Thematic Bible: Courts of justice


Thematic Bible



This is now the third time that I am coming to visit you. The testimony of two or three witnesses must uphold an accusation. (Deuteronomy 19:15) Verse ConceptsThree WitnessesWitnesses, LegalTwo Or ThreeActing Three TimesWitnessing

On the evidence and testimony of two witnesses or three witnesses, he who is to die shall be put to death. He shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness. Verse ConceptsAgreements, LegalThree WitnessesMurderProof, As EvidenceWitnesses, LegalOnly One PersonTwo Or Threetestimony

One witness is not enough to convict someone of a crime, offense, or sin he may have committed. Cases must be settled based on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Verse ConceptsAgreements, LegalConfirmationThree WitnessesdisagreementsMurderProof, As EvidenceRightsWitnesses, LegalOnly One PersonNot AloneTwo Or ThreeGuiltWitnessingBeing Singletestimonytestifyingaccusations

It is written in your law that the witness of two men is true. Verse ConceptsTwo WitnessesTwo WitnessesWritten In The Lawtestimonytestifyingcredibility

His father and mother shall seize him, and bring him out to the elders of his city at the gateway of his hometown. Verse ConceptsGatesComing To Gates

Appoint judges and officers for your tribes in every city Jehovah your God gives you. They are to judge the people fairly. Verse Conceptsethics, incentives towardsCivic RighteousnessJudgesTownMagistratesAdministrationJudging RightlyMan AppointingAppointments

Hamor and his son Shechem went to their city gate to speak to the men of their city. They said: Verse ConceptsBusiness At The Gateway

His children are far from help. They are crushed at the court of justice at the city gate. No one is there to rescue them. Verse Conceptsdefence, humanSafetyGod Is HolyChildren Suffering

Speak of it, you who ride on white donkeys, sitting on saddles. You that must walk wherever you go. Verse ConceptsDonkeysBackRoadsWalkingTravellersVolunteering

While he was seated in judgment his wife sent a message to him. She said, Do not judge that righteous man. I have had much trouble this day in a dream because of him. Verse ConceptsInnocence, Examples OfJudgment SeatJudgesWise CouncelSittingSleeplessnessWivesVisions And Dreams In ScriptureChrist, Names ForJudgement SeatLeave Them AloneWife

The next day Moses settled disputes among the people. He was busy from morning till night. Verse ConceptsMoses, Significance OfSittingStandingSitting To TeachPeople Involved In JudgementFrom Morning Till Evening



When they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and those who were with him. He called the council together and all the senate of the children of Israel and sent to the prison to have them brought. Verse Conceptselders, as community leadersSanhedrinTeachersDaybreakTeaching In The ChurchAt DaybreakBringing People Out Of Other PlacesDisciples In The Temple

O house of David, Jehovah says: Administer justice every morning. Deliver the person who has been robbed from the power of his oppressor. That way I may not have to offer my wrath like fire and burn with none to extinguish it, because of the evil of your deeds.' Verse ConceptsMorningFire Of God's AngerSaving PeopleEvery MorningRobbing People

The next day the assembly of the elders of the people was gathered together. They included chief priests and scribes. They led him away to their council, saying: Verse ConceptsDawnChief priestsAssembling LeadersDaybreakAt DaybreakOpposition To Christ From ScribesThe Chief Priests Convenedelders

They judged the people on a permanent basis. The difficult cases were taken to Moses but they decided the smaller disputes themselves. Verse ConceptsPeople Involved In JudgementHard TasksUnimportant ThingsStrength In Hard Times

You will not show partiality in judgment. You shall hear the small and the great. You will not fear man for the judgment is God's. The case that is too hard for you, bring to me, and I will hear it.' Verse ConceptsLawsuitsSmallnessMagistratesFear Of ManPartialityGreat And SmallHard TasksDo Not Fear MenJudgingRespectMaking DecisionsDecision MakingConflictFamily ConflictRespecting AuthorityJudging Others Actionsdiscrimination

If any case is too difficult for you to decide, between one kind of homicide or another, between one kind of lawsuit or another, and between one kind of assault or another, being cases of dispute in your courts, then you should go to the place Jehovah your God chooses. Approach the Levitical priest or the judge who is in office in those days. Inquire of them and they will declare to you the verdict in the case.

