“For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.”
My Notes
What Does Matthew 7:2 Mean?
Jesus states the law of reciprocal judgment: the standard you use to judge others is the standard applied to you. The measure you use to measure will measure you back. The equation is exact.
The principle is not karma. It is divine justice operating through a relational mirror. The severity or mercy you extend to others reflects back on you — not automatically, but through God's governing of how judgment works.
The verse follows the command 'judge not' (v.1) and provides the reason: the judgment you give is the judgment you get. The measure is your choice. The return is God's guarantee.
Jesus is not prohibiting all evaluation. He is warning that the standard you choose becomes your own standard. If you judge harshly, harshness is your portion. If you extend mercy, mercy returns.
Reflection Questions
- 1.How does this principle change the way you evaluate others?
- 2.What 'measure' have you been using on people that you would not want applied to yourself?
- 3.How is this different from karma — what makes it divine rather than impersonal?
- 4.Where do you need to switch from a harsh measure to a merciful one?
Devotional
With what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged. The standard is yours to choose. The return is not. Whatever measure you use on others — harsh or merciful, demanding or gracious — that same measure will be applied to your life.
With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. The measurement boomerangs. The ruler you use on others is the ruler used on you. If you measure people against impossible standards, those standards become yours to meet.
This is not a passive observation. It is a warning with teeth. The person who judges severely is inviting severe judgment. The person who extends mercy is creating the conditions for receiving mercy.
The principle transforms how you treat people. Before you criticize, before you evaluate, before you render a verdict on someone else's life — consider: this is the standard that will be applied to me. Am I comfortable being measured by the measure I am using?
Most of us want mercy for ourselves and justice for others. Jesus says: the standard is the same. What you give is what you get. Choose the measure carefully.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged,.... Both by God and men; to which agree those proverbial sentences…
With what judgment ... - This was a proverb among the Jews. It expressed a truth; and Christ did not hesitate to adopt…
Our Saviour is here directing us how to conduct ourselves in reference to the faults of others; and his expressions seem…
judgment The same Greek word is used Rom 2:2-3 of the divine sentence or decision: see that passage and context which…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture