Thematic Bible: The accused
Thematic Bible
Courts of justice » The accused » The evidence of two or more witnesses required in
This will be the third time I am coming to you. "Every accusation must be verified by two or three witnesses."
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.
"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.
In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two people is valid.
Courts of justice » The accused » Permitted to plead their own cause
Then Agrippa told Paul, "You have permission to speak for yourself." So Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense.
"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.
When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, he replied:
Courts of justice » The accused » Sometimes treated with insult
Then they spit in his face and hit him. Some slapped him,
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?"
Courts of justice » The accused » Stood before the judge
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.
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."
Courts of justice » The accused » Examined on oath
"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."
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!"
Courts of justice » The accused » Sometimes examined by torture
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.
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.
Courts of justice » The accused » Witnesses sometimes laid their hands on the criminal's head before punishment
"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.
Courts of justice » The accused » Might have advocates
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.
Courts of justice » The accused » Exhorted to confess
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."