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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 7:1 "Do not judge, or you will be judged.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/7-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/40_Mat_07_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 7:1 - Do Not Judge" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Do not judge, or you will be judged." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script 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frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/6-34.htm" title="Matthew 6:34">◄</a> Matthew 7:1 <a href="/matthew/7-2.htm" title="Matthew 7:2">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/matthew/7.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/matthew/7.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220Do not judge, or you too will be judged.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/matthew/7.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/matthew/7.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“Judge not, that you be not judged.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/matthew/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Do not judge, or you will be judged.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Do not judge, lest you should be judged.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/7.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Judge not, that ye be not judged.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/7.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Judge not, that you be not judged.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Do not judge, so that you will not be judged.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/7.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Do not judge so that you will not be judged.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Do not judge lest you be judged.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“Do not judge, so that you will not be judged.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Do not judge <i>and</i> criticize <i>and</i> condemn [others unfairly with an attitude of self-righteous superiority as though assuming the office of a judge], so that you will not be judged [unfairly].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Do not judge, so that you won’t be judged.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />&#8220Do not judge, so that you won&#8217t be judged.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/7.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Judge not, that ye be not judged.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Don't condemn others, and God won't condemn you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/7.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Judge not, that ye be not judged.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Stop judging so that you will not be judged.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/7.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"Do not judge others, so that God will not judge you, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/7.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Stop judging, so that you won't be judged, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Do not judge, or you will be judged.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/7.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"Do not judge so that you will not be judged.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Do not judge, so that you won't be judged.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Judge not, that ye be not judged.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"Judge not, that you may not be judged;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/7.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />“Do not judge, that you may not be judged,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Do not judge, lest you should be judged.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'Judge not, that ye may not be judged,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Judge not, that ye be not judged.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />JUDGE not, that you may not be judged, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />“Do not judge, so that you may not be judged.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/7.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />“Stop judging, that you may not be judged.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />“Do not judge, so that you may not be judged.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />JUDGE not, that you may not be judged.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/7.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />You shall not judge, lest you be judged.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/7.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />Judge not, that you may not be judged:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/7.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>Criticise not, that you may not be criticised.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/7.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />JUDGE not, that ye be not judged.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/7.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />Judge not, that ye be not judged.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"Judge not, that you may not be judged;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/7.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>"Judge not, that ye be not judged;<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/7.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>Judge not, that ye be not judged:<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/7-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=1522" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/matthew/7.htm">Do Not Judge</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">1</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: Mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.">“Do not</a> <a href="/greek/2919.htm" title="2919: krinete (V-PMA-2P) -- Properly, to distinguish, i.e. Decide; by implication, to try, condemn, punish.">judge,</a> <a href="/greek/2443.htm" title="2443: hina (Conj) -- In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.">or</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether."></a> <a href="/greek/2919.htm" title="2919: krithēte (V-ASP-2P) -- Properly, to distinguish, i.e. Decide; by implication, to try, condemn, punish.">you will be judged.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">2</span>For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-37.htm">Luke 6:37</a></span><br />Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/2-1.htm">Romans 2:1</a></span><br />You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on another. For on whatever grounds you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-11.htm">James 4:11-12</a></span><br />Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. And if you judge the law, you are not a practitioner of the law, but a judge of it. / There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/14-10.htm">Romans 14:10-13</a></span><br />Why, then, do you judge your brother? Or why do you belittle your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. / It is written: “As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow before Me; every tongue will confess to God.” / So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/4-5.htm">1 Corinthians 4:5</a></span><br />Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-13.htm">James 2:13</a></span><br />For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/6-1.htm">Galatians 6:1</a></span><br />Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-7.htm">John 8:7</a></span><br />When they continued to question Him, He straightened up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone at her.