In the context of biblical law and justice, the role of a prosecutor as understood in modern legal systems is not explicitly outlined in the Scriptures. However, the principles of justice, advocacy, and the pursuit of truth are deeply embedded in biblical teachings. The concept of a prosecutor can be inferred through various roles and narratives that emphasize justice and the upholding of God's law.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the legal system was primarily theocratic, with God’s law serving as the ultimate standard. The priests and judges were responsible for interpreting and applying the law. Deuteronomy 16:18-20 states, "Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the LORD your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly. Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent. Pursue justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the LORD your God is giving you."

While there were no formal prosecutors, the accuser played a role similar to that of a prosecutor. In cases of wrongdoing, witnesses were required to establish guilt. Deuteronomy 19:15 emphasizes the need for multiple witnesses: "A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of advocacy and accusation takes on a spiritual dimension. Satan is often depicted as the accuser, as seen in Revelation 12:10 : "Then I heard a loud voice in heaven saying: 'Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ. For the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, he who accuses them day and night before our God.'"

Jesus Christ is portrayed as the ultimate advocate for humanity, standing in contrast to the accuser. In 1 John 2:1 , it is written, "My little children, I write these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One."

Principles of Justice

The Bible consistently upholds the principles of justice, fairness, and truth. Proverbs 17:15 warns against injustice: "Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous—both are detestable to the LORD." This reflects the biblical mandate for those in roles of judgment or prosecution to act with integrity and righteousness.

The role of a prosecutor, while not explicitly defined, can be seen as part of the broader biblical call to uphold justice and truth. Those who take on such roles are reminded of the weight of their responsibility and the divine standard to which they are held accountable. Micah 6:8 encapsulates this calling: "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"

The Christian Conception of Life Has Already Arisen in Our Society ...
... are often the subject of jests among them. It is the same with judges and
public prosecutors. The judges, whose duty it is to judge ...
/.../the kingdom of god is within you/chapter xi the christian conception.htm

The Crown of Thorns.
... Pilate had failed in his attempt to save Jesus from the hands of His prosecutors,
whose rage against their Victim was only intensified by the struggle in which ...
/.../stalker/the trial and death of jesus christ/chapter vii the crown of.htm

Eunomius Himself Proves that the Confession of Faith which He Made ...
... A little further on he adds this; "If he thinks that, because I would have nothing
to do with a jury who were really my prosecutors he can argue away my apology ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 7 eunomius himself proves.htm

To Bishop Iren??us.
... But if the defendant were to call into court authorities accused by the prosecutors,
even the judge himself would not consent to receive them. ...
/.../theodoret/the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/xvi to bishop irenaeus.htm

To Anatolius the Patrician.
... to make their indictment, and the motive of the witnesses is tested to see that
they are not giving evidence to curry favour with the prosecutors, or are ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/cxix to anatolius the patrician.htm

To Florentius the Patrician.
... to accept as true what is charged against men in their absence; rather is it lawful
and right that those who wish to appear as prosecutors should accuse the ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/lxxxix to florentius the patrician.htm

Art Thou a King?
... been used for the arrest. But, clearly, those who brought him a prisoner
were bound to be the prosecutors. Whether or not Pilate ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture st john chaps xv to xxi/art thou a king.htm

Before Caiaphas
... officers. And so they found themselves without evidence, and had to play the
part of prosecutors when they ought to be impartial judges. ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 14 53-65 before caiaphas.htm

Letter Lxxxviii. (AD 406. )
... Emperor aforesaid, in a letter of which we annex a copy, bears witness that in this
trial your party were before him as accusers and most strenuous prosecutors ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter lxxxviii a d 406.htm

Acts XXIV
... point was made, and presented in the ironical form which it bears, in order to show
Felix that it was party jealousy which instigated his Sadducee prosecutors. ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xxiv.htm

Prosecutors (1 Occurrence)
...Prosecutors (1 Occurrence). Acts 24:19 They ought to have been here before you,
and to have been my prosecutors, if they have any charge to bring against me. ...
/p/prosecutors.htm - 6k

Prosecutor (1 Occurrence)

/p/prosecutor.htm - 7k

Proselyte (2 Occurrences)

/p/proselyte.htm - 26k

Charge (379 Occurrences)
... (WEY ASV RSV). Acts 24:19 They ought to have been here before you, and to have been
my prosecutors, if they have any charge to bring against me. (WEY NIV). ...
/c/charge.htm - 41k

What does the Bible say about lawyers? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus