[CYM] 8.0 Do Not Judge

Yeshua’s command not to judge others is a call to humility, compassion, and self-awareness in relationships. It confronts the human tendency to criticize others while overlooking one’s own faults.

In the book of Matthew, Yeshua states clearly, judge not, that ye be not judged (Matthew 7:1). This teaching is part of the Sermon on the Mount and continues, for with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. (Matthew 7:2). Yeshua then uses the vivid image of someone trying to remove a speck from another’s eye while ignoring the plank in their own. In Matthew 7:3–5, it is recorded,

And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

The message is to examine oneself before passing judgment on others, encouraging repentance and humility.

The book of Luke echoes this command, saying, judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven (Luke 6:37). Here, Yeshua ties the call not to judge with the command to forgive, urging a generous and merciful spirit toward others.

While books of Mark and John do not include a direct “Do not judge” command in the same wording, the theme appears in Yeshua’s actions and teaching. In John 8:7, Yeshua challenges those ready to stone a woman caught in adultery. It says, so when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. This act models grace over condemnation.

Across the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Yeshua teaches that judgment belongs to God. His followers are called to self-examination, mercy, and forgiveness—not condemnation of others.