Deuteronomy 19

15 See Numbers 35:30; Deuteronomy 17:2–7 and comments.

16–21 These verses deal with the case of a malicious witness (verse 16)—that is, a witness who has deliberately given false testimony in order to harm his brother Israelite (verse 18). Such behavior was strictly forbidden (see Exodus 20:16; 23:1). If the judge determined that a witness was indeed “malicious,” that witness was to receive the same punishment or harm that he was intending to inflict on his brother. This would deter the rest of the people from giving false and malicious testimony (verse 20). The principle of proportionate punishment is again seen in verse 21: just as the wrongdoer had tried to do to another, so it would be done to him—life for life,eye for eye. . . (see Exodus 21:22–25 and comment).

Show no pity (verse 21). This word is for the judge: when the crime is proven, then the appropriate punishment must be meted out. To show “pity” in such a case would be to subvert public justice. A sure way to increase crime in society is to fail to punish criminals.

However, in personal disputes, we are to show pity and mercy. We are to forgive; we are to “turn the other cheek” (Matthew 5:38–42). Jesus did not overturn the Old Testament law, but He was against the individual’s taking the law into his own hands. In regard to personal matters, Jesus laid down a different law: the law of love, of forgiveness, of non-resistance.