Thematic Bible: Courts of justice


Thematic Bible



This will be the third time I am coming to you. "Every accusation must be verified by two or three witnesses." Verse ConceptsThree WitnessesWitnesses, LegalTwo Or ThreeActing Three TimesWitnessing

Based on the testimony of two or three witnesses, they must surely die. But they are not to die based on the testimony of one person. Verse ConceptsAgreements, LegalThree WitnessesMurderProof, As EvidenceWitnesses, LegalOnly One PersonTwo Or Threetestimony

"The testimony of one person alone is not to suffice to convict anyone of any iniquity, sin, or guilt. But the matter will stand on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Verse ConceptsAgreements, LegalConfirmationThree WitnessesdisagreementsMurderProof, As EvidenceRightsWitnesses, LegalOnly One PersonNot AloneTwo Or ThreeGuiltWitnessingBeing Singletestimonytestifyingaccusations

In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two people is valid. Verse ConceptsTwo WitnessesTwo WitnessesWritten In The Lawtestimonytestifyingcredibility

then his parents are to seize him and bring him before the elders at the gate of his city. Verse ConceptsGatesComing To Gates

"Appoint judges and civil servants according to your tribes in all your cities that the LORD your God is about to give you, so they may judge the people impartially. Verse Conceptsethics, incentives towardsCivic RighteousnessJudgesTownMagistratesAdministrationJudging RightlyMan AppointingAppointments

Now Shechem was the most important person in his father's household. So Hamor and his son Shechem entered the gate of their city and addressed the men of their city. Verse ConceptsBusiness At The Gateway

His children are far from deliverance; they'll be maltreated before they leave home, with no one to rescue them. Verse Conceptsdefence, humanSafetyGod Is HolyChildren Suffering

"Speak up, you who ride white donkeys, sitting on cloth saddles while you travel on your way! Verse ConceptsDonkeysBackRoadsWalkingTravellersVolunteering

While he was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him a message that said, "Have nothing to do with that righteous man, because today I have suffered terribly due to a dream I had about him." Verse ConceptsInnocence, Examples OfJudgment SeatJudgesWise CouncelSittingSleeplessnessWivesVisions And Dreams In ScriptureChrist, Names ForJudgement SeatLeave Them AloneWife

The next day Moses sat down to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from morning until evening. Verse ConceptsMoses, Significance OfSittingStandingSitting To TeachPeople Involved In JudgementFrom Morning Till Evening


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

After the apostles heard this, they went into the Temple at daybreak and began to teach. The high priest and those who were with him arrived, called the Council and all the elders of Israel together, and sent word to the prison to have the men brought in. Verse Conceptselders, as community leadersSanhedrinTeachersDaybreakTeaching In The ChurchAt DaybreakBringing People Out Of Other PlacesDisciples In The Temple

This is what the LORD says, house of David: "Judge appropriately every morning, and deliver those who have been robbed from the oppressor, so my anger does not break out like fire and burn with no one to put it out because of your evil deeds. Verse ConceptsMorningFire Of God's AngerSaving PeopleEvery MorningRobbing People

As soon as day came, the elders of the people, the high priests, and the scribes assembled and brought him before their Council. Verse ConceptsDawnChief priestsAssembling LeadersDaybreakAt DaybreakOpposition To Christ From ScribesThe Chief Priests Convenedelders

They judged the people at all times; the difficult matters they brought to Moses, but every minor matter they judged. Verse ConceptsPeople Involved In JudgementHard TasksUnimportant ThingsStrength In Hard Times

When you hold a hearing, don't be partial in judgment toward the least important or toward the great. Never fear men, because judgment belongs to God. If the matter is difficult for you, bring it to me for a hearing.' Verse ConceptsLawsuitsSmallnessMagistratesFear Of ManPartialityGreat And SmallHard TasksDo Not Fear MenJudgingRespectMaking DecisionsDecision MakingConflictFamily ConflictRespecting AuthorityJudging Others Actionsdiscrimination

"If a case is too difficult for you to decide with respect to bloodshed, civil claims, assault and battery, or other matters of dispute within your courts, bring it to the place that the LORD your God will choose. Present the case to the Levitical priest or the judge at that time. When you have inquired and they have announced the verdict,

I would even punish them frequently in every synagogue and try to make them blaspheme. Raging furiously against them, I would hunt them down even in distant cities. Verse ConceptsForeign ThingsBlasphemy


"I said, "Lord, they themselves know that in every synagogue I kept imprisoning and beating those who believe in you. Verse ConceptsFloggingBeating Believers

Suppose a man wearing gold rings and fine clothes comes into your assembly, and a poor man in dirty clothes also comes in. Verse ConceptsCongregationFilthinessGoldOrnamentsRingsRagsChurch GatheringsFine ClothesFoul ClothesGold OrnamentsPoor PeopleThe Rich Lording ItgaysBeing Gay

Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and 70 of the elders of Israel went up Verse ConceptsAaron, PrivilegesGoing Up MountainsSeventiesThe Elderly

Then the LORD told Moses, "Gather together for me 70 men who are elders of Israel, men whom you know to be elders of the people and officers over them. Then bring them to the Tent of Meeting and let them stand there with you. Then I'll come down and speak with you. I'll take some of the spirit that rests on you and apportion it among them, so that they may help you bear the burden of the people. That way, you won't bear it by yourself."

So Moses went out and told the people what the LORD had said. He gathered 70 men from the elders of the people and stationed them around the tent. The LORD came down in a cloud, spoke to Moses, and made an apportionment from the spirit who rested on him to the 70 elders. When the spirit rested on them, they prophesied, but that was it. Now two men had remained in camp. One was named Eldad and the other was named Medad. When the spirit rested on them, since they were among those who were listed but had not gone out to the tent, they stayed behind and prophesied in the camp. read more.
A young man ran and reported to Moses, "Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp!" In response, Nun's son Joshua, Moses' attendant and one of his choice men, exclaimed, "My master Moses! Stop them!" "Are you jealous on account of me?" Moses asked in reply. "I wish all of the LORD's people were prophets and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!" Then Moses that is, he and the elders of Israel returned to the camp.


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

You know that the saints will rule the world, don't you? And if the world is going to be ruled by you, can't you handle insignificant cases? Verse ConceptsCourtsHoliness, Purpose OfMillenniumSaintsBelievers JudgingFamily ProblemsJudgement DayJudgementJudging Others Actions

If the guilty person deserves a beating, the judge will make him lie down and be beaten in his presence with the number of lashes fit for his crime. Verse ConceptsSin, God's Judgment OnAdvice On Beating People

Joshua announced, "Why did you bring trouble to us? Today the LORD is bringing trouble to you!" So all Israel stoned him to death, incinerated them, and buried them with stones, Verse ConceptsThe DeadTrouble, Causes OfDeath penaltyPunishment, Legal Aspects OfRetributionBurning PeopleTroubling Groups Of PeopleFamily Death

So Pilate, wanting to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them, but he had Jesus whipped and handed over to be crucified. The soldiers led Jesus into the courtyard of the palace (that is, the governor's headquarters) and called out the whole guard. They dressed him in a purple robe, twisted some thorns into a victor's crown, and placed it on his head. read more.
They began to greet him, "Long live the king of the Jews!" They kept hitting him on the head with a stick, spitting on him, kneeling in front of him, and worshiping him. When they had finished making fun of him, they stripped him of the purple robe, put his own clothes back on him, and led him away to crucify him.

But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law who was respected by all the people, stood up in the Council and ordered the men to be taken outside for a little while. Then he told them, "Fellow Israelis, consider carefully what you propose to do to these men. For in the recent past Theudas appeared, claiming that he was important, and about 400 men joined him. He was killed, and all his followers were dispersed and disappeared. read more.
After that man, at the time of the census, Judas the Galilean appeared and got people to follow him. He, too, died, and all his followers were scattered. "I'm telling you to keep away from these men for now. Leave them alone, because if this plan or movement is of human origin, it will fail. However, if it's from God, you won't be able to stop them, and you may even discover that you are fighting against God!" So they were convinced by him. After calling in the apostles and beating them, they again ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus and let them go.

Festus talked it over with the council and then answered, "To the emperor you have appealed; to the emperor you will go!" Verse ConceptsConversation

Then the king, the governor, Bernice, and those who were sitting with him got up. As they were leaving, they began to say to each other, "This man hasn't been doing anything to deserve death or imprisonment."


