Matthew 7:1
Encyclopedia
Matthew 7:1 is the first verse of the seventh chapter of the Gospel of Matthew
in the New Testament
and is part of the Sermon on the Mount
. This well known verse begins the discussion of judgmentalism.
In the King James Version of the Bible
the text reads:
The World English Bible
translates the passage as:
For a collection of other versions see BibRef Matthew 7:1
This verse, which appears in a similar form in Luke’s Sermon on the Plain, begins a discussion about how a person should relate to their fellows. Daniel Patte
feels that this is a natural progression from the earlier discussion of how one should have a positive outlook for oneself to how one should also have a positive opinion of others.
The judge mentioned in this verse is generally considered to be God. France notes that the author of Matthew frequently shifts to the passive tense when an action is carried out by God. This verse parallels Matthew 6:14, which states that the forgiving will themselves be forgiven.
The term translated as judge, krino, also implies condemnation not just judging. In this verse Jesus warns that one who condemns others will themselves be condemned. The rest of the Bible, including the very next verse, make clear that all manner of judgment is not being condemned. Thus while this verse is sometimes presented as an argument against all forms of disapprobation, most scholars believe that the context makes clear that this is a more limited decree.
Morris states it is an attack on the hasty and unfair judgments, and as the further verses show it is also an attack on the hypocrites who criticize others while ignoring their own faults. A wide array of forms of judging are presented favourably elsewhere in the New Testament. The decisions of legal court are seen as valid, the censoring of erroneous believers appears throughout the Bible, and the need for self judgment frequently praised. Some Christians do not accept this view. Some interpreters see this verse as an attack on the judicial powers of the state and the church and a call for radical egalitarianism. This view was embraced by many Anabaptist
groups. As Luz notes this verse also had an important impact on the theology of asceticism and monasticism. Rather than judge those in the world some Christian thinkers have argued that it is better to withdraw from it.
This verse has appeared many times in English literature and culture. It is referenced in sources as diverse as Lincoln's second inaugural address
and Bob Marley
's song "Judge Not
".
Gospel of Matthew
The Gospel According to Matthew is one of the four canonical gospels, one of the three synoptic gospels, and the first book of the New Testament. It tells of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth...
in the New Testament
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
and is part of the Sermon on the Mount
Sermon on the Mount
The Sermon on the Mount is a collection of sayings and teachings of Jesus, which emphasizes his moral teaching found in the Gospel of Matthew...
. This well known verse begins the discussion of judgmentalism.
In the King James Version of the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
the text reads:
- Judge not, that ye be not judged.
The World English Bible
World English Bible
The World English Bible is a public domain translation of the Bible that is currently in draft form. Work on the World English Bible began in 1997 and was known as the American Standard Version 1997...
translates the passage as:
- “Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged.
For a collection of other versions see BibRef Matthew 7:1
This verse, which appears in a similar form in Luke’s Sermon on the Plain, begins a discussion about how a person should relate to their fellows. Daniel Patte
Daniel Patte
Daniel Patte is a French American biblical scholar and author. Patte is Professor of Religious Studies and of New Testament & Early Christianity at Vanderbilt University since 1971...
feels that this is a natural progression from the earlier discussion of how one should have a positive outlook for oneself to how one should also have a positive opinion of others.
The judge mentioned in this verse is generally considered to be God. France notes that the author of Matthew frequently shifts to the passive tense when an action is carried out by God. This verse parallels Matthew 6:14, which states that the forgiving will themselves be forgiven.
The term translated as judge, krino, also implies condemnation not just judging. In this verse Jesus warns that one who condemns others will themselves be condemned. The rest of the Bible, including the very next verse, make clear that all manner of judgment is not being condemned. Thus while this verse is sometimes presented as an argument against all forms of disapprobation, most scholars believe that the context makes clear that this is a more limited decree.
Morris states it is an attack on the hasty and unfair judgments, and as the further verses show it is also an attack on the hypocrites who criticize others while ignoring their own faults. A wide array of forms of judging are presented favourably elsewhere in the New Testament. The decisions of legal court are seen as valid, the censoring of erroneous believers appears throughout the Bible, and the need for self judgment frequently praised. Some Christians do not accept this view. Some interpreters see this verse as an attack on the judicial powers of the state and the church and a call for radical egalitarianism. This view was embraced by many Anabaptist
Anabaptist
Anabaptists are Protestant Christians of the Radical Reformation of 16th-century Europe, and their direct descendants, particularly the Amish, Brethren, Hutterites, and Mennonites....
groups. As Luz notes this verse also had an important impact on the theology of asceticism and monasticism. Rather than judge those in the world some Christian thinkers have argued that it is better to withdraw from it.
This verse has appeared many times in English literature and culture. It is referenced in sources as diverse as Lincoln's second inaugural address
Lincoln's second inaugural address
Abraham Lincoln delivered his second inaugural address on March 4, 1865, during his second inauguration as President of the United States. At a time when victory over the secessionists in the American Civil War was within days and slavery was near an end, Lincoln did not speak of happiness, but of...
and Bob Marley
Bob Marley
Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley, OM was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician. He was the rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the ska, rocksteady and reggae band Bob Marley & The Wailers...
's song "Judge Not
Judge Not
"Judge Not" is the first single Bob Marley recorded. It was released in 1961, only in Jamaica on Leslie Kong label Beverley's. With a ska beat, Marley has a youthful voice, as it was his first recorded song. Though "Judge Not" failed to achieve much success, Marley was not discouraged and continued...
".