I punished them in every synagogue and tried to force them to recant their beliefs. I was exceedingly mad against them. I persecuted them even in strange cities. Verse ConceptsForeign ThingsBlasphemy


I answered, 'Lord they know very well that I went to the synagogues and arrested and beat those who believe in you. Verse ConceptsFloggingBeating Believers

A man wearing a gold ring and fine clothes and a poor man in shabby clothes comes into your synagogue. Verse ConceptsCongregationFilthinessGoldOrnamentsRingsRagsChurch GatheringsFine ClothesFoul ClothesGold OrnamentsPoor PeopleThe Rich Lording ItgaysBeing Gay

Moses and Aaron, together with Nadab and Abihu and the seventy leaders, went up the mountain. Verse ConceptsAaron, PrivilegesGoing Up MountainsSeventiesThe Elderly

Jehovah replied to Moses: Assemble seventy respected men who are recognized as elders of the people. Bring them to me at the tent of my presence, and tell them to stand there beside you. I will come down and speak with you there. I will take some of the spirit I have given and give it to them. Then they can help you bear the responsibility for these people. You will not have to bear it alone.

Thus Moses went out and told the people what Jehovah said. He assembled seventy of the leaders and placed them around the tent. Jehovah came down in the cloud and spoke to him. He took some of the spirit he had given to Moses and gave it to the seventy elders. When the Spirit came on them, they began to shout like prophets, but not for long. Two of the seventy elders, Eldad and Medad, stayed in the camp and did not go out to the tent. There in the camp the Spirit came on them, and they too began to shout like prophets. read more.
A young man ran out to tell Moses what Eldad and Medad were doing. Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses' helper since he was a young man, spoke up and said to Moses: Stop them, sir! Moses asked him: Do you think you need to stand up for me? I wish all Jehovah's people were prophets and that Jehovah would put his Spirit on them! Then Moses and the elders of Israel went back to the camp.


Why do you judge your brother? Why do you look down on your brother with contempt? We will all stand before the judgment seat of God (Theos). Verse ConceptsJudgment SeatStandingJesus Christ, JudgeNot JudgingDo Not DespiseJudgement SeatBelittlingJudging Others Actionscriticism

Do you not know that the holy ones will judge the world? And if you will judge the world, are you unworthy to judge these small matters? Verse ConceptsCourtsHoliness, Purpose OfMillenniumSaintsBelievers JudgingFamily ProblemsJudgement DayJudgementJudging Others Actions

If the wicked man deserves to be beaten, the judge will then make him lie down and be beaten in his presence. The number of lashes is according to his guilt. Verse ConceptsSin, God's Judgment OnAdvice On Beating People

Joshua said: Why have you troubled us? Jehovah will trouble you this day. All Israel stoned them with stones. After they stoned them they burned them with fire. Verse ConceptsThe DeadTrouble, Causes OfDeath penaltyPunishment, Legal Aspects OfRetributionBurning PeopleTroubling Groups Of PeopleFamily Death

Wishing to please the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. Then he handed over Jesus. He was flogged and impaled. The soldiers led him away to the court in the Praetorium building (governor's palace). They assembled together all of the troops. They clothed him with purple. After weaving a crown of thorns they put it on him. read more.
Hail King of the Jews! They shouted at him. They struck his head with a reed and spat on him. They bowed their knees in false adoration to him. After they mocked him, they took the purple off of him, and put his own garments on him. They led him out to impale him.

One of the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had a reputation among all the people. He commanded to put the apostles outside for a while. He said to them: You men of Israel be careful what you intend to do to these men. Sometime ago Theudas claimed to be somebody. About four hundred men joined and obeyed him. He was killed and they finally dispersed. read more.
After this man Judas of Galilee rose in the days of the taxing, and drew away many people after him. He also perished and all who obeyed him dispersed. I tell you: Leave these men alone. If this message and this work are from men it will come to nothing. But if it is from God, you cannot overthrow it; otherwise you may find yourselves fighting against God. They agreed with him and called the apostles. They beat them and commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus. Then they let them go.

Then Festus conferred with his council and answered: Have you appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go. Verse ConceptsConversation

When he finished speaking, the king rose up and the governor and Bernice and all who sat with them. As they left they talked between themselves, saying, This man does nothing worthy of death or of prison.


He told the judges: Be careful when you make your decisions in court. Remember these are Jehovah's people. He will know the judgements you decide. Do your work in honor of him and know that he will not allow you to be unfair to anyone or to take bribes.

