Faith & Culture
Jesus said not to judge.
Short answer
Jesus never said not to judge at all. In Matthew 7 he forbids hypocritical, self-righteous judging, and then tells us how to judge rightly: first take the log out of your own eye, then help your brother with the speck in his. And the person who says "You shouldn't judge" is making a judgment themselves.
In simple words: Jesus said don't be a hypocrite when you correct someone. Fix your own wrongs first, and then help others kindly.
Response
"Judge not" (Matthew 7:1) may be the best-known Bible verse in our culture, usually quoted to shut down any moral disagreement. But read in context, it doesn't say what people think it says.
Jesus continues: "First take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye" (Matthew 7:5). He doesn't tell us to ignore the speck. He tells us to deal honestly with our own sin first, so that we can help others. As Tim Barnett of Red Pen Logic puts it, "This text is not prohibiting all judging; it's prohibiting hypocritical and self-righteous judging."
The rest of the New Testament agrees. Just a few verses later, Jesus tells us to watch out for false prophets and recognize them by their fruit (Matthew 7:15-20), which requires judgment. Elsewhere he says, "Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly" (John 7:24). Paul tells Timothy to "correct, rebuke and encourage" (2 Timothy 4:2).
Notice, too, that "You shouldn't judge" is itself a judgment. It says that the other person is doing something wrong. As Barnett notes, the judgment sword cuts both ways.
What Jesus does forbid is real and important: pride, hypocrisy, condemning others while excusing ourselves, and pronouncing final judgment on a person's soul, which belongs to God alone. Christians should take that seriously, remembering that we are sinners saved by grace and no better than anyone else.
Key evidence
- Matthew 7:5 tells us how to judge rightly, not to never judge.
- Jesus commands discernment about false prophets in the same chapter (Matthew 7:15-20).
- John 7:24: "Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly."
- "You shouldn't judge" is itself a moral judgment.
- Jesus forbids hypocritical and self-righteous judging.
Bible passages
- Matthew 7:1-5 The plank and the speck.
- Matthew 7:15-20 Recognize false prophets by their fruit.
- John 7:24 "Judge correctly."
- 2 Timothy 4:2 Correct, rebuke, and encourage.
- Galatians 6:1 Restore others gently.
Quotes
“Jesus never said not to judge.”
Tim Barnett, Stand to Reason
“This text is not prohibiting all judging; it's prohibiting hypocritical and self-righteous judging.”
Tim Barnett, Stand to Reason
Discussion questions
- What is the difference between judging an action and condemning a person?
- Why is "You shouldn't judge" itself a judgment?
- What does it look like to take the plank out of your own eye first?