The Meaning of Matthew 7:2 Explained

Matthew 7:2

KJV: For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

YLT: for in what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged, and in what measure ye measure, it shall be measured to you.

Darby: for with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you.

ASV: For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured unto you.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For  with  what  judgment  ye judge,  ye shall be judged:  and  with  what  measure  ye mete,  it shall be measured  to you  again. 

What does Matthew 7:2 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The thought here is similar to that in Matthew 6:14-15. The person who judges others very critically will experience a similarly rigorous examination from God (cf. Matthew 18:23-35). There is a word play in the verse in the Greek text that suggests Jesus may have been quoting a popular proverb. [1]

Context Summary

Matthew 7:1-12 - Judging Self Asking God Serving Others
There is abundant need for a right and sound judgment, illumined by the Spirit of truth; but there is a world of difference between it and the censorious and critical opinions which we are apt to form and utter about others. Human nature is fond of climbing up into the judgment seat and proclaiming its decisions, without hearing both sides or calling witnesses. Beware of basing your judgment on idle stories and gossip. In any case, do not utter it, if it be adverse, unless you have first prayed about it and sought to turn the sinner from the error of his ways. Let God search you, before you search another. See Psalms 139:23-24; 1 Corinthians 4:1-5; Hebrews 4:12.
We ask for a gift; we seek for what we have lost; we knock for entrance. Only a door stands between us and Christ! He will not give us stones or serpents, even if we clamor for them; but He will never fail to give good things-and above all His Holy Spirit-only we must ask for them.
The Roman Emperor Severus was so charmed with the Golden Rule that he had it inscribed on the walls of his palace. Let us inscribe it on our hearts and act on it in the power of the Holy Spirit, who sheds God's love abroad in the hearts of those who believe. [source]

Chapter Summary: Matthew 7

1  Do Not Judge
7  Ask, Seek, Knock
13  Enter through the Narrow Gate
15  A Tree and Its Fruit
24  The Wise and the Foolish Builders
28  Jesus ends his sermon, and the people are astonished

What do the individual words in Matthew 7:2 mean?

With whatever for verdict you judge you will be judged and measure you measure it will be measured again to you
ἐν γὰρ κρίματι κρίνετε κριθήσεσθε καὶ μέτρῳ μετρεῖτε μετρηθήσεται ὑμῖν

  whatever 
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Dative Neuter Singular
Root: ὅς 
Sense: who, which, what, that.
κρίματι  verdict 
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Singular
Root: κρίμα  
Sense: a decree, judgments.
κρίνετε  you  judge 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: κρίνω  
Sense: to separate, put asunder, to pick out, select, choose.
κριθήσεσθε  you  will  be  judged 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Passive, 2nd Person Plural
Root: κρίνω  
Sense: to separate, put asunder, to pick out, select, choose.
μέτρῳ  measure 
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Singular
Root: μέτρον  
Sense: measure, an instrument for measuring.
μετρεῖτε  you  measure 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: μετρέω  
Sense: to measure, to measure out or off.
μετρηθήσεται  it  will  be  measured  again 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: μετρέω  
Sense: to measure, to measure out or off.
ὑμῖν  to  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 2nd Person Plural
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.