16 If a hostile witness stands to accuse someone of a wrong, 17 then both parties involved in the quarrel must stand in the Presence of God before the priests and judges who are in office at that time. 18 The judges must conduct a careful investigation; if the witness turns out to be a false witness and has lied against his fellow Israelite, 19 give him the same medicine he intended for the other party. Clean the polluting evil from your company. 20 People will hear of what you've done and be impressed; that will put a stop to this kind of evil among you. 21 Don't feel sorry for the person: It's life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Deuteronomy 19:16-21
Commentary on Deuteronomy 19:15-21
(Read Deuteronomy 19:15-21)
Sentence should never be passed upon the testimony of one witness alone. A false witness should suffer the same punishment which he sought to have inflicted upon the person he accused. Nor could any law be more just. Let all Christians not only be cautious in bearing witness in public, but be careful not to join in private slanders; and let all whose consciences accuse them of crime, without delay flee for refuge to the hope set before them in Jesus Christ.