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/11-31.htm">1 Corinthians 11:31</a></span><br />Now if we judged ourselves properly, we would not come under judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/4-8.htm">1 Peter 4:8</a></span><br />Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/21-2.htm">Proverbs 21:2</a></span><br />All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/11-17.htm">Proverbs 11:17</a></span><br />A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/11-31.htm">Proverbs 11:31</a></span><br />If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/21-13.htm">Proverbs 21:13</a></span><br />Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/24-12.htm">Proverbs 24:12</a></span><br />If you say, “Behold, we did not know about this,” does not He who weighs hearts consider it? Does not the One who guards your life know? Will He not repay a man according to his deeds?</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Judge not, that you be not judged.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/66-5.htm">Isaiah 66:5</a></b></br> Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/16-52.htm">Ezekiel 16:52-56</a></b></br> Thou also, which hast judged thy sisters, bear thine own shame for thy sins that thou hast committed more abominable than they: they are more righteous than thou: yea, be thou confounded also, and bear thy shame, in that thou hast justified thy sisters… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/6-37.htm">Luke 6:37</a></b></br> Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/5-25.htm">Judge</a> <a href="/matthew/5-21.htm">Judged</a> <a href="/zephaniah/3-3.htm">Judges</a> <a href="/matthew/6-15.htm">Others</a> <a href="/matthew/6-30.htm">Won't</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/7-2.htm">Judge</a> <a href="/matthew/7-2.htm">Judged</a> <a href="/matthew/12-27.htm">Judges</a> <a href="/matthew/7-2.htm">Others</a> <a href="/matthew/12-11.htm">Won't</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 7</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/7-1.htm">Do Not Judge</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/7-7.htm">Ask, Seek, Knock</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/7-13.htm">Enter through the Narrow Gate</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/7-15.htm">A Tree and Its Fruit</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/7-24.htm">The Wise and the Foolish Builders</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/7-28.htm">Jesus ends his sermon, and the people are astonished.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/7.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/7.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Do not judge</b><br>This phrase is a directive from Jesus during His Sermon on the Mount, a key teaching moment in His ministry. The Greek word for "judge" here is "krinō," which can mean to separate, distinguish, or decide. In this context, it refers to making a critical or condemning judgment about others. Jesus is addressing the tendency of people to judge others harshly or hypocritically. This teaching aligns with the broader biblical principle of humility and self-awareness, as seen in passages like <a href="/romans/2.htm">Romans 2:1</a>, where Paul warns against judging others while doing the same things. The cultural context of the time included a strong emphasis on religious law and moral behavior, often leading to judgmental attitudes among religious leaders. Jesus challenges His followers to adopt a posture of grace and mercy, reflecting God's character.<p><b>or you will be judged.</b><br>This phrase serves as a warning and a principle of reciprocity. The measure we use to judge others will be the measure used against us, as further explained in <a href="/matthew/7-2.htm">Matthew 7:2</a>. This reflects the biblical theme of sowing and reaping, found in <a href="/galatians/6-7.htm">Galatians 6:7</a>. The idea is that God's judgment will be fair and just, taking into account how we have treated others. This teaching encourages self-examination and humility, urging believers to focus on their own spiritual growth rather than condemning others. It also connects to the broader biblical narrative of God's justice and mercy, as seen in <a href="/james/2-13.htm">James 2:13</a>, which states that mercy triumphs over judgment. Jesus, as the ultimate judge, exemplifies perfect justice and mercy, calling His followers to emulate His example.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>The speaker of this verse, delivering the Sermon on the Mount, a foundational teaching moment in His ministry.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/d/disciples_and_followers.htm">Disciples and Followers</a></b><br>The immediate audience of Jesus' teachings, representing those who seek to live according to His teachings.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_sermon_on_the_mount.htm">The Sermon on the Mount</a></b><br>A significant event where Jesus delivers key teachings on the Kingdom of Heaven, ethics, and righteous living.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_judgment.htm">Understanding Judgment</a></b><br>The Greek word for "judge" (krin?) implies a critical or condemning judgment. Jesus warns against this type of judgment, which is often hypocritical and self-righteous.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/self-reflection.htm">Self-Reflection</a></b><br>Before judging others, examine your own life and actions. Jesus calls for humility and self-awareness, recognizing our own faults before pointing out those of others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_measure_you_use.htm">The Measure You Use</a></b><br>The principle of reciprocity is at play; the standard you apply to others will be applied to you. This encourages fairness and compassion in our assessments of others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/role_of_mercy.htm">Role of Mercy</a></b><br>Emphasize mercy over judgment. As recipients of God's grace, we are called to extend grace to others, reflecting God's character.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_accountability.htm">Community and Accountability</a></b><br>While avoiding judgmental attitudes, Christians are still called to hold each other accountable in love, seeking restoration rather than condemnation.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_7.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 7</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_'do_not_judge'_fit_righteous_judgment.htm">How does "Do not judge" align with righteous judgment?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_'judge_not'_align_with_discernment.htm">In Matthew 7:1, how can “judge not” be reconciled with biblical commands to discern between good and evil? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_it_right_to_judge_others.htm">Is it right to judge others?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_a_critical_spirit.htm">What defines a critical spirit?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/7.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>VII.