Thematic Bible: Courts of justice


Thematic Bible



This will be my third visit to you. Out of the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be confirmed. Verse ConceptsThree WitnessesWitnesses, LegalTwo Or ThreeActing Three TimesWitnessing



"And in your Law it is written that the testimony of two men is true. Verse ConceptsTwo WitnessesTwo WitnessesWritten In The Lawtestimonytestifyingcredibility






And while he was seated upon the judgment-seat, his wife had sent to him, saying, "Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered many things today, in a dream, because of him." Verse ConceptsInnocence, Examples OfJudgment SeatJudgesWise CouncelSittingSleeplessnessWivesVisions And Dreams In ScriptureChrist, Names ForJudgement SeatLeave Them AloneWife



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

When they heard this they went at early dawn to the Temple, and began to teach. Meantime when the high priest and his followers arrived, they summoned the Sanhedrin and all the Council of the Elders of the sons of Israel, and sent to the prison to fetch the apostles. Verse Conceptselders, as community leadersSanhedrinTeachersDaybreakTeaching In The ChurchAt DaybreakBringing People Out Of Other PlacesDisciples In The Temple


When it became the day the elders if the people met with the high priests and the Scribes and had brought before the Sanhedrin, saying. Verse ConceptsDawnChief priestsAssembling LeadersDaybreakAt DaybreakOpposition To Christ From ScribesThe Chief Priests Convenedelders




"In all the synagogues also I punished them oftentimes, and tried to make them blaspheme; and in my mad fury I was pursuing them even to foreign cities. Verse ConceptsForeign ThingsBlasphemy


"'Lord,' I replied, 'they themselves well know that I was beating and imprisoning in synagogue after synagogue those who believed in you, Verse ConceptsFloggingBeating Believers

Suppose a man comes into your synagogue with a gold ring and dazzling clothes, and suppose a poor man comes in, also, in shabby clothes, Verse ConceptsCongregationFilthinessGoldOrnamentsRingsRagsChurch GatheringsFine ClothesFoul ClothesGold OrnamentsPoor PeopleThe Rich Lording ItgaysBeing Gay





But you the abstainer, why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you again the non-abstainer, why do you despise yours? 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 tried by you, are you unfit to try such trifling cases? Verse ConceptsCourtsHoliness, Purpose OfMillenniumSaintsBelievers JudgingFamily ProblemsJudgement DayJudgementJudging Others Actions



So Pilate, who wished to make himself strong with the crowd, released Barabbas to them, and gave Jesus over for crucifixion, after he had scourged him. The soldiers then led him away into the courtyard (Praetorium), and called together the whole battalion. They clothed Jesus in purple, and plaited a crown of thorns, and placed it on his head. read more.
Then they began to salute him. "Hail, King of the Jews," they said. They kept striking him on the head with a rod, and spitting upon him; and on bended knee they did him homage. And after their sport with him, they stripped off the purple robe, and put on his own clothes, and led him out to crucify him.

but Gamaliel, a Pharisee, a teacher of the law, and held in honor by all the people, rose from his seat, and ordered the apostles to be put outside for a little while. He said: "Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. "Years ago Theudas arose, claiming to be somebody, and was joined by about four hundred men. He was killed, and all of his followers dispersed and annihilated. read more.
"After him Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the enrollment, and drew away some of the people after him. He also perished, and all his followers were scattered. "And now, I say to you, hold aloof from these men. Let them alone; for if this scheme or work be of human origin it will come to nothing; "but if it is from God, you cannot put it down; you may even find yourselves fighting against God." They gave in to him; and called the apostles in, and after flogging them, released them, with instructions not to speak about the name of Jesus.

Then Festus, after conferring with the council, answered. "You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you shall go." Verse ConceptsConversation

Then the king rose, and Bernice, and those who were sitting with him. When they had withdrawn they continued talking to one another. "This man is doing nothing," they said, "for which he deserves death or imprisonment."





Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You are permitted to speak for yourself." So Paul stretched forth his hand and began to make his defense. Verse Conceptsevangelism, kinds ofLawyersNamed Gentile RulersMan Defending


Then at a nod from the governor, Paul spoke. "Because I know that for many years you have been a judge in this nation, I feel encouraged to make my defense. Verse Conceptsevangelism, kinds ofJudgesSelf DefenceCheerfulnessMan Defending

And Agrippa said to Festus, "If he had not appealed to Caesar, he might have been set free." Verse ConceptsPeople Releasing Others

"But when the Jews objected I was forced to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything to accuse my nation of. Verse ConceptsNecessityAccusations, Nt Legal SystemPeople Accusing People

"If I am a criminal and have done anything for which I ought to die, I do not object to die. But if none of their charges is true, no man can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar." Verse ConceptsCivil authoritiesDeath penaltyGovernmentResigned To DeathNo Escape





When it became the day the elders if the people met with the high priests and the Scribes and had brought before the Sanhedrin, saying. Verse ConceptsDawnChief priestsAssembling LeadersDaybreakAt DaybreakOpposition To Christ From ScribesThe Chief Priests Convenedelders

So they brought them, and stood them before the Sanhedrin. Then the high priest questioned them. Verse ConceptsInterrogating








"Come to terms with your opponent quickly, while you are yet with him on the way [to the court], to prevent your opponent from handing you over to the judge, and the judge to the jailer, and so you be thrown into prison. Verse ConceptsAgreementDiscorddisagreementsLawyersJudgesOfficersAttorneyLawsuitsLitigationQuarrelsDebtorsAgreeingHanding Over PeopleImprisonmentsCourt SessionsPeople Accusing PeopleMisunderstandingsMaking Peace With EnemiesReconciliationConflictResolving Conflictjail





But when her owners saw that their hopes of gain were gone, they seized Paul and Silas, and dragged them before the magistrates, into the market-place. Then they brought them before the praetors, saying. "These fellows are Jews, who are making a great disturbance in our city. "They are teaching customs which it is not lawful for us as Romans to adopt or practise."





Then all his disciples forsook him and fled; but those who had apprehended Jesus led him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had assembled. Verse ConceptsArrestingOld Age, Attitudes ToAssembling LeadersRivers

And the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were trying to get false evidence against Jesus, in order that they might have him executed; Verse ConceptsChief priestsLeaders, SpiritualAttempts To Kill ChristSeeking For Abstract ThingsThe Chief Priests Condemning Christaccusations

Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and some struck him with the palms of their hands, and cried. Verse ConceptsIndignities Suffered By ChristGesturesCheeksSuffering, Causes OfThe Smiting Of JesusSpittingBatteryBeating JesusSalivaTurning The Other Cheek

When he had spoken these words, one of the police standing by gave him a blow with his hand, saying as he did so, "Is that the way you answer the high priest?" Jesus replied "If I have said anything wrong, give evidence concerning the wrong; but if I said what was true, why do you strike me?"


Now Jesus stood before the Governor, and the Governor questioned him. "Are you the King of the Jews?" he asked. Verse ConceptsClaimsJews, TheKingship, DivineStandingTreasonInterrogatingAssentingChrist Is King Of Israel


But Jesus kept silence. Again the high priest addressed him, "I adjure you 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 told them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give any man up for punishment, before the accused had his accusers face to face, and had opportunity of defending himself against the charges that had been brought against him. Verse ConceptsCustomContact With PeopleMan Defending


Now Jesus stood before the Governor, and the Governor questioned him. "Are you the King of the Jews?" he asked. Verse ConceptsClaimsJews, TheKingship, DivineStandingTreasonInterrogatingAssentingChrist Is King Of Israel

After they had bound him, they led him away, and handed him over to Pilate, the Roman Governor. Verse ConceptsGovernorsHanding Over ChristTying Up

dragged him outside the city, and stoned him, the witnesses throwing off their outer garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. Verse ConceptsCrimesevangelists, ministry ofMartyrdom, Examples OfMartyrdom Of The SaintsMartyrdom, Methods OfOutside The City








the tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks, and examined under the lash, to learn for what reason the people were thus crying out against him. Verse ConceptsScourgingInterrogatingChiliarchsWhy Do Others Do This?serenity

Then those who were about to scourge him, immediately left him. And the tribune too, was afraid, when he learned that Paul was a Roman citizen, for he had had him bound. Verse ConceptsChainsTying UpCitizens

From the house of Caiaphas they took Jesus to the Praetorium, and it was dawn. They themselves would not enter the Praetorium, in order that they might not be ceremonially defiled, but might be able to eat the Passover. Verse ConceptsPassover lambExclusivenessGovernorsHigh Priest, In NtPalacesReligionArmies, RomanRoyal Houses

and entering the Praetorium again, he said to Jesus, "What is your origin?" Verse ConceptsSilenceChrist Being SilentWhere From?






