Devine Scripture

Matthew 7:1

What does Matthew 7:1 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 7:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 7:1 means

Jesus instructs His followers not to judge others with a critical, fault-finding spirit. This command is not a prohibition against all discernment or evaluation, but rather against a hypocritical and condemning attitude. The focus is on the *manner* of judgment—a harsh, self-righteous condemnation that ignores one's own faults. The principle here is that believers should extend grace and understanding, recognizing their own imperfections before pointing out those of others. This teaching encourages humility and compassion in how we view and speak about our fellow human beings.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Judge not, that ye be not judged.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Judge not, that ye be not judged.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Judge not, that ye be not judged.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Be not judges of others, and you will not be judged.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`Judge not, that ye may not be judged,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Judge not, that you may not be judged.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Judge not, that ye may not be judged;

Context

This verse begins the final chapter of the Sermon on the Mount, immediately following Jesus' teaching on seeking God's kingdom and righteousness. Having warned against anxieties and worldly pursuits, Jesus now addresses issues of interpersonal relationships within the community of believers. It sets the stage for a deeper exploration of hypocritical judgment and emphasizes the importance of self-examination before addressing the flaws of others.

v.1This passage

v.2For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured unto you.

Cross references

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

  • Isaiah 66:5

    Hear the word of Jehovah, ye that tremble at his word: Your brethren that hate you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, have said, Let Jehovah be glorified, that we may see your joy; but it is they that shall be put to shame.

  • 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.

  • Matthew 7:2

    For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured unto you.

  • Ezekiel 16:52

    Thou also, bear thou thine own shame, in that thou hast given judgment for thy sisters; through thy sins that thou hast committed more abominable than they, they are more righteous than thou: yea, be thou also confounded, and bear thy shame, in that thou hast justified thy sisters.

  • 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 6:41

    And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

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