Thematic Bible: Courts of justice


Thematic Bible



This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. Verse ConceptsThree WitnessesWitnesses, LegalTwo Or ThreeActing Three TimesWitnessing



In your own law it is written that the testimony of two men is true. Verse ConceptsTwo WitnessesTwo WitnessesWritten In The Lawtestimonytestifyingcredibility






While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, "Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered greatly today in a dream because of him." Verse ConceptsInnocence, Examples OfJudgment SeatJudgesWise CouncelSittingSleeplessnessWivesVisions And Dreams In ScriptureChrist, Names ForJudgement SeatLeave Them AloneWife



When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. Verse Conceptsenemies, of Jesus Christelders, as community leadersChief priestsPlottingChrist Would Be KilledMan's CounselJesus Deathpriests

And when they heard this, they entered into the temple about daybreak and began to teach. Now when the high priest and his associates came, they called the Council together, even all the Senate of the sons of Israel, and sent orders to the prison house for them to be brought. Verse Conceptselders, as community leadersSanhedrinTeachersDaybreakTeaching In The ChurchAt DaybreakBringing People Out Of Other PlacesDisciples In The Temple


As soon as it was day, the council of the elders of the people came together, both chief priests and scribes; and they led him away to their council chamber, saying, Verse ConceptsDawnChief priestsAssembling LeadersDaybreakAt DaybreakOpposition To Christ From ScribesThe Chief Priests Convenedelders




And as I punished them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force them to blaspheme; and being furiously enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities. Verse ConceptsForeign ThingsBlasphemy


And I said, 'Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I used to imprison and beat those who believed in you. Verse ConceptsFloggingBeating Believers

For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in shabby clothes, Verse ConceptsCongregationFilthinessGoldOrnamentsRingsRagsChurch GatheringsFine ClothesFoul ClothesGold OrnamentsPoor PeopleThe Rich Lording ItgaysBeing Gay





Why do you judge your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God. Verse ConceptsJudgment SeatStandingJesus Christ, JudgeNot JudgingDo Not DespiseJudgement SeatBelittlingJudging Others Actionscriticism

Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you not competent to try trivial cases? Verse ConceptsCourtsHoliness, Purpose OfMillenniumSaintsBelievers JudgingFamily ProblemsJudgement DayJudgementJudging Others Actions



So Pilate, wanting to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged him, to be crucified. The soldiers led him away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and they called together the whole battalion. And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and they twisted a crown of thorns and put it on him. read more.
And they began to salute him, "Hail, King of the Jews!" Then they struck him on the head with a reed and spat on him; and falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they took the purple robe off him, and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.

But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, held in honor by all the people, stood up and ordered the men to be put outside for a while. And he said to them, "Men of Israel, take care what you propose to do with these men. For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined him. But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. read more.
After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some people after him; he too perished, and all those who followed him were scattered. So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God." So they took his advice, and they called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

Then when Festus had conferred with his council, he answered, "You have appealed to Caesar, to Caesar you shall go." Verse ConceptsConversation

The king rose and the governor and Bernice, and those who were sitting with them, and when they had gone aside, they began talking to one another, saying, "This man is not doing anything worthy of death or imprisonment."





Agrippa said to Paul, "You have permission to speak for yourself." Then Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense: Verse Conceptsevangelism, kinds ofLawyersNamed Gentile RulersMan Defending


When the governor had motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: "Realizing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense. Verse Conceptsevangelism, kinds ofJudgesSelf DefenceCheerfulnessMan Defending

And Agrippa said to Festus, "This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar." Verse ConceptsPeople Releasing Others

But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesarnot that I had any charge to bring against my own nation. Verse ConceptsNecessityAccusations, Nt Legal SystemPeople Accusing People

If, then, I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die; but if none of the charges brought against me is true, no one can hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar." Verse ConceptsCivil authoritiesDeath penaltyGovernmentResigned To DeathNo Escape




Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, "What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. Verse ConceptsChief priestsSigns Of The TimesProphecies Concerning ChristPlottingSigns Performed By ChristThe Chief Priests Convenedaccomplishment

As soon as it was day, the council of the elders of the people came together, both chief priests and scribes; and they led him away to their council chamber, saying, Verse ConceptsDawnChief priestsAssembling LeadersDaybreakAt DaybreakOpposition To Christ From ScribesThe Chief Priests Convenedelders

When they had brought them, they set them before the council. The high priest questioned them, Verse ConceptsInterrogating








Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him to court, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Verse ConceptsAgreementDiscorddisagreementsLawyersJudgesOfficersAttorneyLawsuitsLitigationQuarrelsDebtorsAgreeingHanding Over PeopleImprisonmentsCourt SessionsPeople Accusing PeopleMisunderstandingsMaking Peace With EnemiesReconciliationConflictResolving Conflictjail





But when her owners saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities, and when they had brought them to the magistrates they said, "These men are Jews and they are throwing our city into an uproar. They advocate customs which it is not lawful for us Romans to accept or practice."





