General Comment on 8:14a–c
In some languages it may be necessary to reorder the clauses in this verse. For example:
I know where I came from and where I will go. Therefore my testimony is valid even though I testify about myself. You, however, do not know where I came from nor where I will go.
8:15a
You judge according to the flesh: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as according to the flesh refers to judging in a worldly way or by the way things look, without God’s help. For example:
You judge by worldly standards. (Revised English Bible)
-or-
You make judgments in a purely human way. (Good News Translation)
-or-
You people judge by outward appearances. (NET Bible Bible)
You: The Greek text emphasizes the pronoun You. The word is plural and refers to the religious leaders. In some languages it is more natural to make this explicit. For example:
You religious leaders
judge: The verb judge means “decide if someone is right or wrong.” Jesus criticized the religious leaders by saying that they did not judge correctly.
8:15b
I judge no one: The Greek text that the Berean Standard Bible translates as I judge no one is more literally “I do not judge anyone.” Jesus contrasted himself with the Pharisees who judged according to the flesh. The Greek text emphasizes the words “I” and “anyone” as a way to emphasize the contrast.
The word judge is in the present tense. Jesus did not say that he would never judge, but that he did not judge at that time. Be careful to translate this clause in a way that would not imply that Jesus would never judge. Here are other ways to translate this clause:
I do not judge anyone (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
I am not judging anyone (New Century Version)
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