John 8:15 kjv
Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.
John 8:15 nkjv
You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one.
John 8:15 niv
You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one.
John 8:15 esv
You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one.
John 8:15 nlt
You judge me by human standards, but I do not judge anyone.
John 8 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Judging by the Flesh/Appearance (You Judge...) | ||
| Jn 7:24 | "Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment." | Contrasts their superficial judgment |
| 1 Sam 16:7 | "But the LORD said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature... For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.'" | God's superior standard of judgment |
| Isa 11:3 | "...He shall not judge by what His eyes see, or decide disputes by what His ears hear..." | Describes the righteous judgment of the Messiah |
| Rom 8:7-8 | "...the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God... those who are in the flesh cannot please God." | The limitation of the flesh's perspective |
| 2 Cor 5:16 | "From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard Him thus no longer." | Believers transcend carnal judgments of Christ |
| Jesus' Non-Condemnatory Mission (I Judge No One - in His First Coming) | ||
| Jn 3:17 | "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him." | Clarifies His primary mission as salvation |
| Jn 12:47 | "If anyone hears My words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world." | Reiteration of His saving purpose |
| Lk 9:56 | "For the Son of Man came not to destroy people's lives but to save them." | His salvific rather than destructive aim |
| Jn 5:24 | "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life." | Belief grants exemption from condemnation |
| Jesus as Ultimate Judge (Yet He Will Judge) | ||
| Jn 5:22 | "For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son..." | Jesus is the Father's appointed judge |
| Jn 5:27 | "...and has given Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man." | His authority to judge is divinely granted |
| Acts 17:31 | "Because He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a Man whom He has appointed..." | Prophecy of His future righteous judgment |
| 2 Tim 4:1 | "...Christ Jesus who is to judge the living and the dead..." | Affirmation of Christ's role as judge |
| Jn 9:39 | "Jesus said, 'For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.'" | His presence indirectly reveals and judges |
| Rev 19:11 | "Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war." | Depiction of Christ as the righteous Judge |
| Righteous vs. Unrighteous Judgment | ||
| Deut 1:17 | "You shall not show partiality in judgment; you shall hear the small and the great alike... for the decision is God's." | Standards for just judgment |
| Ps 75:7 | "but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another." | God as the ultimate arbiter |
| Matt 7:1-2 | "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you." | Warning against hypocritical judgment |
| Rom 14:10 | "Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God;" | Emphasizes God's ultimate judgment |
| Jas 4:12 | "There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, He who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?" | Highlights the sole authority of God to judge |
John 8 verses
John 8 15 Meaning
John 8:15 states a profound contrast between human judgment and divine purpose. When Jesus says, "You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one," He is highlighting the superficial and often prejudiced nature of human assessment, particularly that of the religious leaders who were judging Him based on outward appearances and human standards. In direct contrast, Jesus declares that His mission during His first advent is not to condemn or pass sentence in a worldly sense, but to reveal truth and offer salvation, refraining from judgment that leads to immediate condemnation of individuals. This does not mean He never judges, but that His immediate purpose at that moment was not to condemn in the manner they condemned Him.
John 8 15 Context
John 8:15 takes place during a heated discussion between Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders in the temple courts, specifically the Treasury area (Jn 8:20). This dialogue immediately follows the episode of the woman caught in adultery (though some ancient manuscripts omit this passage, its thematic relevance is strong). Jesus has just stated, "I am the light of the world" (Jn 8:12), to which the Pharisees responded by challenging His self-testimony, asserting that His witness was not true because He was testifying about Himself (Jn 8:13). Jesus counters their accusation by explaining that His testimony is true because He knows His origin and destination (Jn 8:14). It is in this environment of accusation, challenge, and the contrasting understanding of truth and authority that verse 15 is spoken, directly addressing their method and basis of judgment. The Pharisees judge based on external and legalistic standards, while Jesus points to His divine mission and non-condemnatory purpose at that time.
John 8 15 Word analysis
You: Refers directly to the Jewish religious leaders and Pharisees challenging Jesus. It sets up a stark contrast between their method of judgment and His.
judge: From Greek krinō (κρίνω), meaning to separate, distinguish, or make a decision. It can refer to legal judgment, discerning, or condemning. Here, it highlights the act of making a verdict on someone.
according to the flesh: From Greek kata sarka (κατὰ σάρκα). This phrase signifies judging based on outward appearance, human standards, natural impulses, human weakness, prejudice, or material realities rather than spiritual insight or divine truth. It implies a limited, biased, and often inaccurate form of judgment. It highlights their inability to grasp Jesus' divine nature and mission.
I: Emphatic contrast to "you." It signifies Jesus' divine nature and authority.
judge: Again, krinō (κρίνω). In this instance, Jesus refers to the type of judgment leading to condemnation.
no one: From Greek oudena (οὐδένα). This is a strong negative, emphasizing that His primary purpose in His first coming is not to condemn. It is a present-tense statement reflecting His mission. This does not preclude His future role as the righteous judge, but it describes His immediate mission to save.
You judge according to the flesh: This phrase condemns their prejudiced and superficial assessment. It indicates that their verdicts are flawed, originating from human weakness and blindness rather than divine truth or understanding. They failed to recognize His divine authority and acted on their carnal wisdom.
I judge no one: This emphasizes Jesus' non-condemnatory mission in His incarnation. His primary goal was salvation, not to issue final damnation. He offers grace and truth. This is crucial for understanding His divine nature, as He possesses the authority to judge but defers it in favor of redemptive love during His earthly ministry.
John 8 15 Bonus section
The immediate context of Jesus' interaction in the temple (Jn 8:12-30) shows His patience amidst severe opposition. Despite the religious leaders' accusatory and condemning stance toward Him, He continues to teach truth about His divine origin and unity with the Father. His statement, "I judge no one," highlights the infinite grace embedded in the Father's plan for salvation, prioritizing redemption before ultimate retribution. This approach stands in stark contrast to humanity's natural inclination towards quick judgment and condemnation of those perceived as "other" or "wrong." This verse underscores a crucial theological point: divine judgment, unlike human judgment, is perfect in its timing, its basis, and its outcome, ultimately serving the purposes of God's perfect justice and holy love.
John 8 15 Commentary
John 8:15 stands as a powerful declaration of the stark contrast between human and divine perspectives on judgment. The religious leaders, immersed in their legalistic interpretations and human traditions, were quick to judge Jesus based on external appearances and their rigid, often biased, understanding of the Law. Their "judgment according to the flesh" was flawed because it was incapable of perceiving Jesus' true identity and divine mission. It lacked spiritual discernment and was rooted in self-righteousness.
Conversely, Jesus asserts, "I judge no one." This does not mean He lacks the authority or capacity to judge, for elsewhere in John (5:22, 5:27) and throughout the New Testament, He is clearly depicted as the Father's appointed judge of all humanity. Rather, His statement here defines the purpose and nature of His first advent. He did not come as an earthly king to execute immediate justice or condemnation upon sinners. Instead, He came to bring light, truth, and the path to salvation (Jn 3:17, 12:47). His presence and words inherently expose the condition of hearts (Jn 9:39), but His immediate intent was to heal and reconcile, not to pronounce final damnation. His patience and grace offer opportunity for repentance, demonstrating a divine judgment that seeks restoration before condemnation. This verse reminds us that true judgment belongs to God and operates on a perfect, holy standard, unlike human judgments which are often limited by perception, prejudice, and a lack of true understanding.