"Pay careful attention to your duties, because you are judging not only for the sake of human beings but also for the LORD and he is present with you as you make your rulings. So let the fear of the LORD rest upon you, be on your guard, and act carefully, because with the LORD our God there is neither injustice, nor partiality, nor bribery."

"Appoint judges and civil servants according to your tribes in all your cities that the LORD your God is about to give you, so they may judge the people impartially. Verse Conceptsethics, incentives towardsCivic RighteousnessJudgesTownMagistratesAdministrationJudging RightlyMan AppointingAppointments

and appointing judges throughout the land in all of the walled cities of Judah, city by city. He issued this reminder to the judges: "Pay careful attention to your duties, because you are judging not only for the sake of human beings but also for the LORD and he is present with you as you make your rulings. So let the fear of the LORD rest upon you, be on your guard, and act carefully, because with the LORD our God there is neither injustice, nor partiality, nor bribery."

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

"Not so," claimed the other woman. "The living child is my son, and the dead one is yours." But the first woman said, "Not so! The dead child is your son and the living one is my son." This is what they testified before the king. Verse ConceptsContradictingDeath Of A Child

When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, he replied: Verse Conceptsevangelism, kinds ofJudgesSelf DefenceCheerfulnessMan Defending

Agrippa told Festus, "This man could have been set free if he hadn't appealed to the emperor." Verse ConceptsPeople Releasing Others

But the Jews objected and forced me to appeal to the emperor, even though I have no countercharge to bring against my own people. Verse ConceptsNecessityAccusations, Nt Legal SystemPeople Accusing People

If I'm guilty and have done something that deserves death, I'm willing to die. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can hand me over to them as a favor. I appeal to the emperor!" Verse ConceptsCivil authoritiesDeath penaltyGovernmentResigned To DeathNo Escape



His children are far from deliverance; they'll be maltreated before they leave home, with no one to rescue them. Verse Conceptsdefence, humanSafetyGod Is HolyChildren Suffering

So the high priests and the Pharisees assembled the Council and said, "What are we going to do? This man is performing many signs. Verse ConceptsChief priestsSigns Of The TimesProphecies Concerning ChristPlottingSigns Performed By ChristThe Chief Priests Convenedaccomplishment

As soon as day came, the elders of the people, the high priests, and the scribes assembled and brought him before their Council. Verse ConceptsDawnChief priestsAssembling LeadersDaybreakAt DaybreakOpposition To Christ From ScribesThe Chief Priests Convenedelders

When they brought them back, they made them stand before the Council, and the high priest began to question them. Verse ConceptsInterrogating

"You are not to be unjust in deciding a case. You are not to show partiality to the poor or honor the great. Instead, decide the case of your neighbor with righteousness." Verse ConceptsFavouritismethics, socialequalityJudging OthersLaw, OtLawsuitsPrejudiceRespect, For Human BeingsJusticeCivil GovernmentPartialityJudging RightlyInjusticeMighty in its influenceRespectMaking DecisionsRespecting Authority

"The LORD our God spoke to us in Horeb. He said, "You have been at this mountain long enough. Verse ConceptsActionsMoving On

and because I know that your transgressions are many, and your sins are numerous as you oppose the righteous, taking bribes as a ransom, and turning away the poor in court Verse ConceptsGod, All knowingCruelty, examples ofBribery, Results OfInjustice, Examples OfOffenceGod's Knowledge Of PeopleRighteous, TheRighteousness, Of BelieversSin, And God's CharacterExposure Of SinBusiness At The GatewayNot Helping The Pooroppression

"How terrible it will be for the one who enacts unjust decrees, for those who write oppressive laws that they have prescribed Verse Conceptsethics, socialWicked RulersRulers, WickedHuman LawWoe To The WickedInjusticeMaking DecisionsDecision Makingoppression

buying the poor for cash, and the needy for a pair of sandals, selling chaff mixed in with the wheat.' Verse ConceptsBuying and sellingSandalsTradeShoesPollutionsRubbishNot Helping The PoorPrice Set On Individuals

If a man presumptuously disregards the priest who is serving the LORD your God there or the judge, that person must die so you will purge evil from Israel. Verse Conceptsethics, socialDeath penaltyHigh Priest, In OtIrreverenceJudgesMinistry, Nature OfSin, Nature OfStubbornnessAnarchyDeath Penalty For Violence

Deborah, a woman, prophet, and wife of Lappidoth, was herself judging Israel during that time. She regularly took her seat under the Palm Tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the mountainous region of Ephraim, where the Israelis would approach her for decisions.

