What did Jesus mean by "Judge not"?

Chuck Smith, Sermon on the Mount Study Guide, Matthew 7: Our Relationship with Man: (1) We should not judge presumptuously. (Romans 14:4) (2) We should not judge another’s motives. (3) We should not judge hypocritically. (Romans 2:1) (4) We should not judge hastily or rashly. (John 7:24) (5) We should not judge according to our own non-scriptural convictions. (Romans 14:2-3) (6) We should not judge unfairly or according to prejudice. (7) We should not judge unmercifully. The judgment that is prohibited is judging the person rather than the action. Scripture, King James Version: Matthew 7:1, "Judge not, that ye be not judged."; Romans 14:4, "Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand."; Romans 2:1, "Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things."; John 7:24, "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment."; Romans 14:2-3, "For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.". Study notes condensed from his teaching by The Word For Today. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.

Verified. Every scripture quotation on this page has been checked word-for-word against the King James text. Last reviewed 2026-10-18.