Appoint judges and officers for your tribes in every city Jehovah your God gives you. They are to judge the people fairly. Verse Conceptsethics, incentives towardsCivic RighteousnessJudgesTownMagistratesAdministrationJudging RightlyMan AppointingAppointments

He appointed judges in the country, in each fortified city of Judah. He told the judges: Be careful when you make your decisions in court. Remember these are Jehovah's people. He will know the judgements you decide. Do your work in honor of him and know that he will not allow you to be unfair to anyone or to take bribes.

Agrippa said to Paul, You are permitted to speak for yourself. Then Paul stretched out his arm and began his defense, Verse Conceptsevangelism, kinds ofLawyersNamed Gentile RulersMan Defending

The other woman said: The living child is mine, and the dead one is yours! The first woman answered back: The dead child is yours, and the living one is mine! They argued before the king. Verse ConceptsContradictingDeath Of A Child

The governor motioned for Paul to speak. He said, I know that you have been a judge for this nation for many years. For this reason I cheerfully make my defense. Verse Conceptsevangelism, kinds ofJudgesSelf DefenceCheerfulnessMan Defending

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

When the Jews brought charges against me again I presented my cause to Caesar for I said nothing against my nation. Verse ConceptsNecessityAccusations, Nt Legal SystemPeople Accusing People

If I am a wrongdoer, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I do not refuse to die. But if charges brought against me by the Jews are not true no man has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar. Verse ConceptsCivil authoritiesDeath penaltyGovernmentResigned To DeathNo Escape

Now I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother [without cause] shall be guilty before the court. Whoever speaks to his brother with words of contempt shall receive condemnation before the Sanhedrin [Supreme Court]. Curse your brother and you will be guilty enough to be destroyed by fire, with the burning trash, at the Valley of Hinnom, outside of Jerusalem (Greek: Gehenna). Verse ConceptsAngerThe DeadFools, In Teaching Of Jesus ChristBad AttitudeAggressionethics, personalethics, basis ofelders, as community leadersAnger, HumanHell, As Incentive To ActionHumiliationLanguagesPainPunishment, By GodResponsibility, To GodRidicule, Nature OfSanhedrinSpeech, Negative Aspects OfTemperGehennaAnger ManagementFire Of HellDifferent TeachingsCounted As FoolsFound GuiltyGod SuingInsulting Other PeopleHellAnger And ForgivenessSibling Loverisk


His children are far from help. They are crushed at the court of justice at the city gate. No one is there to rescue them. Verse Conceptsdefence, humanSafetyGod Is HolyChildren Suffering

The chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council. They asked what they should do. This man does many signs and miracles. Verse ConceptsChief priestsSigns Of The TimesProphecies Concerning ChristPlottingSigns Performed By ChristThe Chief Priests Convenedaccomplishment

The next day the assembly of the elders of the people was gathered together. They included chief priests and scribes. They led him away to their council, saying: Verse ConceptsDawnChief priestsAssembling LeadersDaybreakAt DaybreakOpposition To Christ From ScribesThe Chief Priests Convenedelders

They brought them before the council and the high priest asked them: Verse ConceptsInterrogating


Jehovah our God spoke to us in Horeb. He said: 'You have lived long enough on this mountain. Verse ConceptsActionsMoving On


How horrible it will be for those who enact unjust laws and who decree oppressive regulations. Verse Conceptsethics, socialWicked RulersRulers, WickedHuman LawWoe To The WickedInjusticeMaking DecisionsDecision Makingoppression

We may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes, and sell the refuse of the wheat? Verse ConceptsBuying and sellingSandalsTradeShoesPollutionsRubbishNot Helping The PoorPrice Set On Individuals

The man who acts presumptuously and does not listen to the priest or the judge will die. This way you will purge the evil from Israel. The priests and judges are there to serve Jehovah your God. Verse Conceptsethics, socialDeath penaltyHigh Priest, In OtIrreverenceJudgesMinistry, Nature OfSin, Nature OfStubbornnessAnarchyDeath Penalty For Violence

Now Deborah, the wife of Lappidoth, was a prophet, and she was serving as a judge for the Israelites at that time. She held court under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim. The children of Israel came to her for judgment.


