For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you.
Parallel translations
- KJV For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
- BSB For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
- NKJV For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.
- NASB For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.
- 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.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
You will be judged by the same standard you apply to others. A harsh, unmerciful spirit invites the same measure in return.
Overview
Jesus states the principle behind the warning against judging: the measure we use for others is the measure used for us, both by people and finally by God. This exposes the danger of a critical, unforgiving attitude that holds others to a standard it ignores in itself. It calls disciples to humility and mercy, mindful of their own need for grace.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Jas 2:13For judgment is without mercy to him who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
- Mark 4:24He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you, and more will be given to you who hear.
- Luke 6:38“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you. For with the same measure you measure it will be measured back to you.”
- Obad 1:15For the day of Yahweh is near all the nations! As you have done, it will be done to you. Your deeds will return upon your own head.
- Rev 18:6Return to her just as she returned, and repay her double as she did, and according to her works. In the cup which she mixed, mix to her double.
- Ps 18:25–26With the merciful you will show yourself merciful. With the perfect man, you will show yourself perfect.
- Judg 1:7Adoni-Bezek said, “Seventy kings, having their thumbs and their big toes cut off, scavenged under my table. As I have done, so God has done to me.” They brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there.
- 2 Th 1:6–7Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay affliction to those who afflict you,
- 2 Cor 9:6Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
- Ps 137:7–8Remember, Yahweh, against the children of Edom, the day of Jerusalem; who said, “Raze it! Raze it even to its foundation!”
- Jer 51:24“I will render to Babylon and to all the inhabitants of Chaldea all their evil that they have done in Zion in your sight,” says Yahweh.
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 7:2 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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