What Did Jesus Mean By "Judge Not, That You Be Not Judged?"
Does Jesus forbid all judging?
Matthew 7:1 includes some of Jesus’ most famous words.
People often run to this passage as some kind of religious protection of their lifestyle choices. Are they right?
Does “Judge not, that you be not judged” mean Jesus’ followers are to refrain from all judging?
The Context of Matthew 7:1
Matthew 5-7 is the Lord’s famous “Sermon on the Mount.” Jesus spends a lot of time talking about sins like anger and lust. He reminds His listeners that what goes on in their minds is just as important as the actions they take.
Jesus also reminds His listeners not to be hypocrites in their actions of service to God - like giving, prayer, and fasting. The hypocrites did these things to be seen by other people. Jesus tells His followers to not worry about their good deeds being seen by humanity - God sees them, and that’s what matters.
He then tells His audience to set their minds on what truly matters - the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
It is at this point that Jesus arrives at His famous statement about judging.
What Does Matthew 7:1 Mean?
If we read the handful of verses that follow Matthew 7:1, we will find Jesus’ explanation of what He means.
Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, “Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. (Matthew 7:1-5)
The question has to do with the standard of judgment we use. Jesus showed the hypocrisy of using a stringent standard of judgment on everyone else while practically ignoring ourselves.
Jesus likely had in mind the hypocritical behavior of the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 5:20). Later on, in Matthew, Jesus pronounces “Woe” upon them because of their hypocrisy.
“The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. (Matthew 23:2-4)
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel! (Matthew 23:23-24)
In Matthew 7:1, Jesus is calling attention to the hypocrisy of applying one standard of judgment to others and a different standard to ourselves. He warns us not to follow the path of the scribes and Pharisees.
There is a standard of judgment that all should use.
He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. (John 12:48)
The word spoken by Jesus Christ will judge us. The question is: Will we follow the standard by which we will be judged or not?
As Christians, we must hold ourselves to this standard and gently help others. We must seek to remove sin from our own life. When we help someone with sin in their life, we must do so in a gentle way - treating them as we would want to be treated.
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. (Galatians 6:1)