# What does the Bible say about judging others?

> What the Bible says about judging others: what Jesus means by “do not judge,” when right judgment is needed, and how to correct with humility. Cited verses.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/what-the-bible-says-about/judging-others
By Andrew Kittridge, Founder of Lumin · October 24, 2026
Verses are chosen for the question being asked. Scripture on this site is quoted from the Lumin Translation, the same text as the public reader and the iPhone Bible tab: Lumin’s own translation, drafted with AI from the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, checked verse by verse against them, and approved by Lumin. Glosses in answers are original summaries, not a second Bible. Open the named passage; AI is not the interpreter. [How we cite Scripture](https://www.lumin.faith/about#how-we-cite)

“Do not judge” is one of the most quoted lines in the Bible. Jesus does forbid hypocritical, condemning judgment, and Paul says we will all answer to God, not to each other. Yet Scripture also tells us to judge with right judgment, to restore someone caught in sin, and to weigh what is taught. The difference is the heart and the log in your own eye.

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## Bible verses about judging others

- **[Matthew 7:1-5](https://www.lumin.faith/read/matthew/7#1)** — Do not judge, or you will be judged; take the beam out of your own eye first.
- **[Luke 6:37](https://www.lumin.faith/read/luke/6#37)** — Do not judge or condemn, and forgive, and you will be forgiven.
- **[John 7:24](https://www.lumin.faith/read/john/7#24)** — Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.
- **[Romans 14:10-13](https://www.lumin.faith/read/romans/14#10)** — Why do you judge your brother or sister? We will all stand before God.
- **[James 4:11-12](https://www.lumin.faith/read/james/4#11)** — There is only one Lawgiver and Judge. Who are you to judge your neighbor?
- **[Romans 2:1](https://www.lumin.faith/read/romans/2#1)** — When you judge another, you condemn yourself if you do the same things.
- **[Galatians 6:1](https://www.lumin.faith/read/galatians/6#1)** — If someone is caught in wrongdoing, restore them gently and watch yourself.
- **[1 Corinthians 5:12-13](https://www.lumin.faith/read/1-corinthians/5#12)** — Paul expects the church to hold its own members accountable.

## Highlighted verse

> Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
>
> — Luke 6:37 (Lumin Translation)

## Reflection

People often use “do not judge” to mean “never say anything is wrong,” and others use it as a rebuke to anyone who disagrees. Neither is what Jesus meant. In the same sermon he tells us to take the beam out of our own eye so we can see clearly to help with the speck in a neighbor’s. He is not banning discernment. He is banning the posture of the judge who condemns, looks down, and forgets his own need for mercy.

Scripture asks for several things at once. Judge by truth, not by appearances (John 7:24). Leave final verdicts to God, who alone knows hearts. Hold fellow believers accountable gently, with a view to restoring them, and watch yourself while you do it (Galatians 6:1). A useful check before you speak: Am I helping this person, or am I enjoying being right? Have I looked at my own life first? Would I want to be corrected this way? If your answers are honest, you can say hard things in love.

## One next step

Read Matthew 7:1-5 slowly. Then name one person you have been judging in your head, and pray for them by name instead.

## FAQ

### What does “do not judge” mean in the Bible?

In Matthew 7:1-5 Jesus forbids hypocritical, condemning judgment, where you hold others to a standard you ignore yourself. He then tells you to remove the beam from your own eye so you can help your neighbor see clearly. It does not remove the call to discern right from wrong.

### Does the Bible say never to judge?

No. John 7:24 says to judge with right judgment, Galatians 6:1 says to restore someone caught in sin, and 1 Corinthians 5 expects the church to hold its members accountable. What is forbidden is condemning others, looking down on them, and acting as their final judge.

### Who is allowed to judge?

Only God judges as final Judge (James 4:12; Romans 14:10). People make limited judgments, such as courts, parents, church leaders, and anyone who has to decide whether a teaching is true. Even then the call is to humility, truth, and mercy.

### How do I correct someone without judging them?

Examine yourself first (Matthew 7:5), speak privately and gently, aim to restore rather than to win (Galatians 6:1), and be ready to be corrected yourself. Make sure you care about the person more than about being right.

## Related questions

- [What does the Bible say about forgiveness?](https://www.lumin.faith/what-the-bible-says-about/forgiveness.md)
- [What does the Bible say about pride?](https://www.lumin.faith/what-the-bible-says-about/pride.md)
- [What does the Bible say about humility?](https://www.lumin.faith/what-the-bible-says-about/humility.md)

## Related guides

- [Ask with Scripture you can open](https://www.lumin.faith/ask.md)
- [Read the chapter with Bible Coach](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-coach.md)
- [The Lumin Covenant](https://www.lumin.faith/trust.md)


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