Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, the administration of justice was a matter of great importance, reflecting the character and laws of God. The principle that judgment should not be rendered until the accused has been heard is deeply rooted in the Scriptures, emphasizing fairness, due process, and the pursuit of truth.Old Testament Foundations The Mosaic Law laid the groundwork for judicial procedures among the Israelites. Deuteronomy 1:16-17 instructs judges to "hear the disputes between your brothers and judge fairly between a man and his brother or a foreign resident." This command underscores the necessity of hearing all parties involved before making a judgment. The law required that evidence be thoroughly examined and that witnesses be heard, as seen in Deuteronomy 19:15 : "A lone witness is not sufficient to convict a man of any crime or offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses." The account of Naboth's vineyard in 1 Kings 21 illustrates the violation of this principle. King Ahab and Queen Jezebel orchestrated a false trial where Naboth was condemned without a fair hearing, highlighting the corruption and injustice that can occur when due process is ignored. New Testament Affirmation The New Testament continues to affirm the importance of hearing the accused before passing judgment. In John 7:51 , Nicodemus, a member of the Sanhedrin, questions his peers, saying, "Does our law convict a man without first hearing from him to determine what he has done?" This rhetorical question points to the established legal principle that a person should not be judged without a fair hearing. The trial of Jesus before the Sanhedrin further illustrates the miscarriage of justice when this principle is not upheld. Jesus was arrested and tried in a manner that violated Jewish legal procedures, including the lack of a proper hearing and the use of false witnesses (Mark 14:55-59). Apostolic Practice The Apostle Paul, in his legal defenses recorded in the Book of Acts, consistently appealed to the principle of being heard before judgment. In Acts 25:16 , during his trial before Festus, Paul recounts the Roman legal standard: "I told them that it is not the custom of the Romans to hand a man over before he has had an opportunity to face his accusers and defend himself against their charges." This appeal to Roman law aligns with the biblical principle of justice and due process. Theological Implications The biblical mandate to hear the accused before rendering judgment reflects the character of God as just and righteous. It serves as a model for human justice systems, emphasizing the need for fairness, impartiality, and the protection of the innocent. This principle is a safeguard against false accusations and wrongful convictions, ensuring that truth and justice prevail. In summary, the biblical principle that judgment should not be given until the accused has been heard is a foundational aspect of divine justice, deeply embedded in both the Old and New Testaments. It calls for a judicial process that is fair, thorough, and reflective of God's righteousness. Torrey's Topical Textbook John 7:51Does our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he does? Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Its Meaning Acts xxiv. 22, 23 "It is Finished" The Morning of Good Friday. How the Bishop is to Treat the Innocent, the Guilty, and the ... Thursday Night - Before Annas and Caiaphas - Peter and Jesus. Conflicts of the Church with Public Wrongs. Paul a Prisoner Matt. v. 17 Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount Resources What can we learn from the woman caught in adultery? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the importance or value of a church building? | GotQuestions.org Why is Jesus called the stumbling stone in Matthew 21:43-44? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics 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 |
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