John 8:15

15 You judge by human standards. ^[a] I judge no 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 So the Pharisees said to Him, "You are testifying about Yourself. Your testimony is not valid."

14 "Even if I testify about Myself," Jesus replied, "My testimony is valid, because I know where I came from and where I'm going. But you don't know where I come from or where I'm going.

15 You judge by human standards. I judge no one.

16 And if I do judge, My judgment is true, because I am not alone, but I and the Father who sent Me [judge together].

17 Even in your law it is written that the witness of two men is valid.

Footnotes

• [a] Lit You judge according to the flesh