[Cal]

When Jesus prohibits judging in Matt 7, he does so in the sense of our acting as if we are above the particular failing we cite in another. You have to read it in context. He says in effect that if you judge someone you are saying that others can look for the same failing in you. He says it is a kind of blindness to say someone else has a sin and to not even consider that you might be doing the same thing yourself. This is consistent with Romans 2:1-3.

He immediately goes on to say do not give pearls to swine. But how can you fulfill that commandment without judging who is a swine and who isn't?!

In John 7:24, Jesus commands us to judge righteously. He does not tell us there wholesale not to judge. Rather he tells us to judge, just so as we do so righteously.

Taken as a whole, Jesus is not prohibiting all judging in Matt 7, just self-righteous judging.


Matt 7
1 “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

6 “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.


John 7
23 If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath so that the Law of Moses will not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made an entire man well on the Sabbath? 24 Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”