Appoint judges and officers for your tribes in every city Jehovah your God gives you. They are to judge the people fairly. Verse Conceptsethics, incentives towardsCivic RighteousnessJudgesTownMagistratesAdministrationJudging RightlyMan AppointingAppointments

Samuel did what Jehovah told him. When he came to Bethlehem the elders of the city trembled at his coming. They greeted him and said: May peace be with you. Verse ConceptsTownTremblingFear Of Individuals

If the man does not desire to take his brother's wife, his brother's wife shall go up to the gate to the elders and say: My husband's brother refuses to establish a name for his brother in Israel. He is not willing to perform the duty of a husband's brother to me. Verse ConceptsOld Age, Attitudes ToTownComing To GatesPeople UnwillingBrothers in lawMarriage Between Man And Woman

One of them said: Your Majesty, this woman and I live in the same house. I gave birth to a baby boy at home while she was there. Two days after my child was born she also gave birth to a baby boy. Only the two of us were there in the house. No one else was there. One night she accidentally rolled over on her baby and smothered it. read more.
She got up during the night and took my son from my side while I was asleep. She took him to her bed and put the dead child in my bed. The next morning I woke up and was going to nurse my baby. It was dead. I looked at it more closely and saw that it was not my child.

When her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they grabbed Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. They took them to the magistrates and said: These men, being Jews, cause great trouble in our city. They offer customs that it is not lawful for us to receive, or to observe, being Romans.


Never pervert justice. Always be impartial. Never take a bribe, because bribes blind wise people and deny justice to those who are in the right. Verse ConceptsFavouritismBlindness, SymbolicInjustice, Hated By GodReward, HumanRighteous, TheMagistratesAvoiding BribesBlindingOther Blinding

The priests should teach the true knowledge of God. They are the messengers of Jehovah of Hosts. Therefore the people should learn (my will) the law from them. Verse ConceptsLeaders, SpiritualOccupationsPriests, Function In Ot TimesSpeech, Positive Aspects OfStumbling BlocksValuing KnowledgeLet Your Speech Be GoodTeaching The Way Of Godpreservationpriests

Approach the Levitical priest or the judge who is in office in those days. Inquire of them and they will declare to you the verdict in the case. Verse ConceptsCourtsPriesthood, In OtPriests, Function In Ot Timespriests

Those who captured Jesus took him to the house of Caiaphas, the high priest. The scribes and those in authority also gathered there. Verse ConceptsArrestingOld Age, Attitudes ToAssembling LeadersRivers

The chief priests and all the Sanhedrin were looking for false witness against Jesus. They wanted to put him 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 struck Jesus with his hand, saying: You answer the high priest! Jesus answered him: If I spoke evil, bear witness of the evil. But if I spoke honestly, why do you strike me?

These cities will be places of refuge from any relative who can avenge the death. So anyone accused of murder will not have to die until he has had a trial in front of the community. Verse ConceptsRedemption, In Everyday LifeStandingMan AvengingDeath Of A Family Member

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

Jehovah continued: If you are a witness under oath who refuses to tell what you saw or what you know, you are sinning and will be punished. Verse ConceptsProof, As EvidenceSin BearerWitnesses, LegalAdjurationGuiltResponsibilityWitnessingSwearingMoralityRemoving People From Your LifeMaking Mistakestestimonypartnershipconsequencestestifyingperformance

Jesus said nothing. The high priest said to him: I put you on oath, by the living God, that you will 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

Boaz went to the public place in the town and sat down. When the kinsman-redeemer came along, the one he had mentioned, Boaz said: Come here, and sit down. He came and was seated. Then he got ten of the responsible men of the town, and said: Be seated here. And they took their seats.

Ephron's field at Machpelah, east of Mamre, was sold to Abraham. His property included the field with the cave in it as well as all the trees inside the boundaries of the field. The Hittites together with all who had entered the city gate were the official witnesses for the agreement. Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave in the field of Machpelah, east of Mamre (Hebron), in the land of Canaan. read more.
The Hittites sold the field and its cave to Abraham as his property to be used as a tomb.

