Deuteronomy 19:15

One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.

Cross-references

Deuteronomy 17:6 applies the two-witness rule specifically to capital punishment, reinforcing the same legal principle.

Numbers 35:30 applies the two-witness rule to murder cases, showing consistent application across laws.

1 Kings 21:10 shows false witnesses being set up, directly violating the requirement for truthful testimony.

1 Kings 21:13 records the execution based on those false witnesses, a tragic misapplication of the law.

Matthew 18:16 applies the two-witness principle to church discipline, extending it to resolving disputes.

In Matthew 26:60, false witnesses are brought against Jesus, ironically fulfilling the two-witness rule while violating its intent.

John 8:17 Citation

In John 8:17, Jesus cites this law to argue that his own testimony and the Father's make two witnesses, validating his claims.

In 2 Corinthians 13:1, Paul applies this legal principle to his apostolic visits, emphasizing that warnings are established by multiple witnesses.

In 1 Timothy 5:19, Paul applies this law to accusations against elders, requiring multiple witnesses for church discipline.

In Hebrews 10:28, the law's penalty—death without mercy on two or three witnesses—is recalled to highlight the old covenant's severity.

John 7:51 Allusion

In John 7:51, Nicodemus invokes the OT law requiring multiple witnesses — a direct application of the principle that no one should be condemned without proper testimony.

Exodus 20:16 Related theme

In Exodus 20:16, false witness is forbidden; together these verses protect truth in testimony—one forbidding lies, the other requiring multiple witnesses.