Bible verses about Courts of Justice

(From Torrey's Topical Textbook)

Have authority from God
Romans 13:1-5
SUPERIOR COURT
- Held first by Moses alone in the wilderness
  Exodus 18:13-20
- Consisted subsequently of priests and Levites
  Deuteronomy 17:9; Malachi 2:7
- Presided over by the governor or the high priest
  Deuteronomy 17:12; Judges 4:4,5
- Held at the seat of government
  Deuteronomy 17:8
- Decided on all appeals and difficult cases
  Exodus 18:26; Deuteronomy 1:17; 17:8,9
- Decisions of, conclusive
  Deuteronomy 17:10,11
INFERIOR COURT
- In all cities
  Deuteronomy 16:18; II Chronicles 19:5-7
- Held at the gates
  Genesis 34:20; Deuteronomy 16:18; 21:19; Job 5:4
- Judges of, appointed by the governor
  Exodus 18:21,25; Deuteronomy 1:9-15; II Samuel 15:3
- All minor cases decided by
  Exodus 18:26; II Samuel 15:4
- All transfers of property made before
  Genesis 23:17-20; Ruth 4:1,2
Re-established by Jehoshaphat
II Chronicles 19:5-10
Re-established by Ezra
Ezra 7:25
SANHEDRIM OR COURT OF THE SEVENTY
- Probably derived from the seventy elders appointed by Moses
  Exodus 24:9; Numbers 11:16,17,24-30
- Mentioned in the latter part of sacred history
  Luke 22:66; John 11:47; Acts 5:27
- Consisted of chief priest, &c
  Matthew 26:57,59
- Presided over by high priest
  Matthew 26:62-66
- Sat in high priest's palace
  Matthew 26:57,58
OF THE ROMANS IN JUDEA
- Presided over by the governor or deputy
  Matthew 27:2,11; Acts 18:12
- Place of, called the hall of judgment
  John 18:28,33; 19:9
- Never interfered in any dispute about minor matters or about religion
  Acts 18:14,15
- Could alone award death
  John 18:31
- Never examined their own citizens by torture
  Acts 22:25-29
- Appeals from, made to the emperor
  Acts 25:11; 26:32; 28:19
Generally held in the morning
Jeremiah 21:12; Matthew 27:1; Luke 22:66; Acts 5:21
Sometimes held in synagogues
Matthew 10:17; Acts 22:19; 26:11; James 2:2
PROVIDED WITH
- Judges
  Deuteronomy 16:18
- Officers
  Deuteronomy 16:18; Matthew 5:25
- Tormentors or executioners
  Matthew 18:34
JUDGES OF
- Called elders
  Deuteronomy 25:7; I Samuel 16:4
- Called magistrates
  Luke 12:58
- Rode often on white asses
  Judges 5:10
- To judge righteously
  Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 1:6
- To judge without respect of persons
  Exodus 23:3,6; Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 1:17; Proverbs 22:22
- To investigate every case
  Deuteronomy 19:18
- Not to take bribes
  Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 16:19
- To judge as for God
  II Chronicles 19:6,7,9
- To decide according to the law
  Ezekiel 44:24
- To promote peace
  Zechariah 8:16
- Sat on the judgment-seat while hearing causes
  Exodus 18:13; Judges 5:10; Isaiah 28:6; Matthew 27:19
- Examined the parties
  Acts 24:8
- Conferred together before giving judgment
  Acts 5:34-40; 25:12; 26:30,31
- Pronounced the judgment of the court
  Matthew 26:65,66; Luke 23:24; Acts 5:40
Both the accusers and accused required to appear before
Deuteronomy 25:1; Acts 25:16
CAUSES IN, WERE OPENED BY
- The complainant
  I Kings 3:17-21; Acts 16:19-21
- An advocate
  Acts 24:1
THE ACCUSED
- Stood before the judge
  Numbers 35:12; Matthew 27:11
- Permitted to plead their own cause
  I Kings 3:22; Acts 24:10; 26:1
- Might have advocates
  Proverbs 31:8,9; Isaiah 1:17
- Exhorted to confess
  Joshua 7:19
- Examined on oath
  Leviticus 5:1; Matthew 26:63
- Sometimes examined by torture
  Acts 22:24,29
- Sometimes treated with insult
  Matthew 26:67; John 18:22,23; Acts 23:2,3
- The evidence of two or more witnesses required in
  Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15; John 8:17; II Corinthians 13:1
- Witnesses sometimes laid their hands on the criminal's head before punishment
  Leviticus 24:14
False witnesses in to receive the punishment of the accused
Deuteronomy 19:19
Corruption and bribery often practised in
Isaiah 10:1; Amos 5:12; 8:6
THE JUDGMENT OF
- Not given till accused was heard
  John 7:51
- Recorded in writing
  Isaiah 10:1
- Immediately executed
  Deuteronomy 25:2; Joshua 7:25; Mark 15:15-20
- Witnesses first to execute
  Deuteronomy 17:7; Acts 7:58
- Allusions to
  Job 5:4; Psalms 127:5; Matthew 5:22
- Illustrative of the last judgment
  Matthew 19:28; Romans 14:10; I Corinthians 6:2

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