Come to terms quickly with your opponent while you are on the way to court, or your opponent may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Verse ConceptsAgreementDiscorddisagreementsLawyersJudgesOfficersAttorneyLawsuitsLitigationQuarrelsDebtorsAgreeingHanding Over PeopleImprisonmentsCourt SessionsPeople Accusing PeopleMisunderstandingsMaking Peace With EnemiesReconciliationConflictResolving Conflictjail

"Appoint judges and civil servants according to your tribes in all your cities that the LORD your God is about to give you, so they may judge the people impartially. Verse Conceptsethics, incentives towardsCivic RighteousnessJudgesTownMagistratesAdministrationJudging RightlyMan AppointingAppointments

Samuel did what the LORD said and went to Bethlehem. The elders of the town came out to meet him trembling, and said, "May your coming be in peace." Verse ConceptsTownTremblingFear Of Individuals

But if the man does not want to marry his brother's widow, then she must go to the elders at the city gate and declare, "My husband's brother refuses to perform the duty of a brother-in-law in order to preserve the name of his brother in Israel. He is not willing to perform the duty of a brother-in-law.' Verse ConceptsOld Age, Attitudes ToTownComing To GatesPeople UnwillingBrothers in lawMarriage Between Man And Woman

One woman said, "Your majesty, this woman and I live in the same house. I gave birth to a child while she was in the house. Three days later, this woman also gave birth. We lived alone there. There was nobody else with us in the house. It was just the two of us. This woman's son died overnight because she laid on top of him. read more.
She got up in the middle of the night, took my son from me while your servant was asleep, and laid him to her breast after laying her dead son next to me. The next morning, I got up to nurse my son, and he was dead. But when I examined him carefully in the light of day, he turned out not to be my son whom I had borne!"

When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities who met together in the public square. They brought them before the magistrates and said, "These men are stirring up a lot of trouble in our city. They are Jews and are advocating customs that we're not allowed to accept or practice as Romans."


You must not twist justice, show favoritism, or take bribes, because a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and subverts the speech of the righteous. Verse ConceptsFavouritismBlindness, SymbolicInjustice, Hated By GodReward, HumanRighteous, TheMagistratesAvoiding BribesBlindingOther Blinding

For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, because he's the messenger of the LORD of the Heavenly Armies. Verse ConceptsLeaders, SpiritualOccupationsPriests, Function In Ot TimesSpeech, Positive Aspects OfStumbling BlocksValuing KnowledgeLet Your Speech Be GoodTeaching The Way Of Godpreservationpriests

Present the case to the Levitical priest or the judge at that time. When you have inquired and they have announced the verdict, Verse ConceptsCourtsPriesthood, In OtPriests, Function In Ot Timespriests

Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had assembled. Verse ConceptsArrestingOld Age, Attitudes ToAssembling LeadersRivers

Meanwhile, the high priests and the whole Council were looking for false testimony against Jesus in order to have him put to death. Verse ConceptsChief priestsLeaders, SpiritualAttempts To Kill ChristSeeking For Abstract ThingsThe Chief Priests Condemning Christaccusations


When he said this, one of the officers standing nearby slapped Jesus on the face and demanded, "Is that any way to answer the high priest?" Jesus answered him, "If I have said anything wrong, tell me what it was. But if I have told the truth, why do you hit me?"

