Judging Others According to Jesus' Teaching in John 7
In John 7:24, Jesus instructs, "Stop judging by outward appearances, and start judging justly" [1]. This statement comes during the Feast of Tabernacles, where Jesus is teaching in the temple and facing opposition from the Jewish leaders who question his authority and origin [1]. The immediate context involves the crowd's reaction to Jesus' healing on the Sabbath, which had previously caused controversy [1].
Jesus' command to "judge justly" contrasts with the superficial judgment based on "outward appearances" [1]. This teaching aligns with a broader biblical theme found in other parts of the New Testament, such as Matthew 7:1-2, where Jesus warns, "For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you" [3]. Similarly, Luke 6:37 states, "Do not judge others, because then you yourselves shall not be judged; therefore condemn not" [11]. These passages emphasize the principle that the standard by which one judges others will be applied to oneself [12].
The concept of "judging" in this context does not prohibit all forms of discernment. John Gill, in his commentary on Matthew 7, clarifies that Jesus is not condemning judgment in civil courts or within the church for addressing offenders. Instead, he is speaking against "rash judgment," which involves interpreting others' words and deeds in the worst possible light [8]. Matthew Henry also notes that Jesus' words serve as a reproof to the scribes and Pharisees, who were known for their rigid and severe condemnation of others, often out of pride and self-conceit [10].
The "outward appearances" Jesus refers to can be understood as superficial criteria that do not reflect the true nature or intent of a person or situation [1]. For example, some might have judged Jesus based on his humble origins or his perceived violation of Sabbath laws, rather than considering the divine power and compassion behind his actions [1]. The Jewish leaders themselves, in John 7:51, implicitly acknowledge the principle of just judgment when Nicodemus asks, "Does our law judge a man, unless it first hears from him personally and knows what he does?" [2]. This suggests that even their own legal tradition required a thorough understanding of the facts before rendering a verdict.
The Protestant academic perspective on Luke 6:37 highlights that Jesus condemned "hypocritical judgment that denigrated another person." While God requires his people to warn others of sin, which is an act of love, judgment stemming from pride is condemned [6]. Similarly, on Matthew 7:1, Tyndale House notes that Jesus calls for people to stop "oppressively controlling others in the name of pastoral concern," especially when it involves "rigorous scrutiny of trivial matters" [7]. God alone holds the ultimate right to judge [7].
The broader biblical narrative consistently presents God as the ultimate judge [4]. Psalms 75:7 declares, "But God is the judge. He puts down one, and lifts up another" [4]. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is identified as the mediator to whom all judgment is committed [5]. Believers are also said to have a future role in judging the world and even angels, which implies a responsibility for discerning truth and righteousness [9]. However, this future role does not negate the present command against hypocritical or superficial judgment.
Therefore, Jesus' teaching in John 7:24 is a call for discernment that goes beyond surface-level observations, urging a judgment rooted in righteousness and a full understanding of the situation, rather than prejudiced or self-righteous condemnation [1, 6, 8]. This principle is a recurring theme in Jesus' ministry, emphasizing mercy and a careful consideration of others, while reserving ultimate judgment for God [7].
Sources
- John “John 7:24 (BSB) — Stop judging by outward appearances, and start judging justly.””
- John ““Does our law judge a man, unless it first hears from him personally and knows what he does?” -- John 7:51”
- Matthew “For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you. -- Matthew 7:2”
- Psalms “But God is the judge. He puts down one, and lifts up another. -- Psalms 75:7”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Judgment, The final — The sentence that will be passed on our actions at the last day (Matt. 25; Rom. 14:10, 11; 2 Cor. 5:10; 2 Thess. 1:7-10). The judge is Jesus Christ, as mediator. All judgment is committed to him (Acts 17:31; John 5:22, 27; Rev. 1:7). "It pertains to him as mediator to complete and publicly manifest the salvation of his people and the overthrow of his enemies, together with the glorious righteousness of his work in both respects." The persons to be judged are, (1) the whole race of Adam without a single exception (Matt. 25:31-46; 1 Cor. 15:51, 52”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 6:37: 6:37-42 Do not judge others: Jesus condemned hypocritical judgment that denigrated another person. Those who condemn others will be judged by that same standard. God requires his people to love others by warning them of the dangers of sin (Gal 6:1; Heb 3:13). Exhortation is an act of love; judgment is an act of pride.”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 7:1: 7:1 Mercy is a dominant theme in Jesus’ teaching and practice (9:9-13; 12:1-7), but not at the expense of clear opposition to sin (see 18:15-20; 23:13-33). At the same time, Jesus calls for people to stop oppressively controlling others in the name of pastoral concern. The judgment Jesus prohibits often involves rigorous scrutiny of trivial matters (see 23:23-24). God alone has the right to judge (see Jas 4:11-12). • you will not be judged: This might refer to God’s judgment at the end of history (see Matt 5:7). God measures us by our treatment of others (see 6:12”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 7 (introduction): Judge not, that ye be not judged. This is not to be understood of any sort of judgment; not of judgment in the civil courts of judicature, by proper magistrates, which ought to be made and pass, according to the nature of the case; nor of judgment in the churches of Christ, where offenders are to be called to an account, examined, tried, and dealt with according to the rules of the Gospel; nor of every private judgment, which one man may make upon another, without any detriment to him; but of rash judgment, interpreting men's words and deeds to the worst ”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 6:2: 6:2-3 Someday we believers will judge the world—and even angels—as associates of the Son of Man, who is the ultimate Judge of all people (cp. Dan 7:13, 22, 27; Matt 19:28; John 5:27; Acts 17:31; Rev 3:21; 20:4). In light of this responsibility, Christians should be able to settle their disagreements over comparatively little things.”
- Matthew (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Matthew 7:1: Our Saviour is here directing us how to conduct ourselves in reference to the faults of others; and his expressions seem intended as a reproof to the scribes and Pharisees, who were very rigid and severe, very magisterial and supercilious, in condemning all about them, as those commonly are, that are proud and conceited in justifying themselves. We have here, I. A caution against judging Mat 7:1, Mat 7:2. There are those whose office it is to judge - magistrates and ministers. Christ, though he made not himself a Judge, yet came not to unmake them, for by him prin”
- Luke (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Luke 6:37: All these sayings of Christ we had before in Matthew; some of them in ch. 7, others in other places. They were sayings that Christ often used; they needed only to be mentioned, it was easy to apply them. Grotius thinks that we need not be critical here in seeking for the coherence: they are golden sentences, like Solomon's proverbs or parables. Let us observe here, I. We ought to be very candid in our censures of others, because we need grains of allowance ourselves: "Therefore judge not others, because then you yourselves shall not be judged; therefore condemn not ”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 7:2: For with what judgments ye Judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete--whatever standard of judgment ye apply to others. it shall be measured to you again--This proverbial maxim is used by our Lord in other connections--as in Mar 4:24, and with a slightly different application in Luk 6:38 --as a great principle in the divine administration. Unkind judgment of others will be judicially returned upon ourselves, in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ. But, as in many other cases under the divine administration, ”