</span><p>(1) The plan and sequence of the discourse is, as has been said, less apparent in this last portion. Whether this be the result of omission or of insertion, thus much at least seems clear, that while Matthew 5 is mainly a protest against the teaching of the scribes, and Matthew 6 mainly a protest against their corruption of the three great elements of the religious life--almsgiving, prayer, and fasting--and the worldliness out of which that corruption grew, this deals chiefly with the temptations incident to the more advanced stages of that life when lower forms of evil have been overcome--with the temper that judges others, the self-deceit of unconscious hypocrisy, the danger of unreality.<p><span class= "bld">Judge not, that ye be not judged.</span>--The words point to a tendency inherent in human nature, and are therefore universally applicable; but they had, we must remember, a special bearing on the Jews. They, as really in the van of the religious progress of mankind, took on themselves to judge other nations. All true teachers of Israel, even though they represented different aspects of the truth, felt the danger, and warned their countrymen against it. St. Paul (<a href="/romans/2-3.htm" title="And think you this, O man, that judge them which do such things, and do the same, that you shall escape the judgment of God?">Romans 2:3</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/4-5.htm" title="Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.">1Corinthians 4:5</a>) and St. James (<a href="/james/4-11.htm" title="Speak not evil one of another, brothers. He that speaks evil of his brother, and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law, and judges the law: but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge.">James 4:11</a>) alike, in this matter, echo the teaching of their Master. And the temptation still continues. In proportion as any nation, any church, any society, any individual man rises above the common forms of evil that surround them, they are disposed to sit in judgment on those who are still in the evil.<p>The question, how far we can obey the precept, is not without its difficulties. Must we not, even as a matter of duty, be judging others every day of our lives? The juryman giving his verdict, the master who discharges a dishonest servant, the bishop who puts in force the discipline of the Church--are these acting against our Lord's commands? And if not, where are we to draw the line? The answer to these questions is not found in the distinctions of a formal casuistry. We have rather to remember that our Lord here, as elsewhere, gives principles rather than rules, and embodies the principle in a rule which, because it cannot be kept in the letter, forces us back upon the spirit. What is forbidden is the censorious judging temper, eager to find faults and condemn men for them, suspicious of motives, detecting, let us say, for example, in controversy, and denouncing, the faintest shade of heresy. No mere rules can guide us as to the limits of our judgments. What we need is to have "our senses exercised to discern between good and evil," to cultivate the sensitiveness of conscience and the clearness of self-knowledge. Briefly, we may say:--(1.) Judge no man unless it be a duty to do so. (2.) As far as may be, judge the offence, and not the offender. (3.) Confine your judgment to the earthly side of faults, and leave their relation to God, to Him who sees the heart. (4.) Never judge at all without remembering your own sinfulness, and the ignorance and infirmities which may extenuate the sinfulness of others.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 1-12.</span> - <p><span class="note_emph">(2)</span> As anxiety about the things of this life hinders us Godwards (ch. 6:19-34), so does censoriousness manwards (vers. 1-12), our Lord thus tacitly opposing two typically Jewish faults. Censoriousness - the personal danger of having it (vers. 1, 2), its seriousness as a sign of ignorance and as a hindrance to spiritual vision (vers. 3-5), even though there must be a recognition of great moral differences (ver. 6). Grace to overcome it and to exercise judgment rightly can be obtained by prayer (vers. 7-11), the secret of overcoming being found in treating others as one would like to be treated one's self (ver. 12). <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 1.</span> - Parallel passage: <a href="/luke/6-37.htm">Luke 6:37</a>. <span class="cmt_word">Judge not</span>. Not merely "do not condemn," for this would leave too much latitude; nor, on the other hand, "do not ever judge," for this is sometimes our duty; but "do not be always judging" (<span class="greek">μὴ κρίνετε</span>). Our Lord opposes the censorious spirit. "Let us therefore be lowly minded, brethren, laying aside all arrogance, and conceit, and folly, and anger, and let us do that which is written... most of all remembering the words of the Lord Jesus which he spake, teaching forbearance and brag-suffering; for thus he spake... 'As ye judge, so shall ye be judged,'" Clem. Romans, § 13 (where see Bishop Lightfoot's note; el. also Resch, 'Agrapha,' pp. 96, 136 ft.); cf. 'Ab.,' 1:7 (Taylor), "Judge every man in the scale of merit;" <span class="accented">i.e.</span> let the scale incline towards the side of merit or acquittal. <span class="cmt_word">That ye be not judged</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> by God, with special reference to the last day (cf. <a href="/james/2-12.htm">James 2:12, 13</a>; <a href="/james/5-9.htm">James 5:9</a>; <a href="/romans/2-3.htm">Romans 2:3</a>). Hardly of judgment by men, as Barrow (serm. 20.): "Men take it for allowable to retaliate in this way to the height, and stoutly to load the censorious man with censure." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/7-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">[Do] not</span><br /><span class="grk">Μὴ</span> <span class="translit">(Mē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3361.htm">Strong's 3361: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">judge,</span><br /><span class="grk">κρίνετε</span> <span class="translit">(krinete)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2919.htm">Strong's 2919: </a> </span><span class="str2">Properly, to distinguish, i.e. Decide; by implication, to try, condemn, punish.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or</span><br /><span class="grk">ἵνα</span> <span class="translit">(hina)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2443.htm">Strong's 2443: </a> </span><span class="str2">In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you will be judged.</span><br /><span class="grk">κριθῆτε</span> <span class="translit">(krithēte)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2919.htm">Strong's 2919: </a> </span><span class="str2">Properly, to distinguish, i.e. Decide; by implication, to try, condemn, punish.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/7-1.htm">Matthew 7:1 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/7-1.htm">Matthew 7:1 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/7-1.htm">Matthew 7:1 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/7-1.htm">Matthew 7:1 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/7-1.htm">Matthew 7:1 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/7-1.htm">Matthew 7:1 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/7-1.htm">Matthew 7:1 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/7-1.htm">Matthew 7:1 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/7-1.htm">Matthew 7:1 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/7-1.htm">Matthew 7:1 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/7-1.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 7:1 Don't judge so that you won't be (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/6-34.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 6:34"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 6:34" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/7-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 7:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 7:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>