Bible Studies
Jesus’ Instruction Regarding Judging Others (Matt. 7:1-6; Lk. 6:37-42)
Series: Additional StudiesIntroduction:
1. People find themselves drawn to this passage when caught in a logical inconsistency. “Jesus said, ‘You are not to judge!’” they say. 2. But Jesus was known for placing people in such situations.a. He did so with the rich young ruler (Lk. 18:18ff).
b. He did so with Nicodemus (Jn. 3:3-21).
c. He did so frequently and repeatedly with the Pharisees (Lk. 6:3ff, 6ff).
3. He was not malicious when he did it. Nor did He gloat because He had the superior argument. He was just trying to make the truth clear, sometimes to those who were attempting to avoid it. 4. And so when we are reasoning with others we should not do so with an air of superiority. On the other hand when we are caught in a logical inconsistency it is inappropriate to use this passage to side step our dilemma. 5. What does the passage mean and what is its appropriate use?Discussion:
I. First it is important to understand the context of what Jesus is saying.A. The text, as recorded in Matthew and in Luke is set within the Sermon on the Mount.
1. Already we have observed that this sermon has as its background the teaching of the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus is contrasting their righteousness with that of those in the kingdom of heaven.
a. This is clear from Matt. 5:17-20.
b. It is illustrated repeatedly in 5:21ff. Jesus here contrasts interpretations typical of the scribes and Pharisees with His “But I say to you . . .”
c. The case could be strengthened with additional evidence throughout the sermon as recorded by Matthew, but perhaps this is sufficient.
2. The case is further strengthened by the context in Luke.
a. Luke sets his Sermon on the Mount material in a context comparing Jesus’ experiences with the scribes and Pharisees with His experiences with the disciples.
b. As Luke describes the spreading teaching of Jesus he calls attention to the developing opposition of the Pharisees.
1) 5:17, 21
2) 5:30
3) 5:33.
4) 6:2.
5) 6:7.
c. The contrast.
1) Matthew (5:27).
2) The twelve (6:12)
3) Disciples (6:20).
4) The contrast continues through the rest of Luke 6.
B. This context calls on us to evaluate the scribes and Pharisees and their judgments.
1. Their judgments were often hypocritical (Matt. 23).
2. Hypocritical judgments are condemned in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 7:3-5; Lk. 6:41-42).
3. Judging in the Sermon on the Mount is equivalent to condemning others (Lk. 6:37). Notice the parallelism.
a. Do not judge, and you will not be judged.
b. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.
c. Recall how the Pharisees condemned Jesus and the disciples (Lk. 5:21, 30; 6:2, 11).
4. Judging or condemning stands in contrast to being gracious, pardoning or releasing others (Lk. 6:37-38).
5. We need to avoid hypocrisy in judging, avoid condemning and instead be gracious, willing to pardon and release. Hypocrisy and condemning judgments are reflective of a disposition characterized by arrogance and a condescending attitude toward others. It is not about a search for truth, but about proving oneself over another.
6. Instead we are to be merciful and gracious like our heavenly Father (Lk. 6:27-36). Note this is the paragraph immediately preceding the one on judging in Luke.
7. And so we are to treat others the way we want to be treated (Matt. 7:7-12). Note that this paragraph is the one immediately following the one on judging in Matthew. Note the statement on giving in Luke 6:38 also.
C. The bottom line then is “if you want to be treated graciously then treat others graciously.” “If you want to be pardoned, then pardon others.” “Give and it will be given to you.” “The standard that you use on others is the standard that will be used on you.”
II. Jesus says, “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” (Matt. 7:6).A. Observe that Matthew places this statement immediately following his paragraph on judging.
B. There is a connection.
1. It is, in my judgment, the scribes and Pharisees.
2. The saying is kind of a proverb. It is not intended as an absolute prohibition, but a judgment about what happens if you do.
3. Its implication in this text—If you try to communicate grace to some they will not understand it as valuable. Instead they will “trample your pearls” and “turn on you.”
4. That’s exactly what the scribes and Pharisees did to Jesus.
a. He communicated grace in healing (Lk. 5:12ff), in forgiving (17ff), in responding to tax collectors and sinners (29ff).
b. The scribes and Pharisees, on the other hand, looked for opportunity to accuse Him (7:7ff). Filled with rage they discussed together what they might do to Jesus (7:10-11).
C. In Luke the comparison continues.
1. Jesus heals a centurion’s servant identifying the fact that He has not found such great faith even in Israel (7:1-9).
2. Soon afterwards he raises widow of Nain’s son from the dead and people say, “A great prophet has arisen among us” (Lk. 7:11ff).
3. 7:29-30 says that the people and the tax collectors were baptized with John’s baptism, but the Pharisees and lawyers rejected God’s purpose for themselves not having been baptized with John’s baptism.
4. Jesus likens this generation to children who say, “We played the flute and you did not dance; we sang a dirge and you did not weep” (Lk. 7:31ff).
5. Simon, the Pharisee, is then contrasted with the weeping woman who was a sinner (Lk. 7:36ff).
D. Once you see the setting of these passages they all become clear.
Conclusion:
1. The message, of course, is that we should not be like the scribes and Pharisees, but like those who humbly accept God’s plan for us. 2. Our fear is that we will somehow be like the scribes and Pharisees. The fact that we have this fear is probably suggestive that we are not like them. 3. Their disposition was not accidental. It was not a result of being simply mistaken. It was a course that was deliberately and consciously chosen. 4. They rejected Jesus. They rejected His gracious approach. They rejected the revelation of God. They rejected the purpose of God for themselves. Their actions were deliberate or else they would have repented. 5. See yourselves in the sinners and tax collectors because you have accepted the revelation of God and have humbled yourselves before it. You have accepted Jesus and are part of His kingdom.
