John 7:24 Meaning and Explanation
“Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jesus commands them to stop judging by outward appearance and to judge with righteous judgment.
What Does John 7:24 Mean?
This sentence closes the sabbath argument. Judged by the surface — work done on the holy day — the healing looked like lawbreaking. Judged by substance — God's mercy restoring a broken life — it fulfilled the law's own intent.
Righteous judgment weighs what God weighs. Man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). The command cuts both ways for us: we misjudge Jesus when we read him shallowly, and we misjudge people when we stop at the surface. Ask for eyes that see as God sees, and for verdicts patient enough to be true.
John 7:24 in the Original Language
opsis (ὄψις), 'appearance' -- the outward look of a thing, what first meets the eye.
Frequently Asked Questions About John 7:24
What does John 7:24 mean?
Jesus commands them to stop judging by outward appearance and to judge with righteous judgment.