Rising to his feet the high priest asked Jesus. "Do you make no answer? What is it that these are testifying against you?" But Jesus kept silence. Again the high priest addressed him, "I adjure you by the Living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God!" "I am He," Jesus answered; "yet I tell you that from this time on you will see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming upon the clouds of heaven." read more.
Then the high priest tore his garments, saying. "He has spoken blasphemy! What further need have we of witnesses? For behold, now you have heard his blasphemy! "What is your verdict?" "He ought to die," they answered.

Then all his disciples forsook him and fled; but those who had apprehended Jesus led him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had assembled. Now Peter was following him, afar off, as far as the courtyard of the high priest; and when he got in, he was sitting with the officers, to see the end.


Then the high priest tore his garments, saying. "He has spoken blasphemy! What further need have we of witnesses? For behold, now you have heard his blasphemy! "What is your verdict?" "He ought to die," they answered.





Paul was about to open his mouth, when Gallio said to the Jews. "If it had been some misdemeanor or wicked villainy, it would have been within reason for me to listen to you Jews; but as these are merely questions about words and names and your own law, you yourselves must see to it. I am not willing to be a judge of these matters."

But when they had tied him up with the thongs, Paul said to the centurion who was standing near, "If a man is a Roman citizen, and uncondemned, is it lawful for you to scourge him?" When the centurion heard that, he went to the tribune and said to him. "What are you intending to do? This man is a Roman citizen." So the tribune came to Paul and asked him, "Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?" "Yes," he said. read more.
"I paid a large sum to get this citizenship," said the tribune. "But I was citizen-born," said Paul. Then those who were about to scourge him, immediately left him. And the tribune too, was afraid, when he learned that Paul was a Roman citizen, for he had had him bound.

"Then in hot anger his master handed him over to the torturers, until he should pay him all his debt. Verse ConceptsTortureJudicial PunishmentSettling AccountsDebtAnger And Forgiveness


Every one should be in the higher authorities; for there is no authority apart from God. The authorities that now exist have been appointed by God. Therefore the man who rebels against authority is opposing the divine ordinances; and those who withstand will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are no terror to good deeds, but to evil. Would you be fearless of the ruler's authority? Do what is good, and you will have his praise. read more.
For the ruler is God's minister appointed for your good. But if you are a wrong-doer, be afraid; he does not carry the sword to no purpose; he is God's servant, appointed to vengeance upon the guilty. Wherefore you must needs be in subjection, not only because of fear, but also for conscience sake.




"Take him yourselves," answered Pilate, "and judge him according to your law." Verse ConceptsLimitednessDeath Penalty For KillingFulfilling The Lawautonomy

"For as you go before the magistrate with your opponent do your utmost to get quit of him, lest he drag you before the judge, and the judge delivers you over to the officer, and the officer cast you into prison. Verse ConceptsdisagreementsImprisonmentsJudgesOfficersReconciliation, Between BelieversLitigationHanding Over PeopleStress And Hard TimesReconciliationPurgatoryeffortjail

Five days later, Ananias the high priest came down to Caesarea with some of the elders, and with an orator, named Tertullus. They laid information before the governor against Paul. Verse ConceptsAttorneyGovernorsHigh Priest, In NtFour Or Five DaysPeople Accusing People

"Our law does not condemn the accused, does it, before hearing his defense, and finding out what he is doing?" Verse ConceptsJudging RightlyExcellent LawNo Condemnationcondemnation

From him you will be able, by examining Paul yourself, to learn the truth of all these charges we are bringing against him." Verse ConceptsInvestigating