Bible Strands
John 8:15
You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses the Pharisees and temple authorities during a direct dispute over the validity of His testimony. He speaks in the temple courts immediately after explaining that His knowledge of His origin and destination validates His words.
The words — The Greek κρίνετε (krinete) and κρίνω (krinō) both carry the literal sense of judging or deciding. Jesus explicitly states "I judge no one" (οὐ κρίνω) while charging His listeners with judging "according to the flesh" (κατὰ τὴν σάρκα).
The thread — This rejection of human standards in favor of divine perspective runs through 1 Samuel 16:7, which forbids judging by outward appearance. Jesus restates this mission in John 12:47 and John 3:17 by declaring He did not come to condemn the world.
Why it lands — The text states that human judgment operates on visible, worldly criteria while Jesus claims a different source of authority. It requires readers to abandon superficial assessments and submit their evaluations to divine rather than human standards.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”
- John 12:47 As for anyone who hears My words and does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I have not come to judge the world, but to save the world.
- John 3:17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.
- John 7:24 Stop judging by outward appearances, and start judging justly.”
- John 18:36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world; if it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is not of this realm.”
- Romans 2:1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on another. For on whatever grounds you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.
- Psalms 94:20 Can a corrupt throne be Your ally—one devising mischief by decree?
- Amos 5:7 There are those who turn justice into wormwood and cast righteousness to the ground.
- John 8:11 “No one, Lord,” she answered. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Now go and sin no more.”
- 1 Corinthians 2:15 The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment.