What does the Bible say about judging others — In Biblical Context
Jesus said 'Judge not, that ye be not judged' — warning against hypocritical condemnation — while also teaching believers to exercise discernment and hold each other accountable in love.
Jesus said 'Judge not, that ye be not judged' — warning against hypocritical condemnation — while also teaching believers to exercise discernment and hold each other accountable in love.
"Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." — Matthew 7:1-2 (KJV)
The Biblical Context
Jesus' command 'Judge not' in Matthew 7:1 is one of the most quoted but often misunderstood verses. In context, Jesus was condemning hypocritical judgment — seeing a speck in another's eye while ignoring the plank in your own. He wasn't prohibiting all moral discernment; in fact, He told His followers to evaluate fruit (Matthew 7:16-20) and to confront sin in fellow believers (Matthew 18:15-17). Paul instructed the church to judge those within the fellowship while leaving outsiders to God. The biblical balance is clear: avoid self-righteous condemnation, but exercise loving, humble discernment within the community of faith.
Where It Sits in Scripture
The core passage for this question, Matthew 7:1-2, sits inside Matthew 7. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.
"Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again."
Supporting Passages
"Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye."
"Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment."
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