They are to serve as cities of refuge from a blood avenger in order to keep the inadvertent killer from dying until he has stood trial in the presence of the community. Verse ConceptsRedemption, In Everyday LifeStandingMan AvengingDeath Of A Family Member

Meanwhile, Jesus was made to stand in front of the governor. The governor asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" Jesus said, "You say so." Verse ConceptsClaimsJews, TheKingship, DivineStandingTreasonInterrogatingAssentingChrist Is King Of Israel

"If someone sins because he has failed to testify after receiving notice to testify as a witness regarding what he has observed or learned, he is to be held responsible." Verse ConceptsProof, As EvidenceSin BearerWitnesses, LegalAdjurationGuiltResponsibilityWitnessingSwearingMoralityRemoving People From Your LifeMaking Mistakestestimonypartnershipconsequencestestifyingperformance

But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest told him, "I command you by the living God to tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God!" Verse ConceptsGod, Living And Self sustainingSilenceSpeech, Power And Significance OfAdjurationChrist Being SilentWho Is Jesus?Called Himself The ChristRivers

Meanwhile, Boaz approached the city gate and sat down there. Just then, the very same related redeemer whom Boaz had mentioned came by, so Boaz called out to him, "Come over and sit down here, my friend!" So the man came over and sat down. Boaz selected ten of the town elders and spoke to them, "Sit down here." So they sat down

That's how Ephron's field in Machpelah, east of Mamre the field, the cave that was in it, and all the trees that were within the boundaries of the field came to be deeded to Abraham in the presence of all the Hittites and everyone who was entering the city gate. After this, Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave at the field of Machpelah, east of Mamre (that is, in Hebron) in the land of Canaan. read more.
And so the field with its cave was deeded by the Hittites to Abraham as a burial site.

I answered them that it was not the Roman custom to sentence a man to be punished until the accused met his accusers face to face and had an opportunity to defend himself against the charge. Verse ConceptsCustomContact With PeopleMan Defending

"When there is a conflict between individuals, let them come to court to judge the case, decide who is innocent, and condemn the guilty person. Verse Conceptsethics, incentives towardsInnocence, Teaching OnJustification, Necessity OfLawsuitsMagistrates

Meanwhile, Jesus was made to stand in front of the governor. The governor asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" Jesus said, "You say so." Verse ConceptsClaimsJews, TheKingship, DivineStandingTreasonInterrogatingAssentingChrist Is King Of Israel

They bound him with chains, led him away, and handed him over to Pontius Pilate, the governor. Verse ConceptsGovernorsHanding Over ChristTying Up

ran him outside of the city, and began to stone him to death. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. Verse ConceptsCrimesevangelists, ministry ofMartyrdom, Examples OfMartyrdom Of The SaintsMartyrdom, Methods OfOutside The City

Let the witnesses be the first to begin executing them, then the rest of the people shall follow. By doing this you will purge evil from among you." Verse ConceptsBeing Firstevil, warnings againstBanishmentPurity, Moral And SpiritualWitnesses, LegalFirst To Act

Who will appoint me to be a judge in the land? When anyone arrived to file a legal complaint or other cause, he could approach me for justice and I would settle it!" Verse ConceptsJudgesWorldly Ambition ExamplesMan Appointing

They judged the people at all times; the difficult matters they brought to Moses, but every minor matter they judged. Verse ConceptsPeople Involved In JudgementHard TasksUnimportant ThingsStrength In Hard Times

You are to look for capable men among the people, men who fear God, men of integrity who hate dishonest gain. You are to set these men over them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. Verse ConceptsCovetingFaithfulness, To GodBeing A LeaderHatredHonestyProfitsReverence, And Social BehaviourTrustworthinessMagistratesCivil GovernmentTen PeopleFiftiesOne HundredA Thousand PeoplePerforming The TruthChoosing PeopleSkilled PeopleHating EvilCovetousnessDishonestyLeadership Qualitiesgroups

Moses chose capable men from all Israel and appointed them as heads over the people, as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. Verse ConceptsBeing OrganizedTen PeopleFiftiesOne HundredA Thousand PeopleChoosing PeopleSkilled PeopleLeadersLeadership Qualitiesinvestingorganizationgroups

You are not to show partiality to a poor man in his lawsuit. Verse ConceptsFavouritismLawsuitsPrejudice

"You are not to pervert justice for the poor among you in their lawsuits. Verse ConceptsLawsuitsOppression, Nature OfPoverty, Attitudes TowardsMagistrates

the tribune ordered Paul to be taken into the barracks and told the soldiers to beat and question him in order to find out why the people were yelling at him like this. Verse ConceptsScourgingInterrogatingChiliarchsWhy Do Others Do This?serenity

