Thank you for the question on Leviticus 24:17, “When you read Leviticus 24:17, who comes to your mind immediately without a second thought?”
The person who thinks without a second thought is unwise. One must read the whole context and not one verse otherwise one would misinterpret the text.
Leviticus 24:17 says this, “17 “‘Anyone who takes the life of a human being is to be put to death.” That is a general principle that is sound. The Scriptures gives a person who kills someone a place of refuge until the trial is heard. A trial is heard to determines the innocence or guilt of a person. Witnesses are heard to provide evidence for the death whether it was an accidental death or an intentional murder of someone. The guilty party is condemned and faces the death penalty.
The Scripture is also wise in declaring that if the witnesses are discovered to have bear false witness causing the death of an innocent, the false witnesses are complicit in the death of an innocent person. Their punishment is death for they willfully caused the death of an innocent person. That is justice in my opinion.
SUMMARY: As a general principle if a person is found guilty of intentional murder of a person, the murderer should die.
-Kingston