Luke 6:37 – “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
In this verse, Jesus calls His followers to avoid harsh judgment, condemnation, and unforgiveness. The command “Do not judge” doesn’t mean that believers should never discern right from wrong. Instead, Jesus is warning against a judgmental attitude that is quick to criticize, condemn, or hold others to impossible standards. When He says, “Do not condemn,” He’s referring to a spirit of final condemnation, where someone writes off another person as beyond hope or redemption.
The second half of the verse focuses on forgiveness. Jesus teaches that forgiving others is essential for those who want to experience God’s forgiveness. This doesn’t mean that forgiving others earns God’s forgiveness, but it shows that a heart transformed by God’s grace will naturally extend grace to others.
The overall message of the verse is about humility, mercy, and grace. Jesus is urging His followers to approach others with kindness and understanding, rather than with harshness or superiority. When believers show mercy and forgive, they demonstrate that they understand the mercy they’ve received from God.
Historical Context
In Jesus’ time, many religious leaders, particularly the Pharisees, were known for their harsh judgment of others. They often looked down on people they considered sinners or less righteous than themselves. The Pharisees had created a culture of legalism, where people were judged based on their ability to follow religious rules. This judgmental attitude made it difficult for people to experience God’s love and forgiveness.
Jesus challenged this system by emphasizing mercy and compassion. He often spent time with tax collectors, prostitutes, and others whom society had condemned, showing them that God’s grace was available to all. His teaching in this verse would have been radical because it confronted the self-righteous attitudes of the religious elite and called everyone to adopt a spirit of humility and forgiveness.
Theological Implications
This verse highlights the importance of humility and grace in the Christian life. Believers are not to set themselves up as judges over others, because only God has the authority to judge the heart. Jesus’ teaching here reflects the biblical principle that God is the ultimate judge, and His judgment is perfect and just (James 4:12).
The call to forgive is central to the gospel message. Christians are called to forgive others because they have been forgiven by God. Forgiveness is an act of grace that reflects an understanding of the mercy they’ve received through Christ. Refusing to forgive others can hinder a believer’s relationship with God, as it reveals a heart that hasn’t fully embraced God’s forgiveness.
This verse also teaches that how believers treat others will influence how they are treated. While God’s forgiveness is not based on works, Jesus makes it clear that those who show mercy and forgiveness will experience those same blessings from God. Conversely, those who are judgmental and unforgiving risk facing God’s judgment.
Literary Analysis
Luke 6:37 is structured as a series of parallel commands, each followed by a promise. The commands (“do not judge,” “do not condemn,” and “forgive”) are paired with the outcomes (“you will not be judged,” “you will not be condemned,” and “you will be forgiven”). This structure reinforces the cause-and-effect nature of Jesus’ teaching—how believers treat others will have a direct impact on their own spiritual lives.
The repetition of the negative commands emphasizes the seriousness of avoiding a judgmental or unforgiving attitude. The positive command to forgive stands out as the key to experiencing freedom from condemnation. The simplicity of the language makes the message clear, but its application requires deep reflection and a transformed heart.
Biblical Cross-References
- Matthew 7:1-2 – “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
- James 2:13 – “Because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
- Colossians 3:13 – “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
- Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
- Romans 2:1 – “You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.”
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse is a reminder to approach others with humility, grace, and compassion. It challenges believers to examine their own hearts before pointing out the faults of others. Jesus’ teaching doesn’t mean that believers should ignore sin or moral wrongdoing, but it does mean they should correct others with love and gentleness, not harshness or superiority (Galatians 6:1).
This verse also highlights the importance of forgiveness. In a world where grudges, bitterness, and division are common, Christians are called to be different. Forgiving others may not always be easy, but it is necessary for those who want to experience the fullness of God’s grace.
Additionally, this verse encourages believers to trust God as the ultimate judge. Instead of seeking revenge or holding onto anger, they can release their burdens to God, knowing that He will bring justice in His perfect time.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is central to this teaching. He is a God of mercy, patience, and forgiveness, and He desires His children to reflect those qualities in their interactions with others. God doesn’t deal with humanity harshly or quickly condemn them. Instead, He offers forgiveness and grace, giving people the opportunity to repent and be restored.
The fact that God forgives sinners and withholds judgment shows the depth of His love. His kindness is meant to lead people to repentance (Romans 2:4). By commanding His followers to forgive others, God is inviting them to participate in His redemptive work and reflect His love to the world.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus is the ultimate example of someone who lived out this teaching. Throughout His ministry, He showed mercy to sinners, tax collectors, and those whom society had condemned. He didn’t come to judge or condemn but to save and offer forgiveness (John 3:17). Even when He was on the cross, He prayed for His enemies, saying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).
Through His death and resurrection, Jesus provided the way for believers to receive God’s forgiveness. His sacrifice demonstrates the importance of forgiveness in God’s plan of salvation. Because of what Jesus did, believers are called to forgive others and avoid judgmental attitudes, knowing that they themselves have been forgiven much.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Are there people in your life whom you find difficult to forgive? How can you take steps toward forgiveness today?
- Do you struggle with being judgmental or critical of others? How can you cultivate a spirit of humility and grace?
- How does understanding God’s forgiveness toward you change the way you view and treat others?
- What practical steps can you take to show mercy and avoid condemning others, even when they’ve hurt you?
- How does Jesus’ example of forgiving His enemies inspire you to live out this command in your daily life?