What does the Bible say about witnesses?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that faithful witnesses are essential for truth, justice, discipline, and the church’s public testimony to Christ. Deuteronomy 19:15-21 requires reliable testimony and guards against false accusation, showing God’s concern for righteous judgment. Matthew 18:15-17 calls believers to address sin carefully, involving witnesses and the church when necessary, with the aim of repentance and restoration. Hebrews 12:1 encourages Christians by the example of a great cloud of witnesses who have endured by faith. John 13:35 teaches that the church’s love for one another is a visible witness that its members belong to Jesus.
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Deuteronomy 19:15-21
[15] One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sins: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall a matter be established. [16] If an unrighteous witness rise up against any man to testify against him of wrong-doing, [17] then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before Yahweh, before the priests and the judges who shall be in those days; [18] and the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness is a false witness, and has testified falsely against his brother; [19] then shall you do to him, as he had thought to do to his brother: so shall you put away the evil from the midst of you. [20] Those who remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil in the midst of you. [21] Your eyes shall not pity; life [shall go] for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
- Matthew 18:15-17
[15] "If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother. [16] But if he doesn't listen, take one or two more with you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. [17] If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly. If he refuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax collector.
- Hebrews 12:1
Therefore let us also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
- John 13:35
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
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