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What does the Bible say about judging people?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible forbids proud, hypocritical condemnation of others while calling believers to exercise humble, truthful discernment under God’s authority. In Matthew 7:1-5, Jesus warns that those who judge must first examine and repent of their own sin. Luke 6:37 teaches mercy and forgiveness, while John 7:24 calls for righteous rather than superficial judgment. James 4:11-12 reminds us that God alone is the final Lawgiver and Judge. Yet Scripture also commands the church to recognize false teachers and divisive influences, as Matthew 7:15 and Romans 16:17-18 show. Christians should therefore speak truth lovingly, pursue restoration, and leave final judgment to the Lord.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Matthew 7:1-5 13 votes

    “Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged. For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye? Or how will you tell your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye,’ and behold, the beam is in your own eye? You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye.

  • Luke 6:37 12 votes

    Don’t judge, and you won’t be judged. Don’t condemn, and you won’t be condemned. Set free, and you will be set free.

  • John 7:24 9 votes

    Don’t judge according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”

  • James 4:11-12 7 votes

    Don’t speak against one another, brothers. He who speaks against a brother and judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. Only one is the lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge another?

  • Matthew 7:1 4 votes

    “Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged.

  • Romans 16:17-18 4 votes

    Now I beg you, brothers, look out for those who are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and turn away from them. For those who are such don’t serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the innocent.

  • Romans 2:3 4 votes

    Do you think this, O man who judges those who practice such things, and do the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?

  • Proverbs 10:18 3 votes

    He who hides hatred has lying lips. He who utters a slander is a fool.

  • Luke 12:57 3 votes

    “Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right?

  • Matthew 7:15 3 votes

    “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.

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