John 7:23-24 English Standard Version

23 If on the Sabbath a man receives circumcision, so that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because on the Sabbath I made a man’s whole body well? 24 Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

Analysis of scriptures should begin with three simple principles, 1 who is speaking, 2 who is listening and 3 what are the circumstances.

1 Jesus is speaking, 2 the crowd in the temple listened, 3 Jesus had just taught in the temple V 16 So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. 17 If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.”

Jesus speaks to the issue of the law and the Sabbath but Jesus had not healed anyone on the Sabbath this day. The question of right judgment refers back to His proclaiming He is the One sent by God the Father into the world. Jesus is not asking them to judge His healing practices but rather to rightly judge if He is the Messiah.

John 7:25-26 English Standard Version

Can This Be the Christ?

25 Some of the people of Jerusalem therefore said, “Is not this the man whom they seek to kill? 26 And here he is, speaking openly, and they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Christ?

Right judgment brings into question the validity of those things we believe because of what we have been taught and hold to be true.

Right judgment is our only defense in true faith, sound doctrine and false teachings.

They had Jesus to hear in real time. We have the Holy Spirit to render the truth in all that Jesus has to say. They have the authority to speak for God the Father and that is what was in question, “by what authority?”