Matthew 7:2 kjv

For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

Matthew 7:2 nkjv

For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

Matthew 7:2 niv

For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Matthew 7:2 esv

For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.

Matthew 7:2 nlt

For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.

Matthew 7 verses

Matthew 7 2 Meaning

Matthew 7:2 succinctly articulates a principle of divine reciprocity. It warns that the standard, method, and severity with which an individual judges or assesses others will be precisely the standard and severity by which they themselves will be judged, ultimately by God. The verse underscores that the measure of mercy, grace, and understanding we extend to others will be the very measure returned to us.

Matthew 7 2 Context

Matthew 7:2 is a direct amplification and explanation of the preceding verse, "Judge not, that ye be not judged" (Matt 7:1). These verses initiate a pivotal section of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus' extensive discourse on true righteousness and the character expected of those in His kingdom.

The immediate chapter context transitions from teachings on prayer and material possessions in Matthew 6 to instructions concerning interpersonal relationships. Historically, Jesus' audience included Jews familiar with the Mosaic Law and the judicial traditions of the day, as well as the prevailing judgmentalism of certain religious leaders (e.g., Pharisees and scribes). The Sermon critiques an external, legalistic righteousness in favor of an inward transformation of the heart. The command against judging and its consequence are part of Jesus' call for disciples to embody a radical, counter-cultural ethic marked by humility, love, and mercy, rather than the critical, condemning spirit often exhibited by those who considered themselves righteous. The teaching stands in direct contrast to the tendency to measure others by rigid human standards while excusing oneself, a practice common then as now.

Matthew 7 2 Word analysis

• For: (Greek: γὰρ, gar) This conjunction serves to introduce the reason or explanation for the preceding command in Matthew 7:1. It tells why one should not judge.
• with what judgment: (Greek: ἐν ᾧ κρίματι, en hō krimati)
  • en (with/in): Denotes the means or standard.
  • hō (what/that which): Relative pronoun, pointing to the specific nature.
  • krimati (judgment, dative case of κρίμα, krima): This refers not to a final legal verdict, but to the standard, manner, measure, or quality of the judging. It implies the critical faculty, the evaluation, or the condemnatory attitude applied. It encompasses the principles, criteria, and spirit used in assessing others.
• ye judge: (Greek: κρίνετε, krinete, 2nd person plural present active indicative of κρίνω, krinō) This verb signifies the act of discerning, evaluating, making a decision, separating, distinguishing, or even condemning. In this context, given the injunction of v.1, it primarily means to criticize, find fault, or pass censorious verdicts, particularly without charity or full understanding.
• ye shall be judged: (Greek: κριθήσεσθε, krithēsesthe, 2nd person plural future passive indicative of κρίνω, krinō) The future tense indicates a certainty. The passive voice ("you shall be judged") is a theological or divine passive, signifying that God (or a divine agent) is the one doing the judging. This is not about human retaliation, but a profound spiritual principle enacted by the ultimate Judge.
• and: (Greek: καὶ, kai) A conjunction connecting the two parallel clauses, emphasizing that the second statement reinforces and exemplifies the first.
• with what measure: (Greek: ἐν ᾧ μέτρῳ, en hō metrō)
  • en (with/in): Same as above, indicates the means or standard.
  • hō (what/that which): Same as above.
  • metrō (measure, dative case of μέτρον, metron): Refers to the physical or metaphorical standard, capacity, or scale used for quantifying something. It emphasizes the degree or quantity of scrutiny, compassion, or generosity.
• ye mete: (Greek: μετρεῖτε, metreite, 2nd person plural present active indicative of μετρέω, metreō) This verb means to measure out, dispense, or apportion using a specific standard or volume. It reinforces the idea of active assessment and giving.
• it shall be measured to you again: (Greek: μετρηθήσεται ὑμῖν, metrēthēsetai hymin, 3rd person singular future passive indicative of μετρέω, metreō, followed by dative hymin meaning "to you") Another divine passive, underscoring the certainty and source of this reciprocity. The phrase "to you again" (hymin) further highlights the personal, inescapable application of this principle to the one who judges or measures. The again (implied) signifies the direct correlation of what is dispensed and what is received.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged": This parallelism states that the standard and spirit of criticism one applies to others will be the very basis by which divine judgment is rendered against oneself. It is not a call to absolute non-discernment but against unmerciful, hypocritical, or self-righteous condemnation. The underlying principle is that the measure of compassion or harshness extended by us will be the measure returned to us.
• "and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again": This second, equally potent parallelism uses an analogy from commercial exchange or distribution. "Meting out" implies dispensing something by a set measure. The verse conveys that the exact "volume" or degree of kindness, understanding, grace, or even severity, that one gives out to others, will be precisely the volume received back. It illustrates a clear cause-and-effect spiritual law, a "boomerang effect" where one's actions, particularly judgmental ones, return to the originator with the same force and precision.

Matthew 7 2 Bonus section

The double parallelism in Matthew 7:2—judgment for judgment, and measure for measure—is a characteristic rhetorical device of Jesus, deeply embedded in both Old Testament wisdom literature and Jewish thought. This "lex talionis" (law of retaliation) principle, though often applied to physical restitution in the OT law (e.g., Exod 21:23-25), is here spiritualized and universalized to encompass the intangible aspects of one's disposition and character in judgment.

The theological passive voice for "shall be judged" and "shall be measured" is crucial. It deflects the expectation of human-on-human retaliation, placing the ultimate accountability and consequences firmly in the divine realm. This means the outcome is not based on fickle human reactions but on the unerring and righteous character of God, who applies our own standards back to us with perfect consistency.

The underlying message reinforces Jesus' radical call to "Kingdom ethics." Unlike worldly systems that prioritize power, external conformity, or retribution, God's Kingdom operates on principles of love, mercy, and profound personal responsibility for one's inner attitudes. It demands a spiritual self-awareness that transcends superficial assessments of others and recognizes our shared human brokenness. This profound teaching requires a humble heart that acknowledges its own need for mercy before it ever thinks to extend harsh judgment.

Matthew 7 2 Commentary

Matthew 7:2 serves as a powerful theological deterrent against judgmentalism, solidifying the ethical principle laid out in the preceding verse. It's not merely a warning about human retribution but a profound statement on divine justice. God's response to humanity is profoundly linked to humanity's treatment of one another, especially concerning judgment and mercy. The precision implied by "measure" and "judgment" indicates a careful, just, and perfect reciprocity on God's part.

The passage highlights several crucial aspects of Christian living:

1. Divine Accountability: We are reminded that our judgments and actions are not isolated; they are noted and factored into our own ultimate account before God.
2. Mercy's Imperative: Given that we ourselves will stand before the ultimate Judge, it compels us to adopt a merciful, understanding, and patient posture toward others. If we expect grace, we must extend grace.
3. Humility over Condemnation: It pushes against prideful self-righteousness, urging self-reflection instead of quick condemnation of others. It challenges the assumption of moral superiority often underpinning harsh judgment.

This verse does not prohibit discernment or necessary moral evaluation (e.g., distinguishing good from evil, or discerning false teachers as required later in Matthew 7). Rather, it warns against the spirit and standard of judgment: condemning, hypocritical, or unmerciful attitudes. The emphasis is on judging with the same grace and patience we hope to receive from God.

For practical application, consider:

• Before criticizing someone's failure, consider your own vulnerabilities and how you would wish to be judged.
• When tempted to spread gossip, reflect on whether you would want that measure applied to your own reputation.
• Extend generous forgiveness, understanding that your capacity for mercy directly correlates to the mercy you will experience from God.