And those who had seized Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had assembled. Verse ConceptsArrestingOld Age, Attitudes ToAssembling LeadersRivers

Now the chief priests and the whole council sought false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, Verse ConceptsChief priestsLeaders, SpiritualAttempts To Kill ChristSeeking For Abstract ThingsThe Chief Priests Condemning Christaccusations


And when he had said this, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, "Is that the way you answer the high priest?" Jesus answered him, "If I have spoken wrongly, bear witness to the wrong; but if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?"


Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" So Jesus said to him, "It is as you say." Verse ConceptsClaimsJews, TheKingship, DivineStandingTreasonInterrogatingAssentingChrist Is King Of Israel


But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." Verse ConceptsGod, Living And Self sustainingSilenceSpeech, Power And Significance OfAdjurationChrist Being SilentWho Is Jesus?Called Himself The ChristRivers



I answered them that it is not the custom of the Romans to hand over any man before the accused meets his accusers face to face and has an opportunity to make his defense against the charges. Verse ConceptsCustomContact With PeopleMan Defending


Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" So Jesus said to him, "It is as you say." Verse ConceptsClaimsJews, TheKingship, DivineStandingTreasonInterrogatingAssentingChrist Is King Of Israel

And they bound him, and led him away and delivered him to Pilate the governor. Verse ConceptsGovernorsHanding Over ChristTying Up

Then they cast him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. Verse ConceptsCrimesevangelists, ministry ofMartyrdom, Examples OfMartyrdom Of The SaintsMartyrdom, Methods OfOutside The City








the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, and commanded him to be examined by scourging so that he might find out the reason why they were shouting against him that way. Verse ConceptsScourgingInterrogatingChiliarchsWhy Do Others Do This?serenity

So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately; and the commander also was afraid when he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had put him in chains. Verse ConceptsChainsTying UpCitizens

Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, and it was early morning. But they did not enter the Praetorium themselves, so that they might not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. Verse ConceptsPassover lambExclusivenessGovernorsHigh Priest, In NtPalacesReligionArmies, RomanRoyal Houses

and he went again into the Praetorium and said to Jesus, "Where are you from?" But Jesus gave him no answer. Verse ConceptsSilenceChrist Being SilentWhere From?






And the high priest stood up and said, "Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?" But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." Jesus said to him, "It is as you said. But I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven." read more.
Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard his blasphemy. What do you think?" They answered, "He is worthy of death."

And those who had seized Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had assembled. But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the end.


Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard his blasphemy. What do you think?" They answered, "He is worthy of death."





But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, "If it were a matter of wrong or of vicious crime, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to put up with you; but since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves; I refuse to be a judge of these things."

But when they stretched him out with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, "Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?" When the centurion heard this, he went to the commander and told him, saying, "What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen." So the commander came and said to him, "Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?" And he said, "Yes." read more.
The commander answered, "I bought this citizenship for a large sum." Paul said, "But I was born a citizen." So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately; and the commander also was afraid when he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had put him in chains.

And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. Verse ConceptsTortureJudicial PunishmentSettling AccountsDebtAnger And Forgiveness


Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore he who resists the authority resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to have no fear of him who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will have praise from him. read more.
For he is God's servant to you for good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain; he is God's servant, an avenger to execute wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for the sake of conscience.




Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law." The Jews said to him, "It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death." Verse ConceptsLimitednessDeath Penalty For KillingFulfilling The Lawautonomy

As you go with your adversary to the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. Verse ConceptsdisagreementsImprisonmentsJudgesOfficersReconciliation, Between BelieversLitigationHanding Over PeopleStress And Hard TimesReconciliationPurgatoryeffortjail

After five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders, with an attorney named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor. Verse ConceptsAttorneyGovernorsHigh Priest, In NtFour Or Five DaysPeople Accusing People

"Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he is doing?" Verse ConceptsJudging RightlyExcellent LawNo Condemnationcondemnation

By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges of which we accuse him." Verse ConceptsInvestigating