John 8:15
What does John 8:15 mean?
A plain-English look at John 8:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 8:15 means
Jesus tells them they judge “after the flesh”—by outward appearance, human standards, and self-interest. He adds, “I judge no man,” not to deny eventual judgment, but to mark His present mission: He did not come to condemn but to save. He refuses their fleshly courtroom. His evaluation is not driven by malice or external show. At this moment, He withholds judicial action and offers light and life. Their judgments are distorted by sin; His mission is shaped by mercy and truth. This contrast lays bare why they fail to recognize Him—they assess by earthly criteria what can only be known spiritually.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949You are judging from what you see; I am judging no man.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Ye according to the flesh do judge; I do not judge any one,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752You judge according to the flesh: I judge not any man.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Ye judge according to the flesh, I judge no one.
Context
Coming after Jesus’ claim about His truthful testimony, this verse exposes the Pharisees’ faulty mode of judgment. It prepares for the next statement, where Jesus will affirm that when He does judge, His judgment is true because He and the Father are one in purpose. The sequence clarifies that while Jesus’ mission is salvific, He is not indifferent to truth; when He renders judgment, it is perfectly aligned with the Father. This matters as the debate moves toward questions of witness, law, and knowing God.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- James 2:4
do ye not make distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
- John 8:11
And she said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said, Neither do I condemn thee: go thy way; from henceforth sin no more.]
- John 7:24
Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
- Amos 5:7
Ye who turn justice to wormwood, and cast down righteousness to the earth,
- John 18:36
Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
- 1 Samuel 16:7
But Jehovah said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have rejected him: for Jehovah seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but Jehovah looketh on the heart.
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