Trial

A process of testing or investigation, which may be legal, as in a court case, or spiritual, as in a testing of faith or power. Scripture makes reference to both.

Legal trials

The need for legal trials

Deuteronomy 16:18–20; John 7:50–51; Acts 16:37–39

Trials concerning accidental killings

Joshua 20:9 See also Numbers 35:9–12; Joshua 20:1–6

These are the cities appointed for all the Israelites and foreigners among them, so that anyone who kills a person unintentionally may flee there and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood prior to standing trial before the assembly.

Unjust trials

Mark 13:9–13 parallels Matthew 24:9–11, Luke 21:12 See also 1 Kings 21:1–14; Psalm 37:32–33; Acts 12:1–4, Acts 16:37

So be on your guard. You will be delivered over to the councils and beaten in the synagogues. On My account you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all the nations. But when they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand what to say. Instead, speak whatever you are given at that time, for it will not be you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by everyone because of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.

The trial of Jesus Christ

Matthew 26:57–68 parallels Mark 14:53–65, John 18:19–24 See also Matthew 27:11–26 parallels Mark 15:2–15, Luke 23:2–25, John 18:28–19:16

The trial of Paul

Acts 27:23–24 See also Acts 22:30–23:11, Acts 24:1–23, Acts 25:1–12, Acts 25:23–26:32

For just last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And look, God has granted you the lives of all who sail with you.’

Trials of faith

Through testing or temptation

James 1:2–3 See also Genesis 22:1; Luke 22:28; 2 Corinthians 8:1–2; 1 Thessalonians 3:2–4; 2 Thessalonians 1:4; James 1:12; 1 Peter 1:6, 1 Peter 4:12–16; 2 Peter 2:4–9; Revelation 3:10

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

Through burdensome responsibilities

Galatians 4:14

And although my illness was a trial to you, you did not despise or reject me. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus Himself.

Trials of strength or power

Deuteronomy 7:19 See also Exodus 7:8–24; Deuteronomy 29:2–3; 1 Kings 18:16–40

the great trials that you saw, the signs and wonders, and the mighty hand and outstretched arm by which the LORD your God brought you out. The LORD your God will do the same to all the peoples you now fear.