Bible Commentary

Deuteronomy 19:15-21

Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 19:15-21

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

Sentence should never be passed upon the testimony of one witness alone. A false witness should suffer the same punishment which he sought to have inflicted upon the person he accused. Nor could any law be more just.

Let all Christians not only be cautious in bearing witness in public, but be careful not to join in private slanders; and let all whose consciences accuse them of crime, without delay flee for refuge to the hope set before them in Jesus Christ.

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The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 19:1-21Deuteronomy 19:1-21 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION LAWS CONCERNING CITIES OF REFUGE. LANDMARKS NOT TO BE REMOVED. LAWS CONCERNING WITNESSES.False Witnesses. (b. c. 1451.)Deuteronomy 19:14-21 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleFALSE WITNESSES. (B. C. 1451.) Here is a statute for the preventing of frauds and perjuries; for the divine law takes care of men's rights and properties, and has made a hedge about them. Such a friend is it to human so…The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 19:14-21Deuteronomy 19:14-21 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe law of retaliation. When we consider "retaliation," we find that it is the converse of the "golden rule." In fact, it is giving back to a person his breach of that rule to see how he likes it. It is just a rough met…The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 19:15-21Deuteronomy 19:15-21 · The Pulpit CommentaryTo secure against injury to life or property through inadequate or false attestation, it is enacted that more than one witness must appear before anything can be established; and that, should a witness be found on trial…The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 19:15Deuteronomy 19:15 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe rule in Deuteronomy 17:6, regarding accusations of idolatry, is here extended to accusations of every kind before a court of justice; a single witness was not to be admitted as sufficient to convict a man of any off…The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 19:15-21Deuteronomy 19:15-21 · The Pulpit CommentaryBulwark against perjury. "The tongue is an unruly member, and cannot easily be restrained." Private slander is base enough, but its basest utterance is when, in the sacred halls of justice, it swears away a man's reputa…
commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 19:1-21EXPOSITION LAWS CONCERNING CITIES OF REFUGE. LANDMARKS NOT TO BE REMOVED. LAWS CONCERNING WITNESSES.Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryFalse Witnesses. (b. c. 1451.)FALSE WITNESSES. (B. C. 1451.) Here is a statute for the preventing of frauds and perjuries; for the divine law takes care of men's rights and properties, and has made a hedge about them. Such a friend is it to human so…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 19:14-21The law of retaliation. When we consider "retaliation," we find that it is the converse of the "golden rule." In fact, it is giving back to a person his breach of that rule to see how he likes it. It is just a rough met…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 19:15-21Bulwark against perjury. "The tongue is an unruly member, and cannot easily be restrained." Private slander is base enough, but its basest utterance is when, in the sacred halls of justice, it swears away a man's reputa…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 19:15-21To secure against injury to life or property through inadequate or false attestation, it is enacted that more than one witness must appear before anything can be established; and that, should a witness be found on trial…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 19:15The rule in Deuteronomy 17:6, regarding accusations of idolatry, is here extended to accusations of every kind before a court of justice; a single witness was not to be admitted as sufficient to convict a man of any off…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 19:16To testify against him that which is wrong; literally, to testify against him defection, i.e. from the Law of God. The speaker has apparently in view here all such defections from the Law as would entail punishment on t…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 19:16-21False witness. God's brand is here placed upon the crime of false witness. It was to be severely punished. Every one is interested in the suppression of such a crime-the parties whose interests are involved, society at…Joseph S. Exell and contributors