6 On the testimony of two or three witnesses a person is to be put to death, but no one is to be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.

Other Translations of Deuteronomy 17:6

King James Version

6 At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.

English Standard Version

6 On the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses the one who is to die shall be put to death; a person shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness.

The Message

6 But only on the testimony of two or three witnesses may a person be put to death. No one may be put to death on the testimony of one witness.

New King James Version

6 Whoever is deserving of death shall be put to death on the testimony of two or three witnesses; he shall not be put to death on the testimony of one witness.

New Living Translation

6 But never put a person to death on the testimony of only one witness. There must always be two or three witnesses.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Deuteronomy 17:6

Commentary on Deuteronomy 17:1-7

(Read Deuteronomy 17:1-7)

No creature which had any blemish was to be offered in sacrifice to God. We are thus called to remember the perfect, pure, and spotless sacrifice of Christ, and reminded to serve God with the best of our abilities, time, and possession, or our pretended obedience will be hateful to him. So great a punishment as death, so remarkable a death as stoning, must be inflicted on the Jewish idolater. Let all who in our day set up idols in their hearts, remember how God punished this crime in Israel.

The Law concerning Witnesses

15 One witness is not enough to convict anyone accused of any crime or offense they may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.

Other Translations of Deuteronomy 19:15

King James Version

The Law concerning Witnesses

15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.

English Standard Version

The Law concerning Witnesses

15 "A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established.

The Message

The Law concerning Witnesses

15 You cannot convict anyone of a crime or sin on the word of one witness. You need two or three witnesses to make a case.

New King James Version

The Law concerning Witnesses

15 "One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established.

New Living Translation

The Law concerning Witnesses

15 "You must not convict anyone of a crime on the testimony of only one witness. The facts of the case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Deuteronomy 19:15

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.