Courts of Justice: The Accused: Sometimes Examined by Torture
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In the context of ancient judicial systems, the examination of the accused by means of torture was a practice that, while not explicitly detailed in the Hebrew Scriptures, can be inferred from historical and cultural contexts surrounding biblical narratives. The Bible provides instances where the treatment of the accused reflects the harsh realities of ancient legal practices.

Old Testament Context

The Mosaic Law, as given to the Israelites, established a legal system that emphasized justice and fairness. However, the Law does not explicitly mention the use of torture as a means of extracting confessions or information. The principles of justice outlined in the Torah, such as the requirement for multiple witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15), suggest a system that sought to protect the innocent and ensure fair trials. The absence of direct references to torture in the Mosaic Law indicates a divine intention for justice to be administered without undue cruelty.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the Roman legal system, which often employed torture, provides a backdrop for understanding the judicial processes of the time. The trial of Jesus Christ is a significant example where the accused was subjected to severe physical abuse. Although not explicitly described as torture for the purpose of extracting information, the treatment of Jesus by Roman soldiers, including flogging and mockery (Matthew 27:26-31, Mark 15:15-20, John 19:1-3), reflects the brutal methods sometimes employed in Roman judicial proceedings.

The Apostle Paul also encountered the threat of torture. In Acts 22:24, the Roman commander ordered Paul to be flogged and questioned to determine the reason for the uproar against him. However, Paul invoked his rights as a Roman citizen to avoid such treatment, highlighting the legal protections available to Roman citizens and the potential for abuse in the absence of such protections.

Cultural and Historical Insights

The use of torture in ancient judicial systems was not uncommon in the broader cultural context of the Near East and the Roman Empire. It was often employed as a means to extract confessions or information from the accused. This practice, while not sanctioned by biblical law, reflects the harsh realities of human justice systems that often fell short of the divine ideal.

The biblical narrative, through its silence on the endorsement of torture and its emphasis on justice and mercy, suggests a higher standard for the treatment of the accused. The prophetic literature, such as the writings of Isaiah and Jeremiah, frequently condemns injustice and the abuse of power, calling for righteousness and equity in the treatment of all individuals (Isaiah 1:17, Jeremiah 22:3).

Conclusion

While the Bible does not provide explicit instructions regarding the use of torture in judicial proceedings, the overarching principles of justice, mercy, and the protection of the innocent stand in contrast to the harsh practices observed in surrounding cultures. The biblical narrative calls for a justice system that reflects God's character, emphasizing fairness and the inherent dignity of every individual.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Acts 22:24,29
The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know why they cried so against him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Transformation of Rome from a Pagan into a Christian City.
... He has been accused of having accepted from the people of ... centre of the quadri-porticoes
or courts by which ... magistrates, used to sit and administer justice in S ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter i the transformation of.htm

The Close of the Theban Empire
... reign throughout his realm, and that justice should be ... Some members of the courts
of the Ramessides ... The stone was sometimes fixed, but frequently arranged so ...
/.../chapter iiithe close of the.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

Resources
What are the courts of heaven? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the money changers in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that “zeal for your house will consume me” in John 2:17? | GotQuestions.org

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Subtopics

Courts

Courts of Justice of the Romans in Judea: Appeals From, Made to the Emperor

Courts of Justice of the Romans in Judea: Could Alone Award Death

Courts of Justice of the Romans in Judea: Never Examined Their own Citizens by Torture

Courts of Justice of the Romans in Judea: Never Interfered in Any Dispute About Minor Matters Or

Courts of Justice of the Romans in Judea: Place of, Called the Hall of Judgment

Courts of Justice of the Romans in Judea: Presided Over by the Governor or Deputy

Courts of Justice: Both the Accusers and Accused Required to Appear Before

Courts of Justice: Causes In, Were Opened by an Advocate

Courts of Justice: Causes In, Were Opened by The Complainant

Courts of Justice: Corruption and Bribery often Practised In

Courts of Justice: False Witnesses in to Receive the Punishment of the Accused

Courts of Justice: Generally Held in the Morning

Courts of Justice: Have Authority from God

Courts of Justice: Inferior Court in all Cities

Courts of Justice: Inferior Court: All Minor Cases Decided By

Courts of Justice: Inferior Court: All Transfers of Property Made Before

Courts of Justice: Inferior Court: Held at the Gates

Courts of Justice: Inferior Court: Judges of, Appointed by the Governor

Courts of Justice: Judges of Called Elders

Courts of Justice: Judges of Called Magistrates

Courts of Justice: Judges of Conferred Together Before Giving Judgment

Courts of Justice: Judges of Examined the Parties

Courts of Justice: Judges of not to Take Bribes

Courts of Justice: Judges of Pronounced the Judgment of the Court

Courts of Justice: Judges of Rode often on White Asses

Courts of Justice: Judges of Sat on the Judgment-Seat While Hearing Causes

Courts of Justice: Judges of To Decide According to the Law

Courts of Justice: Judges of To Investigate Every Case

Courts of Justice: Judges of To Judge As for God

Courts of Justice: Judges of To Judge Righteously

Courts of Justice: Judges of To Judge Without Respect of Persons

Courts of Justice: Judges of To Promote Peace

Courts of Justice: Probably Derived from the Seventy Elders Appointed by Moses

Courts of Justice: Provided With: Judges

Courts of Justice: Provided With: Officers

Courts of Justice: Provided With: Tormentors or Executioners

Courts of Justice: Re-Established by Ezra

Courts of Justice: Re-Established by Jehoshaphat

Courts of Justice: Sanhedrim or Court of the Seventy: Consisted of Chief Priest

Courts of Justice: Sanhedrim or Court of the Seventy: Mentioned in the Latter Part of Sacred History