Paul said, "But I was born a citizen." Immediately those who were about to examine him stepped back, and the tribune was afraid when he found out that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had tied him up. Verse ConceptsChainsTying UpCitizens

Then Jesus was led from Caiaphas to the governor's headquarters early in the morning. The Jews did not go into the headquarters, to avoid becoming unclean and unable to eat the Passover meal. Verse ConceptsPassover lambExclusivenessGovernorsHigh Priest, In NtPalacesReligionArmies, RomanRoyal Houses

Returning to his headquarters, he asked Jesus, "Where are you from?" But Jesus did not answer him. Verse ConceptsSilenceChrist Being SilentWhere From?

carry out the verdict that was declared to you at the place that the LORD will choose. Carefully observe all of their instructions to you in accordance with what the Law says, and in accordance with the verdict that will be handed to you. You must not deviate from the verdict that they declare to you either to the right or to the left.

and appointing judges throughout the land in all of the walled cities of Judah, city by city. He issued this reminder to the judges: "Pay careful attention to your duties, because you are judging not only for the sake of human beings but also for the LORD and he is present with you as you make your rulings. So let the fear of the LORD rest upon you, be on your guard, and act carefully, because with the LORD our God there is neither injustice, nor partiality, nor bribery." read more.
In Jerusalem, Jehoshaphat also appointed certain descendants of Levi, priests, and family leaders of Israel to render verdicts for the LORD and to decide difficult cases. Their offices were in Jerusalem. He issued this reminder to them: "You are to carry out your duties in the fear of the LORD, serving him faithfully with your whole heart. No matter what case comes before you from your fellow citizens who live in their own cities, whether it's a dispute between blood relatives or a dispute regarding the Law and the commands, statutes, or verdicts, you are to warn the parties so that they do not become guilty in the LORD's presence and so that anger does not come upon you and your fellow citizens.

"Appoint judges and civil servants according to your tribes in all your cities that the LORD your God is about to give you, so they may judge the people impartially. Verse Conceptsethics, incentives towardsCivic RighteousnessJudgesTownMagistratesAdministrationJudging RightlyMan AppointingAppointments

The judges will investigate thoroughly. If the false witness lies in testifying against his relative, Verse ConceptsInvestigating

do to him just as he intended to do to his relative. By doing this you will purge evil from your midst. Verse ConceptsBanishmentSin, God's Judgment OnEquality Of Punishment

At this, the high priest stood up and asked Jesus, "Don't you have any answer to what these men are testifying against you?" But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest told him, "I command you by the living God to tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God!" Jesus told him, "You have said so. Nevertheless I tell you, from now on you will see "the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power' and "coming on the clouds of heaven.'" read more.
Then the high priest tore his robes and said, "He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? Listen! You yourselves have just heard the blasphemy! What is your verdict?" They replied, "He deserves to die!"

Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had assembled. Peter, however, followed him at a distance as far as the high priest's courtyard. He went inside and sat down with the servants to see how this would end.

"If a case is too difficult for you to decide with respect to bloodshed, civil claims, assault and battery, or other matters of dispute within your courts, bring it to the place that the LORD your God will choose. Verse ConceptsSacred PlacesHard Tasks

Then the high priest tore his robes and said, "He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? Listen! You yourselves have just heard the blasphemy! What is your verdict?" They replied, "He deserves to die!"

The next day Moses sat down to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from morning until evening. When Moses' father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, "What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, with all the people standing around you from morning until evening?" Moses told his father-in-law, "Because the people come to me to seek God's will. read more.
When they have a dispute, it comes to me and I decide between a person and his neighbor, and make known the statutes of God and his instructions." Moses' father-in-law told him, "What you are doing is not good. You will certainly wear yourself out, both you and these people who are with you, because the task is too heavy for you. You cannot do it by yourself. Now listen to me. I'll advise you, and may God be with you. You are to represent the people before God and bring the disputes to God. You are to teach them the statutes and instructions and make known to them the way they're to go and the things they're to do.

"Take the one who cursed outside the camp. Everyone who heard him is to lay their hands on his head. Then the entire congregation is to stone him to death. Verse ConceptsCongregationDeath penaltyCamps, Unclean ThingsPunishment, Legal Aspects OfLaying On Of HandsHands On HeadsOutside The CampLaying On Hands For EvilInstructions About Stoning

Speak for those who cannot speak; seek justice for all those on the verge of destruction. Speak up, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted and oppressed.

