For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
What does Matthew 7:2 mean?
We must judge ourselves, and judge of our own acts, but not make our word a law to everybody. We must not judge rashly, nor pass judgment upon our brother without any ground.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside Matthew 7:1-5 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Matthew 7:2
With what judgment ... - This was a proverb among the Jews. It expressed a truth; and Christ did not hesitate to adopt it as conveying his own sentiments. It refers no less to the way in which people will judge of us, than to the rule by which God will judge us. See 2 Samuel 22:27 ; Mark 4:24 ; James 2:13 . Mete - Measure. You shall be judged by the same rule which you apply to others.
Key words
- measure against measure
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measure against measure. Samson walked after his eyes, and therefore the Philistines plucked out his eyes.
- measure against measure
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measure against measure. Samson walked after his eyes, and therefore the Philistines plucked out his eyes.
Context in Matthew 7
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Matthew 7 belongs to the early movement of the book, especially the section often described as birth and preparation. Matthew presents Jesus as Davidic Messiah, new Moses, teacher of the kingdom, suffering Son of Man, and risen Lord who commissions the nations. Read this chapter with the wider themes of fulfillment, kingdom of heaven, and discipleship in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
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Bible verses about justice and mercy
Key texts on public righteousness, neighbor-love, social ethics, compassion, and the prophetic refusal to separate worship from justice.
Passages on the nature of truth, honesty, deception, the word of God as truth, and Jesus' claim to be the truth.