us, fight for us.

Application — Pray in confidence, knowing that God hears and will answer.

Who is this? It is a powerful demon. This demon appears to be assigned by Satan to the kingdom of Persia. Satan is opposing God. He opposed him then. And he does so now. He uses politics, laws, and governments to enact his policies and fight against God.

Application — We need to be aware that we have an enemy. We need to be aware that this enemy works through people and systems. Even the angel in this passage needed help! We certainly do as well.

Satan opposed God. Demonic forces were fighting angelic forces. But now for the good news. It took three weeks, but God won. When the first angel ran into opposition, Michael came. God's forces win.

Application — So, let us be patient to wait for God's answer. At the same time, joining this battle requires sacrifice.

He was touched again and strengthened a second time saying, "O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage." The angel did not blame Daniel for his weakness.

Application — You are part of God's plan. You are a warrior in His army. What is your role in this battle?

— From our Bible study on Daniel 10

The War in Heaven

Revelation 12:7-9 — "Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him."

There is going to be a clash of the ages in heaven. Michael and God's good angels will pit themselves against Satan and his horde of fallen angels. Someone might ask, "Why doesn't God just banish Satan and his demons with a word? Why does he need to use angels to fight for Him?" However, God seems to delight in using His created agents, whether that is people or angels. We are all called to join this battle against Satan and his demons.

Application — Let us lift His standard high and wave it proudly as His loyal ambassadors!

Satan is called the "accuser of our brothers." It reminds us of his nature. If an artist ventured to paint a portrait of Satan, he should do so with Satan pointing his finger in accusation toward believers.

Application — Let us be careful not to be like Satan. Do not be hasty to accuse others.

— From our Bible study on Revelation 12

Worship God Alone

Revelation 19:10 — "Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, 'You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.' For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."

John's actions are a bit surprising here. He certainly should have known better than to worship an angel. However, lest we be too hard on John, we should remember that we do many things when we "should have known better."

Application — Be careful not to be too quick to judge others. We often do the same things we look down on others for.

The angel's response is in contrast with Jesus' response to the disciples (Matthew 14:33) when He accepted their worship. Angels are powerful beings. To people, they would appear terrifying and supernatural. However, the angel says that he is merely a "fellow servant." It gives us an insight into the minds of angels. They don't consider they are superior, but instead are working together with us as servants of the Most High.

Application — Worship God only. Many things, even good things, can distract us from focusing on God. What are some things that could become a believer's object of focus instead of Jesus?

• Angels.
• Baptism.
• Church.
• The Bible.
• Christian friends or fellowship.

— From our Bible study on Revelation 19:1-10

Isaiah 6:1-3 — "In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!'"

The Seraphs are worshiping God. This is the only place in the Bible that the seraphim are mentioned. These are a special order of angel. They have six wings and are pictured flying in God's throne room. Their primary duty appears to be worshiping God, calling attention to His holiness and majesty.

One of the things we see in this passage is that the angels' full time job appears to be worshiping God. True worship is extolling, lifting up, God's character. True worship is God focused. How many times do the angels mention "I" in their song? Zero. They are not thinking about themselves. They are thinking about God.

— From our Bible study on Isaiah 6, God's Holiness

Fallen Angels and the Angel of Light

2 Peter 2:4 — "For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment."

This is likely a reference to the "sons of God" in Genesis 6. Fallen angels abandoned their natural position and possessed men, taking over their bodies and lusting after human women, having relations with them. God would not stand for His creation to be polluted in this way and intervened, sending the offending fallen angels prematurely into an abyss, where they are chained waiting for the final day of punishment.

Application — It is important for us to know that God is sovereign. Satan is active in the world and his demons are working against God's plans. But God only allows them to operate within His grand scheme.

Just as Satan appears as an angel of light, these are servants of wickedness who appear as workers of righteousness. In modern cartoons, you will often see a person with an angel on one shoulder encouraging the person to do good and a demon on the other shoulder spurring the person to do evil.

— From our Bible study on 2 Peter 2:1-10

Galatians 1:8 — "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed."

Paul understands there is one truth. If an angel taught a different gospel, then that would be a fallen angel and should not be listened to.

— From our Bible study on Galatians 1:1-12

We hope you enjoyed this Bible study on angels. May God use His Word to speak into your life and give you strength to follow it. Please take some time to reflect on the questions below and consider leaving a comment with your key takeaway or insight.

Reflection Questions

• What did you learn about angels from this study?
• How does the truth about angels encourage you?
• Have you experienced any miracles that angels may have bene involved in?
• Why is it important not to become too fascinated by angels or any other created thing?
• How are people different from angels?

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