Devine Scripture

Luke 6:37

What does Luke 6:37 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 6:37 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 6:37 means

Jesus instructed, "Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; release, and you will be released." This teaching emphasizes the principle of divine reciprocity in judgment and forgiveness. It calls believers to refrain from harsh, critical, and condemnatory attitudes towards others, knowing that God will apply the same standard to them. The command to "release" (forgive) is crucial, promising that those who mercifully forgive others will themselves experience God's release from their own sins. This fosters a spirit of grace and understanding, aligning with God's merciful nature.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And judge not, and ye shall not be judged: and condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: release, and ye shall be released:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And judge not, and ye shall not be judged: and condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: release, and ye shall be released:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Be not judges of others, and you will not be judged: do not give punishment to others, and you will not get punishment yourselves: make others free, and you will be made free:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And judge not, and ye may not be judged; condemn not, and ye may not be condemned; release, and ye shall be released.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Judge not: and you shall not be judged. Condemn not: and you shall not be condemned. Forgive: and you shall be forgiven.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And judge not, and ye shall not be judged; condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned. Remit, and it shall be remitted to you.

Context

Following the general command to be merciful, this verse provides specific applications concerning judgment and condemnation. It outlines the spiritual consequences of one's approach to others' failings. This teaching lays the groundwork for understanding how an unforgiving heart hinders one's own relationship with God, and it directly precedes the promise of generous blessings for those who give generously.

v.36Be ye merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

v.37This passage

v.38give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, shall they give into your bosom. For with what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you again.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Corinthians 4:3

    But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.

  • Luke 17:3

    Take heed to yourselves: if thy brother sin, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

  • James 5:9

    Murmur not, brethren, one against another, that ye be not judged: behold, the judge standeth before the doors.

  • Matthew 5:7

    Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

  • Matthew 18:30

    And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay that which was due.

  • Romans 2:1

    Wherefore thou art without excuse, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest dost practise the same things.

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