Luke 6:37 Meaning: The Freedom of Releasing Others
Don’t judge, and you won’t be judged. Don’t condemn, and you won’t be condemned. Set free, and you will be set free.
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
And judge not, and ye shall not be judged: and condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: release, and ye shall be released:
`And judge not, and ye may not be judged; condemn not, and ye may not be condemned; release, and ye shall be released.
And judge not, and ye shall not be judged; condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned. Remit, and it shall be remitted to you.
Meaning in one sentence
Jesus calls us not to judge or condemn but to release. Learn what this means for daily life and how it connects to God's mercy.
Context
Jesus is speaking to a crowd on a level place, after spending the night in prayer. He has just told them to love their enemies and to be merciful, just as their Father is merciful. Now he gives three short commands that sound like a single rhythm: do not judge, do not condemn, and release. These verses come before his teaching on giving generously and on seeing clearly enough to help a brother with his speck. The whole section is about the kind of heart that reflects God's own mercy.
Key Words
Three Greek verbs shape this verse. The first, krinō (judge), means to separate or decide. It can be a neutral word, a judge makes decisions in court, but here Jesus forbids the kind of judgment that sets yourself above someone else, as if you were their final judge. The second, katadikazō (condemn), is stronger: it means to pronounce a verdict of guilt. Jesus tells his disciples not to take that role. The third verb is the surprise: apoluō, which means to release, set free, or let go. Some translations say forgive, and that is part of it, but the picture is of someone untying a rope. You hold a debt, a grievance, a person, and you open your hand. You let them go. That is the action Jesus says will come back to you.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians from many traditions agree that Jesus does not forbid all discernment. The same Gospel records him saying, “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment” (John 7:24). What he forbids is the condemning spirit that sets itself up as final judge over others. Early church teachers like John Chrysostom emphasized that this command targets hypocrisy, judging others while ignoring your own sins. Reformers such as Calvin noted that believers who show gentleness may still suffer slander, but God ultimately vindicates them. Across traditions, the call to release others is understood as a concrete way to receive God's mercy.
A common misunderstanding
A common misunderstanding is that “don’t judge” means you can never call anything wrong. In fact, Jesus taught his disciples to recognize false teachers and to confront sin in the church. The command forbids the kind of harsh, self-righteous condemnation that overlooks your own faults. It is about the attitude of the heart, not the act of discernment.
Living This Out
Think of one person you have silently written off. Maybe you rehearse their failure in your mind. You have already pronounced a verdict. This week, Jesus invites you to do something different: release them. You can do it as a quiet prayer. Say their name to God and let go of the debt you hold. It doesn't mean what they did was okay. It means you stop being their judge. That is the kind of freedom Jesus promises will come back to you.
Main takeaway: Jesus calls us to release others from our judgment just as we have been released from our debt to God.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
When you point at someone else's mistake, you forget your own. Jesus wants us to remember that God forgives us, so we can forgive others.
For ages 9, 12
Judging someone means you decide they are bad or wrong without looking at yourself first. Jesus says don't do that. Instead, when someone hurts you, you can choose to release them, let go of the hurt and trust God to handle it. That is a brave thing to do, and God promises to treat you the same way.
Questions People Ask
Does Luke 6:37 mean we can never judge others at all?
No. Jesus himself tells us to judge with right judgment (John 7:24). What he forbids here is the kind of condemning, self-righteous judgment that ignores our own faults. The context shows that we must first remove the beam from our own eye before helping a brother.
What is the difference between 'judge' and 'condemn' in this verse?
The Greek word for judge (krinō) means to separate or decide. It can be neutral. Condemn (katadikazō) is stronger: it means to pronounce a guilty verdict. Jesus tells us not to take the position of a judge who passes final sentence on someone else.
Why do some translations say 'forgive' and others say 'release'?
The Greek word apoluō means to set free or let go. When applied to a debt or an offense, it naturally means to forgive. But the image is more vivid: release someone from the prison of your resentment. Both translations capture part of the meaning.
Does this verse contradict church discipline?
No. Church discipline aims to restore someone, not condemn them. The attitude is humility and mercy, not self-righteousness. Paul gives instructions for church discipline in 1 Corinthians 5, always with the goal of repentance and restoration.
How can I practice 'releasing' someone who has hurt me deeply?
You can start with a simple prayer. Name the person and the offense to God. Then tell God that you give up your right to hold it against them. This may need to be repeated. Over time, your heart follows your action. Release does not mean pretending the hurt didn't happen; it means trusting God with the justice.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study