16 If an unrighteous witness rise up against any man to testify against him of an offence; 17 then both the men between whom the controversy is shall stand before Jehovah, before the priests and the judges that shall be in those days; 18 and the judges shall make thorough inquiry; and if the witness be a false witness, and he have testified falsely against his brother, 19 then shall ye do unto him as he had thought to have done unto his brother; and thou shalt put evil away from thy midst. 20 And those that remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil in thy midst. 21 And thine eye shall not spare: 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.