John 8:15

15 `Ye according to the flesh do judge; I do not judge any one,

John 8:15 Meaning and Commentary

John 8:15

Ye judge after the flesh
According to their carnal affections and prejudices; taking the Messiah to be a temporal prince, and his kingdom to be of this world, they judged that Jesus could not be he; they looked upon him as a mere man, and seeing him in much outward meanness, in his human nature, they judged of him according to this outward appearance: or "ye" that are "after the flesh judge"; to which sense the Persic version agrees, "for ye are carnal"; and so judged as carnal men, who are very improper persons to judge of spiritual things:

I judge no man;
in the same way, after the flesh, or in a carnal manner, nor according to outward appearances, according to the sight of the eyes, or the hearing of the ears: Christ did not take upon him to judge and determine in civil affairs, or in things pertaining to a court of judicature among men; this was not his province; an instance of this there is in the context, in not condemning the woman brought to him; nor did he judge the persons and states of men, or proceed to pass any sentence of condemnation on them; he came not to condemn, but save the world; this was not his business now; otherwise, all judgment is committed to him, and which he will exercise another day.

John 8:15 In-Context

13 The Pharisees, therefore, said to him, `Thou of thyself dost testify, thy testimony is not true;'

14 Jesus answered and said to them, `And if I testify of myself -- my testimony is true, because I have known whence I came, and whither I go, and ye -- ye have not known whence I come, or whither I go.

15 `Ye according to the flesh do judge; I do not judge any one,

16 and even if I do judge my judgment is true, because I am not alone, but I and the Father who sent me;

17 and also in your law it hath been written, that the testimony of two men are true;