By Craig L. Blomberg
Read: Matthew 7:1-12
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” (v. 1 NIV)
Is all judgment wrong? We often hear people reassure each other with the two words no judgment. Every time a believer in Jesus speaks out against some controversial practice, even unbelievers will quote Matthew 7:1.
But what kind of judgment is Jesus talking about here? Analysis? Critique? Condemnation?
If I want to avoid a traffic accident, I’d better judge what the distance is between my car and the one in front of me. If my grandchild is crawling toward a whirring fan, I need to judge the likelihood of him being able to insert a finger where the blades could cut it off and take action to intervene if necessary! No one quotes the Bible at me on such occasions.
But if I warn someone that the consequences of their behavior may be detrimental for them because that’s what Scripture teaches, I may receive a verbal lashing: “Don’t judge me!” Ironically, that response might sound more judgmental than my original comment.
In context, Jesus is asking people to help take specks out of their brothers’ eyes after they’ve taken planks out of their own and to not give dogs what is sacred or throw pearls to pigs (vv. 5-6). So he can’t mean that his followers should never analyze what’s right and wrong and act accordingly.
Rather, they must not condemn, which is another equally common meaning of the Greek word krino used here. Vengeance they must leave to God.
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Craig L. Blomberg is the Distinguished Professor Emeritus of New Testament at Denver Seminary. He has written or edited more than 30 books, including a recently revised and expanded commentary on Matthew. He teaches regularly in churches, including his home church of Centennial Covenant in Littleton, Colo. He and his wife Fran have two daughters and three grandchildren.
Read: Matthew 7:1-12
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” (v. 1 NIV)
Is all judgment wrong? We often hear people reassure each other with the two words no judgment. Every time a believer in Jesus speaks out against some controversial practice, even unbelievers will quote Matthew 7:1.
But what kind of judgment is Jesus talking about here? Analysis? Critique? Condemnation?
If I want to avoid a traffic accident, I’d better judge what the distance is between my car and the one in front of me. If my grandchild is crawling toward a whirring fan, I need to judge the likelihood of him being able to insert a finger where the blades could cut it off and take action to intervene if necessary! No one quotes the Bible at me on such occasions.
But if I warn someone that the consequences of their behavior may be detrimental for them because that’s what Scripture teaches, I may receive a verbal lashing: “Don’t judge me!” Ironically, that response might sound more judgmental than my original comment.
In context, Jesus is asking people to help take specks out of their brothers’ eyes after they’ve taken planks out of their own and to not give dogs what is sacred or throw pearls to pigs (vv. 5-6). So he can’t mean that his followers should never analyze what’s right and wrong and act accordingly.
Rather, they must not condemn, which is another equally common meaning of the Greek word krino used here. Vengeance they must leave to God.
—————
Craig L. Blomberg is the Distinguished Professor Emeritus of New Testament at Denver Seminary. He has written or edited more than 30 books, including a recently revised and expanded commentary on Matthew. He teaches regularly in churches, including his home church of Centennial Covenant in Littleton, Colo. He and his wife Fran have two daughters and three grandchildren.