Here's what you must do: tell the truth to your neighbors, administer true and peaceful justice in your courtrooms, Verse ConceptsLawsuitsBusiness At The GatewayJudging RightlyPerforming The TruthSpeaking TruthDoing God's WorksSeek PeaceJudgmentsTelling The Truth

Paul was about to speak when Gallio admonished the Jewish leaders, "If there were some misdemeanor or crime involved, it would be reasonable to put up with you Jews. But since it is a question about words, names, and your own Law, you will have to take care of that yourselves. I refuse to be a judge in these matters."

But when they had tied him up with the straps, Paul asked the centurion who was standing there, "Is it legal for you to whip a Roman citizen who hasn't been condemned?" When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and told him, "What are you doing? This man is a Roman citizen!" So the tribune went and asked Paul, "Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?" "Yes," he said. read more.
Then the tribune replied, "I paid a lot of money for this citizenship of mine." Paul said, "But I was born a citizen." Immediately those who were about to examine him stepped back, and the tribune was afraid when he found out that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had tied him up.

In anger his master handed him over to the jailers until he could repay the entire debt. Verse ConceptsTortureJudicial PunishmentSettling AccountsDebtAnger And Forgiveness

When disputes arise, they are to serve as a judge, adjudicating matters according to my ordinances. They are to enforce my laws, my statutes, all of my appointed festivals, and they are to sanctify my Sabbaths. Verse ConceptsJudgesOrdinancesPriests, Function In Ot TimesHoly TimesSabbath ObservedFestivals ObservedKeep The Commandments!Resolving Conflict

Every person must be subject to the governing authorities, for no authority exists except by God's permission. The existing authorities have been established by God, so that whoever resists the authorities opposes what God has established, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For the authorities are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you like to live without being afraid of the authorities? Then do what is right, and you will receive their approval. read more.
For they are God's servants, working for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for it is not without reason that they bear the sword. Indeed, they are God's servants to administer punishment to anyone who does wrong. Therefore, it is necessary for you to be acquiescent to the authorities, not only for the sake of God's punishment, but also for the sake of your own conscience.

"How terrible it will be for the one who enacts unjust decrees, for those who write oppressive laws that they have prescribed Verse Conceptsethics, socialWicked RulersRulers, WickedHuman LawWoe To The WickedInjusticeMaking DecisionsDecision Makingoppression

Joshua then spoke to Achan, "My son, give glory and praise to the LORD God of Israel. Tell me right now what you did. Don't hide anything." Verse ConceptsHiding Sins

"Speak up, you who ride white donkeys, sitting on cloth saddles while you travel on your way! Verse ConceptsDonkeysBackRoadsWalkingTravellersVolunteering

Pilate told them, "You take him and try him according to your Law." Verse ConceptsLimitednessDeath Penalty For KillingFulfilling The Lawautonomy

For example, when you go with your opponent in front of a ruler, do your best to settle with him on the way there. Otherwise, you will be dragged in front of the judge, and the judge will hand you over to an officer, and the officer will throw you into prison. Verse ConceptsdisagreementsImprisonmentsJudgesOfficersReconciliation, Between BelieversLitigationHanding Over PeopleStress And Hard TimesReconciliationPurgatoryeffortjail

Five days later, the high priest Ananias arrived with certain elders and Tertullus, an attorney, and they summarized their case against Paul before the governor. Verse ConceptsAttorneyGovernorsHigh Priest, In NtFour Or Five DaysPeople Accusing People

"Surely our Law does not condemn a person without first hearing from him and finding out what he is doing, does it?" Verse ConceptsJudging RightlyExcellent LawNo Condemnationcondemnation

By examining him for yourself, you will be able to find out from him everything of which we accuse him." Verse ConceptsInvestigating

And you, Ezra, in accordance with the wisdom given to you by your God, are to appoint magistrates and judges to administer justice to all the people beyond the Euphrates River. All of them are to know the laws of your God, and you are to instruct those who do not know them. Verse ConceptsGod, Wisdom OfJudgesMagistratesBeyond The RiverTeaching The Way Of God

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