Courts of Justice: Sanhedrim or Court of the Seventy: Presided Over by High Priest

Courts of Justice: Sanhedrim or Court of the Seventy: Sat in High Priest's Palace

Courts of Justice: Sometimes Held in Synagogues

Courts of Justice: Superior Court: Consisted Subsequently of Priests and Levites

Courts of Justice: Superior Court: Decided on all Appeals and Difficult Cases

Courts of Justice: Superior Court: Decisions of, Conclusive

Courts of Justice: Superior Court: Held at the Seat of Government

Courts of Justice: Superior Court: Held First by Moses Alone in the Wilderness

Courts of Justice: Superior Court: Presided Over by the Governor or the High Priest

Courts of Justice: The Accused: Examined on Oath

Courts of Justice: The Accused: Exhorted to Confess

Courts of Justice: The Accused: Might Have Advocates

Courts of Justice: The Accused: Permitted to Plead Their own Cause

Courts of Justice: The Accused: Sometimes Examined by Torture

Courts of Justice: The Accused: Sometimes Treated With Insult

Courts of Justice: The Accused: Stood Before the Judge

Courts of Justice: The Accused: The Evidence of Two or More Witnesses Required In

Courts of Justice: The Accused: Witnesses Sometimes Laid Their Hands on the Criminal's Head

Courts of Justice: The Judgment of Allusions To

Courts of Justice: The Judgment of Illustrative of the Last Judgment

Courts of Justice: The Judgment of Immediately Executed

Courts of Justice: The Judgment of not Given Till Accused Was Heard

Courts of Justice: The Judgment of Recorded in Writing

Courts of Justice: The Judgment of Witnesses First to Execute

Courtship: Ancient Customs of Women Proposed Marriage

Related Terms

Courtyards (4 Occurrences)

Middle (169 Occurrences)

Partition (4 Occurrences)

Wall (227 Occurrences)

Sanctuary (250 Occurrences)

Judge (297 Occurrences)

Judicial (2 Occurrences)

Court (172 Occurrences)

Jehoshaphat (79 Occurrences)

Altars (55 Occurrences)

Roof (55 Occurrences)

Justice (212 Occurrences)

Gorgeously (3 Occurrences)

Gate (248 Occurrences)

Water-gate (5 Occurrences)

Roofs (13 Occurrences)

Butler (9 Occurrences)

Eunuch (20 Occurrences)

Doorkeeper (8 Occurrences)

Booths (24 Occurrences)

Tobiah (14 Occurrences)

Lawyer (5 Occurrences)

Street (54 Occurrences)

Chambers (68 Occurrences)

Judgment (430 Occurrences)

Oppress (57 Occurrences)

Broad (113 Occurrences)

Buildeth (73 Occurrences)

Tabernacle (333 Occurrences)

Discomfiture (6 Occurrences)

Chamber (73 Occurrences)

Temple (614 Occurrences)

Yearneth (2 Occurrences)

Yearned (5 Occurrences)

Yah (40 Occurrences)

Yearns (8 Occurrences)

Vest (11 Occurrences)

Nineveh (23 Occurrences)

Uppermost (11 Occurrences)

Orator (3 Occurrences)

Ortion

Organ (6 Occurrences)

Jah (44 Occurrences)

Jesse (45 Occurrences)

Latin (2 Occurrences)

Longeth (9 Occurrences)

Longs (11 Occurrences)

Luxuriously (6 Occurrences)

Longed (24 Occurrences)

Garner (4 Occurrences)

Grind (12 Occurrences)

Gorgeous (1 Occurrence)

Garments (232 Occurrences)

Garnered (1 Occurrence)

Indulge (12 Occurrences)

Inhabiteth (6 Occurrences)

Inclosed (12 Occurrences)

Frogs (14 Occurrences)

Faints (8 Occurrences)

Fainteth (11 Occurrences)

Forest (67 Occurrences)

Trophimus (3 Occurrences)

Trampling (8 Occurrences)

Tobijah (17 Occurrences)

Tomb (70 Occurrences)

Trample (34 Occurrences)

Thankful (15 Occurrences)

Tertullus (2 Occurrences)

Taxing (3 Occurrences)

Temporal (4 Occurrences)

Tax (43 Occurrences)

Tobi'ah (15 Occurrences)

Rachel's (5 Occurrences)

Rubble (17 Occurrences)

Rule (291 Occurrences)

Raddai (1 Occurrence)

Removeth (27 Occurrences)

Raiment (75 Occurrences)

Courts of Justice: The Accused: Permitted to Plead Their own Cause
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