“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse isn't just about not judging others; it's a direct call to release them. The Greek word translated "forgive" literally means "to let go free," urging us to release people from condemnation, just as we hope to be released ourselves. This highlights that our own release hinges on our willingness to grant freedom to others.
“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just delivered the Beatitudes and the "Woes" in the preceding verses, contrasting the blessedness of the humble and suffering with the doom of the proud and prosperous. He's setting the stage for a radical new way of living, one that completely upends worldly values and expectations, especially concerning how his followers should treat one another and the world.
Ever felt judged? Or maybe you've been quick to point out someone else's flaws? Jesus addresses a deep human tendency here, but it's not about ignoring sin altogether.
Jesus isn't saying we should never discern right from wrong. The religious leaders of his day were masters at spotting others' faults while ignoring their own huge failings – the 'beam in their own eye.'
Jesus connects our actions toward others directly to how God will treat us. What does it mean to 'release' someone, and why is it so powerful?
The word Jesus uses here for 'forgive' literally means 'to release' or 'to let go.' It implies freeing someone from a debt, an obligation, or a charge.
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Understand the original words
krinete · Greek Verb
To criticize, evaluate, or pass sentence upon others. In a biblical context, it often refers to the hypocritical, harsh, or presumptuous judgment that belongs to God alone.
katadikazete · Greek Verb
To declare guilty or pass a sentence of punishment. It implies a formal determination that someone is liable for a penalty, often contrasted with the grace of God.
apolyete · Greek Verb
To grant pardon or release a debt; to let go of an offense against oneself. It is the act of relinquishing a claim to retribution, modeled after God's forgiveness of believers in Christ.
Jesus directly parallels the command not to judge with a warning about receiving the same judgment and a vivid illustration about removing a speck from your brother's eye while having a log in your own. This passage provides the immediate context and further explanation for Jesus' words in Luke.
Matthew 6:14-15This passage explicitly links the act of forgiving others to God's forgiveness of us, highlighting the reciprocal relationship between our mercy towards others and God's mercy towards us, which is a core principle in Luke 6:37.
Colossians 3:12-13Paul echoes Jesus' teaching by calling believers to 'clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,' and importantly, to 'bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.' This shows the practical outworking of the command to forgive and not condemn.
Romans 14:1-4This passage addresses the issue of judging others based on differing practices or beliefs, particularly concerning 'disputable matters.' It cautions believers against condemning those who hold different views, reinforcing the spirit of Luke 6:37 by emphasizing God's acceptance of individuals.
gillLuke 6:37: "Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:"
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged,.... See Gill on Matthew 7:1 . Condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned; censure not men's persons, and judge not their state, or adjudge them to condemnation, for every offence in practice, or because they differ in principle, lest you should be treated in like manner by others; and especially, lest you should fall under the…
barnesLuke 6:37: "Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:"
See Matthew 7:1-9 .
The verse isn't just about not judging others; it's a direct call to release them. The Greek word translated "forgive" literally means "to let go free," urging us to release people from condemnation, just as we hope to be released ourselves. This highlights that our own release hinges on our willingness to grant freedom to others.
Jesus has just delivered the Beatitudes and the "Woes" in the preceding verses, contrasting the blessedness of the humble and suffering with the doom of the proud and prosperous. He's setting the stage for a radical new way of living, one that completely upends worldly values and expectations, especially concerning how his followers should treat one another and the world.
Jesus has just delivered the Beatitudes and the "Woes" in the preceding verses, contrasting the blessedness of the humble and suffering with the doom of the proud and prosperous. He's setting the stage for a radical new way of living, one that completely upends worldly values and expectations, especially concerning how his followers should treat one another and the world.
"“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;" — The verse isn't just about not judging others; it's a direct call to release them. The Greek word translated "forgive" literally means "to let go free," urging us to release people from condemnatio…
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Last reviewed October 2026