I told them it is not the Roman practice to deliver any man to die before his accusers face him. He should answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him. Verse ConceptsCustomContact With PeopleMan Defending

When there is a dispute between men and they go to court, and the judges decide their case. They justify the righteous and condemn the wicked. Verse Conceptsethics, incentives towardsInnocence, Teaching OnJustification, Necessity OfLawsuitsMagistrates

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

They tied his hands with cords and led him to the ruler, Pilate. Verse ConceptsGovernorsHanding Over ChristTying Up

They threw him out of the city, and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet. His name was Saul. Verse ConceptsCrimesevangelists, ministry ofMartyrdom, Examples OfMartyrdom Of The SaintsMartyrdom, Methods OfOutside The City

The witnesses must throw the first stone to put him to death, and afterward all the people. So you shall purge the evil from your midst. Verse ConceptsBeing Firstevil, warnings againstBanishmentPurity, Moral And SpiritualWitnesses, LegalFirst To Act

He added: How I wish I were a judge! Then anyone who had a dispute or a claim could come to me. I would give him justice. Verse ConceptsJudgesWorldly Ambition ExamplesMan Appointing

They judged the people on a permanent basis. The difficult cases were taken to Moses but they decided the smaller disputes themselves. Verse ConceptsPeople Involved In JudgementHard TasksUnimportant ThingsStrength In Hard Times

You should choose capable men from all the people. Find men who respect God. These must be men you can trust who hate corruption. Put them in charge of groups of 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

and chose capable men from among all the Israelites. He appointed them as leaders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. Verse ConceptsBeing OrganizedTen PeopleFiftiesOne HundredA Thousand PeopleChoosing PeopleSkilled PeopleLeadersLeadership Qualitiesinvestingorganizationgroups

Do not show partiality to a poor man at his trial. Verse ConceptsFavouritismLawsuitsPrejudice


The Roman commander ordered his men to take Paul into the barracks. He told them to whip him in order to find out why the Jews were screaming like this against him. Verse ConceptsScourgingInterrogatingChiliarchsWhy Do Others Do This?serenity

At once the men who were going to question Paul drew back from him. The commander was frightened when he found out that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had put him in chains. Verse ConceptsChainsTying UpCitizens

They lead Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. It was early and they did not enter directly into the Praetorium, that they might not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. Verse ConceptsPassover lambExclusivenessGovernorsHigh Priest, In NtPalacesReligionArmies, RomanRoyal Houses

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

Act according to the terms of the verdict they declare to you from that place Jehovah chooses. Be careful to abide by all that they teach you. Act according to the verdict and the terms they tell you. Do not turn away from the word they declare to you.

He appointed judges in the country, in each fortified city of Judah. He told the judges: Be careful when you make your decisions in court. Remember these are Jehovah's people. He will know the judgements you decide. Do your work in honor of him and know that he will not allow you to be unfair to anyone or to take bribes. read more.
Jehoshaphat also appointed some Levites, some priests, and some of the family leaders to serve as judges in Jerusalem. He told them: Faithfully serve Jehovah! Warn your relatives living in other cities about every case they bring to you, even if the case involves bloodshed or commandments, rules, or regulations derived from the law. Then your relatives will not become guilty in front of Jehovah. Otherwise, he will become angry with you and your relatives. Do this and you will not be guilty of anything.

Appoint judges and officers for your tribes in every city Jehovah your God gives you. They are to judge the people fairly. Verse Conceptsethics, incentives towardsCivic RighteousnessJudgesTownMagistratesAdministrationJudging RightlyMan AppointingAppointments

The judges must make a thorough investigation. If it is found that the witness lied when he testified against the other Israelite, Verse ConceptsInvestigating

do to him what he planned to do to the other person. Get rid of this evil. Verse ConceptsBanishmentSin, God's Judgment OnEquality Of Punishment

The high priest stood up and said to him: Have you no answer? What is it these say against you? Jesus said nothing. The high priest said to him: I put you on oath, by the living God, that you will tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus said to him: You said it yourself. And I say to you, after this 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 ripped his robes apart and said: He has said evil against God! Why do we need more witnesses? You have heard his words of blasphemy! What is your opinion? The crowd answered: Put him to death!

Those who captured Jesus took him to the house of Caiaphas, the high priest. The scribes and those in authority also gathered there. But Peter kept his distance. He followed him to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the servants, to see the outcome.

If any case is too difficult for you to decide, between one kind of homicide or another, between one kind of lawsuit or another, and between one kind of assault or another, being cases of dispute in your courts, then you should go to the place Jehovah your God chooses. Verse ConceptsSacred PlacesHard Tasks

Then the high priest ripped his robes apart and said: He has said evil against God! Why do we need more witnesses? You have heard his words of blasphemy! What is your opinion? The crowd answered: Put him to death!

