All things bear record · Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy 19

2 witnesses of Christ here.

City of refuge

Thou shalt separate three cities for thee in the midst of thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it. Deuteronomy 19:2–6

A man pursued by the avenger of blood could run along a prepared road into a city of refuge and live. Christ is our refuge in the same way: those who flee to Him are sheltered from the demands of justice by His mercy.

VerifiedProphecy or typetype_placea messenger speaking for Him

How we know: a traditional type, cited · a footnote points to Him

  • a parallel account in Numbers 35:11-12 — The same law given in Numbers: 'cities of refuge ... that the manslayer die not.'
  • alluded to by Hebrews 6:18-20 — 'who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us' — the hope anchored in 'the forerunner ... even Jesus.'

Law of two or three witnesses

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. Deuteronomy 19:15–16

This is the rule Jesus cited for His own testimony — 'the testimony of two men is true' — and the rule His accusers broke when they hunted for two witnesses who would agree against Him. The law that was meant to protect the innocent was turned against the innocent One.

VerifiedEchoAn echo of Hima messenger speaking for Him

How we know: a footnote points to Him · another scripture interprets it of Him

  • alluded to by Matthew 26:60 — 'though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses' — the council trying to satisfy this law at Jesus' trial (footnote note15_a).
  • alluded to by John 8:17-18 — Jesus: 'the testimony of two men is true,' naming Himself and the Father as the two witnesses.