13: You Shall Not Bear False Witness – Truth in a Political Trial Culture

The Ten Commandments and the Teachings of Jesus: A Theological, Cultural, and Political Exposition

1. Introduction

The ninth commandment safeguards the integrity of speech and justice by forbidding false testimony, especially in legal contexts. At its heart, it is a call to protect truth, trust, and neighbourly dignity. In Scripture, lying is more than a social failing; it is a direct assault on God’s character, who is Himself the God of truth (Isa. 65:16). Jesus deepens this command by identifying the spiritual roots of deception and calling His followers to unflinching honesty. This entry examines the theological, legal, and cultural dimensions of the ninth commandment and its fulfilment in Christ.

2. Text and Translation

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.”
— Exodus 20:16, cf. Deuteronomy 5:20

Hebrew: לֹא־תַעֲנֶה בְרֵעֲךָ עֵד שָׁקֶר
Lō’-ta‘ăneh bĕre‘ăkā ‘ēd šāqer – “You shall not answer as a false witness against your neighbour”

The commandment was primarily directed at legal testimony, but by extension prohibits all forms of dishonesty, slander, and deception.

3. Historical and Cultural Background

In ancient Israel, court cases relied heavily on witness testimony. There was no forensic evidence or police investigations as in modern systems. A false witness could:

  • Condemn the innocent (cf. 1 Kgs. 21:13 – Naboth’s vineyard)
  • Pervert justice for bribes (Exod. 23:8)
  • Destabilise community trust

To prevent abuse:

  • Two or three witnesses were required for conviction (Deut. 19:15)
  • False witnesses received the punishment they intended for the accused (Deut. 19:16–19)

Speech was life-and-death serious, carrying judicial and moral weight.

4. Theological Significance

Truth is fundamental to God’s nature:

  • God cannot lie (Num. 23:19; Titus 1:2)
  • His Word is truth (Ps. 119:160; John 17:17)

Falsehood, by contrast, is the hallmark of Satan:

“He was a murderer from the beginning… for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
— John 8:44

To bear false witness is therefore to align with evil’s agenda, distorting reality and undermining justice. The ninth commandment also protects the dignity of others, for slander can destroy reputations, relationships, and lives.

5. Jesus’ Teaching: Radical Truthfulness

Jesus intensifies the ninth commandment by calling for absolute honesty in all speech, not just courtrooms.

a. No Manipulative Oaths

“Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one.”
— Matthew 5:37

In a culture where oaths were used to obscure rather than clarify truth, Jesus requires plain, reliable speech.

b. Satan as Father of Lies

Jesus exposes lying as participating in Satan’s nature (John 8:44). This spiritual dimension means that false witness is not a minor failing, but a grave sin.

c. Bearing True Witness

Jesus declares Himself the faithful and true witness (Rev. 3:14). His disciples are called to reflect this integrity, even at personal cost.

6. Political and Legal Implications in Jesus’ Day

False witness played a critical role in Jesus’ own condemnation:

“Many gave false testimony against Him… But their testimony did not agree.”
— Mark 14:56

Religious leaders orchestrated false witnesses to secure His execution (Matt. 26:59–61). This illustrates how false testimony can be a tool of oppressive systems, enabling political violence and injustice.

Early Christians also faced slander (1 Pet. 2:12; Acts 6:13), revealing how truth-telling is countercultural in corrupt societies.

7. Contemporary Application

The ninth commandment challenges modern forms of dishonesty:

  • Perjury and false accusations in courts
  • Slander and gossip in communities and churches
  • Media disinformation and fake news
  • Exaggeration or distortion for personal gain
  • Academic and professional dishonesty (plagiarism, falsified data)

Christians are called to be truth-bearers in every context, resisting a culture of spin and deception.

“Speak the truth in love.”
— Ephesians 4:15

This means combining accuracy with grace, using speech to edify, not destroy (Eph. 4:29).

8. Conclusion

The ninth commandment upholds truth as a moral absolute. False witness corrodes justice, dishonours God, and aligns with the enemy of souls. Jesus calls His followers to a deeper integrity—truthfulness that flows from transformed hearts and reflects the character of God Himself. Obedience to this command builds communities of trust and bears prophetic witness in a world where lies abound.

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