Deu 19:15-21 | TNotes | STEP | 19:15 The word of one witness alone would count no more than the word of the accused. However, two or three witnesses would confirm or discount each other’s testimony. For New Testament references to this law, see Matt 18:15-20 ; John 8:17-18 ; 2 Cor 13:1-2 and study note.

a19:15►

bMatt 18:15-20►

cJohn 8:17-18►

d2 Cor 13:1-2►

e19:21►

fExod 21:23►

gLev 24:20►

hRom 13:1-7►

i1 Sam 25:26►

j33►

kMatt 5:38-39►

l1 Cor 6:1-8►

‏ Deuteronomy 19:15-21

19:15 ^a The word of one witness alone would count no more than the word of the accused. However, two or three witnesses would confirm or discount each other’s testimony. For New Testament references to this law, see Matt 18:15-20 ^b; John 8:17-18 ^c; 2 Cor 13:1-2 ^d and study note.
19:21 ^e The legal principle described as life for life is known as lex talionis (“law of retaliation”), according to which the punishment must fit the crime (see Exod 21:23 ^f; Lev 24:20 ^g); it should be neither too lenient nor too severe. Appropriate punishment is a necessary function of government (cp. Rom 13:1-7 ^h), and it served to maintain Israel’s spiritual integrity as God’s people (see study note on Deut 17:7). But vengeance belongs to God, not individuals (see 1 Sam 25:26 ⁱ, 33 ^j; Matt 5:38-39 ^k; 1 Cor 6:1-8 ^l).