The next day Moses settled disputes among the people. He was busy from morning till night. Jethro saw everything that Moses had to do. He asked: What is all this that you are doing for the people? Why are you doing this all alone? There are people standing here from morning till night to consult you? Moses answered: They come here to find out what God wants them to do. read more.
They bring their complaints to me. I make decisions on the basis of God's laws. Jethro replied: That is not a good way to do it. You and your people will wear yourselves out. This is too much work for you. You cannot do it alone! Listen to the advice I give you. May God be with you! You must be the people's representative to God and bring their disagreements to him. You must instruct them in the laws and the teachings. Show them how to live and tell them what to do.

The man who cursed my name must be taken outside the camp. All who heard him curse my name must lay their hands on his head. Then the whole congregation must 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

Open your mouth for the dumb in the cause of all who are appointed to destruction. Open your mouth and judge righteously. Plead the cause of the poor and needy.

These are the things that you should do. Every man should speak the truth with his neighbor. Execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates (towns). Verse ConceptsLawsuitsBusiness At The GatewayJudging RightlyPerforming The TruthSpeaking TruthDoing God's WorksSeek PeaceJudgmentsTelling The Truth

Paul was about to speak when Gallio said to the Jews: If you Jews were about to complain about some crime it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. But it involves questions about words and names in your own law so look to it yourselves. I will not be judge of these matters.

When they tied him up to be whipped Paul said to the officer standing there, Is it lawful for you to whip a Roman citizen who has not been tried for a crime? When the officer heard this, he went to the commander and asked him: What are you doing? That man is a Roman citizen! The commander went to Paul and asked him: Tell me, are you a Roman citizen? Yes, answered Paul. read more.
The commander said: I became one by paying a large amount of money. I am one by birth, Paul answered. At once the men who were going to question Paul drew back from him. The commander was frightened when he found out that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had put him in chains.

His lord was angry and sent him to jail to be punished until he paid back all of his debt. Verse ConceptsTortureJudicial PunishmentSettling AccountsDebtAnger And Forgiveness

In all disputes the priests must act as judges and make decisions based on my Laws. They must obey my rules and my regulations at all my festivals. They must observe holy days to worship me. Verse ConceptsJudgesOrdinancesPriests, Function In Ot TimesHoly TimesSabbath ObservedFestivals ObservedKeep The Commandments!Resolving Conflict

Let every person be subject to superior authorities. For there is no authority except by God. God allows the authorities to serve in their positions. Whoever opposes the authority resists the ordinance of God. Those who resist will receive judgment. For rulers are objects of fear, not to good works, but to the evil. Will you not have respect for the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from it. read more.
He is the minister of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid for he does not bear the sword in vain. He is the minister of God, an avenger to execute wrath upon him that does evil. You must be in subjection, not only because of that wrath, but also for the sake of your conscience.

How horrible it will be for those who enact unjust laws and who decree oppressive regulations. Verse Conceptsethics, socialWicked RulersRulers, WickedHuman LawWoe To The WickedInjusticeMaking DecisionsDecision Makingoppression

Joshua said to Achan: My son, give glory to Jehovah God of Israel and confess to him. Tell me now what you have done. Do not hide it from me. Verse ConceptsHiding Sins

Speak of it, you who ride on white donkeys, sitting on saddles. You that must walk wherever you go. Verse ConceptsDonkeysBackRoadsWalkingTravellersVolunteering

Pilate replied: Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law. The Jews said: It is not lawful for us to put any man to death. Verse ConceptsLimitednessDeath Penalty For KillingFulfilling The Lawautonomy

For example when an opponent brings you to court, try to settle before you get there. Otherwise, he will drag you in front of a judge and the judge will hand you over to an officer who will throw you into prison. Verse ConceptsdisagreementsImprisonmentsJudgesOfficersReconciliation, Between BelieversLitigationHanding Over PeopleStress And Hard TimesReconciliationPurgatoryeffortjail

After five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders. They brought an orator, Tertullus, who made a statement to the governor against Paul. Verse ConceptsAttorneyGovernorsHigh Priest, In NtFour Or Five DaysPeople Accusing People

Does our law convict a man without first hearing from him to find out what he has done? Verse ConceptsJudging RightlyExcellent LawNo Condemnationcondemnation

He commanded his accusers to come to you. Examine him yourself and you will learn the truth about these charges we bring against him. Verse ConceptsInvestigating

And you, Ezra, by the wisdom of your God which is in you, are to put rulers and judges to have authority over all the people across the river who have knowledge of the laws of your God. You are to teach any who have no knowledge of them. Verse ConceptsGod, Wisdom OfJudgesMagistratesBeyond The RiverTeaching The Way Of God