Is there an age of accountability in the Bible? What happens to babies that die?

TL;DR:

The Bible does not specify an exact age of accountability but suggests that God's grace covers those unable to make a faith decision. Scripture implies that children who die before reaching this understanding are shown mercy, yet believers are still called to share the gospel with those who can respond.

what does the bible say?

The concept of an age of accountability is that there is a certain age at which people become accountable to respond to the gospel of Jesus for salvation. Before this time, the age of accountability teaches that children who die go to heaven because they were not old enough to understand what it means to choose faith in Christ. Some writers also call this time period the age of innocence. The Bible does not specify a particular age of accountability, but it suggests that God's grace extends to those unable to make a faith decision. Some base the concept on Jewish tradition (age 13) or the age of those held accountable in the wilderness (age 20), but ultimately, accountability varies from child to child.

King David’s confidence that he would see his deceased infant again (2 Samuel 12:21-23) implies that God shows mercy to those who die in innocence. The New Testament supports God's grace through Christ’s atonement, which is sufficient for all, including those unable to choose faith (Romans 5:8; 1 John 2:2). While we trust in God’s mercy for young children, believers are still called to share the gospel with those who can understand and respond.

from the old testament

Thirteen is the most common age given for the age of accountability, based on the Jewish custom that a child becomes an adult at the age of 13. Others use 20 years of age, based on the age given regarding those who died in the wilderness due to their unbelief during the time of Moses (Numbers 14:29-30). However, the Bible gives no direct support for a particular age of accountability. It likely varies from child to child. A child has passed the age of accountability once he or she is capable of making a faith decision for or against Christ.
When discussing the age of accountability, many point to 2 Samuel 12:21-23 in which King David fasts and prays for his infant son who is ill. When the child dies, David stops fasting and mourning. In what he says, it is clear that David was confident that he would once again see his infant son who had died. The only place David would have in mind is in the afterlife. David also had a positive future in mind for his son. Some have argued that this is merely a reference to death in general, but the fact that David is no longer in mourning means he has a much better ending in mind. David found comfort when his child passed away. Why? His view of God included a deep understanding of God's love and graciousness, as demonstrated in the Psalms authored by David.

from the new testament

While the Bible does not directly state that young children or others unable to make a decision to follow Christ by faith will be in heaven, there is no reason to believe that God would not choose to mercifully save those who cannot make a faith decision. God's mercy extends to all sinners at a time when they cannot help themselves (Romans 5:8). We can also take into account 1 John 2:2, which teaches that Jesus is "the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." This verse is clear that the death of Christ is sufficient for all sins. If God has chosen to cover the sins of young children and others unable to come to Him by faith, then the blood of Christ is certainly sufficient to do so.

implications for today

In the end, the age of accountability is not a certain age but the theological idea that God's grace extends to those too young to make a decision to follow Christ by faith as the Bible teaches (Ephesians 2:8-9). We can trust that the Lord's grace covers those unable to respond as He has commanded, yet we must continue to strive to share the gospel message to all who can believe and stand in need of the salvation only Jesus provides. Salvation does not only affect our afterlives but also our present lives. There is no greater gift, and those of us who know Jesus have been tasked with sharing the gospel with the world.

understand

The Bible does not specify an age of accountability but suggests God's grace covers those unable to choose faith.
David’s confidence in seeing his deceased infant implies God's mercy on the innocent.
Christ’s atonement is sufficient for all, including those unable to believe, and how God chooses to handle them is just and good.

reflect

How does knowing that God is gracious affect your understanding of His mercy?
How can you trust in God's mercy for those unable to respond to the gospel while sharing the gospel with those who can?
What comfort do you find in the example of King David’s belief that he would see his deceased child again, and how does this shape your view of God’s love?

engage

How do we reconcile God’s character with the unknown of how He handles the salvation of the young?
What implications does the idea of an age of accountability have on how we understand God’s justice and mercy?
How can we help others in their understanding of God's grace toward children and those unable to make faith decisions?