Witnesses, false

Scripture prohibits individuals from bearing false witness against their neighbours.

False testimony forbidden

Exodus 20:16 parallel Deuteronomy 5:20 See also Exodus 23:1–2; Leviticus 19:12; Proverbs 6:16–19, Proverbs 24:28; Luke 3:14; Matthew 15:19, Matthew 19:18 parallels Mark 10:19, Luke 18:20

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

The effect of false witnesses on other people and society

Proverbs 25:18 See also Psalm 27:12, Psalm 35:11; Proverbs 12:17, Proverbs 14:5, Proverbs 14:25, Proverbs 18:5, Proverbs 19:28

Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.

False witnesses will be punished

Deuteronomy 19:16–21 See also Leviticus 6:1–7; Proverbs 19:5, Proverbs 19:9, Proverbs 21:28; Isaiah 29:20–21; Zechariah 5:3–4

If a false witness testifies against someone, accusing him of a crime, both parties to the dispute must stand in the presence of the LORD, before the priests and judges who are in office at that time. The judges shall investigate thoroughly, and if the witness is proven to be a liar who has falsely accused his brother, you must do to him as he intended to do to his brother. So you must purge the evil from among you. Then the rest of the people will hear and be afraid, and they will never again do anything so evil among you. You must show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, and foot for foot.

Examples of false witnesses

1 Kings 21:8–13; Matthew 26:59–61 parallel Mark 14:55–59; Matthew 28:12–15; Acts 6:11–14