Hypocrites Who Do not Judge What Is Right for Themselves

Hypocrites Who Do not Judge

What Is Right for Themselves

 

 

 

  

“Then He also said to the crowds, ‘When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, “A shower is coming,” and so it happens.  And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, “It will be hot,” and it happens. You hypocrites!  You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, but why do you not know how to interpret this present time?  And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?  As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison.  I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the very last penny’” (Luke 12:54–59).

 

 

(1)    As I meditated today on Luke 12:54–59, I chose the title for this devotional: “Hypocrites Who Do not Judge What Is Right for Themselves.”  The reason I chose this title is because of verses 56–57: “You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, but why do you not interpret this present time?  And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?”  Focusing on this passage, I would like to reflect on Jesus’ words spoken “to the crowds” (v. 54), where He calls them “hypocrites” (v. 56), dividing His message into two main points and receiving the lessons given through them:

 

(a)    First, Jesus said to the “hypocrites”: “You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, but why do you not interpret this present time?” (Lk. 12:56)

 

(i)       While meditating on Luke 12:56, I became curious about the Greek word translated as “interpret” (or “discern”).

 

1.       Greek word: dokimazō (δοκιμάζω)

 

Basic meaning: “to test,” “to examine,” “to prove.”  This word originates from the process of heating metal to test its purity.

 

2.       Dictionary meaning: It goes beyond simply “distinguishing”; it includes the idea of evaluating according to a standard and approving its worth.

 

Discernment: distinguishing right from wrong, genuine from false.

 

Verification: proving something’s value through testing.

 

·         I also wondered how this word dokimazō (δοκιμάζω) is used in other New Testament passages:

 

The Greek word “δοκιμάζω” (dokimazo) is frequently used in the New Testament to denote a form of "testing" with a predominantly positive connotation—specifically, "to verify and prove the worth" of something.  Representative biblical passages in which this word appears include the following:

 

1.   Discerning the will of God

 

Romans 12:2: “…be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may discern (dokimazō) what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”

 

This implies not a simple judgment, but a deep process of understanding and proving God’s will with a renewed mind.

 

                                    Ephesians 5:10: “Test (dokimazō) what pleases the Lord.”

                                   

Emphasizes that believers must continually examine what aligns with the Lord’s will in their lives.

 

2.    Examining oneself and others

 

1 Corinthians 11:28: “Let a person examine (dokimazō) himself…”

 

Before taking communion, one must carefully inspect their spiritual state.

 

2 Corinthians 13:5: “Examine (dokimazō) yourselves to see whether you are in the faith…”

 

A strong exhortation to confirm whether Christ truly dwells within.

 

                                    1 Timothy 3:10: “They must first be tested (dokimazō)…”

 

Refers to verifying the character and qualifications of those appointed to serve.

 

3.    God examining human hearts

 

1 Thessalonians 2:4: “…God who tests (dokimazō) our hearts.”

 

Indicates that God examines and approves the sincerity of our inner being (Internet).

 

(ii)        Then why did Jesus use this Greek word in Luke 12:56?  In conclusion, it conveys an urgent call: Just as you analyze the weather, you must spiritually examine and become convinced that this present time is the time of salvation (Internet).

 

·         Regarding how the “hypocrites” interpreted the weather, Jesus said: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming,’ and it happens. And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,’ and it happens” (vv. 54–55).

 

1.       The specific signs they recognized

 

Their judgments were highly scientific and experiential, based on the geography and climate of Palestine:

 

Clouds rising in the west (v. 54): To the west of Israel lies the Mediterranean Sea. When clouds came from that direction, they correctly predicted rain.

 

South wind blowing (v. 55): To the south lies the Negev desert. When hot desert winds (sirocco) blew, they anticipated intense heat.

 

2.       Why did Jesus call them “hypocrites”?

 

The reason Jesus called them hypocrites was because of their "selective sensitivity."

 

Sensitive to natural signs: They quickly recognized even small indicators (a cloud, a breeze) when it affected their livelihood and comfort.

 

Insensitive to spiritual signs: Yet they ignored the “signs of the times” unfolding right before them—the Messiah (Jesus) healing the sick, proclaiming the kingdom of God, and fulfilling Old Testament prophecy.

 

3.       The paradox of “discernment” (dokimazō)

 

They were experts at testing and evaluating natural phenomena, but failed to apply that same discernment to what mattered most: recognizing the presence of Jesus Christ in their time. 

 

In other words: ‘You have the intelligence to predict the weather, yet you lack the will to see spiritual truth.’  This disconnect—having intellectual ability without spiritual sincerity—is what Jesus defines as hypocrisy (Internet).

 

                    (iii)       As I meditated on this part of the passage (Lk. 12:54–56), I found myself asking this question: “Even today, isn’t there hypocrisy among us Christians—a kind that has intellectual ability, such as knowledge of the Bible, but lacks spiritual sincerity?”  Here is an AI (artificial intelligence) response to that question:

 

“Yes, that is a question that strikes at the very heart of the matter. The rebuke that Jesus gave to the religious leaders and the crowds of His time comes to us today as one of the most piercing warnings for modern Christians as well.

 

The form of ‘intellectual hypocrisy’ that modern Christians are prone to often appears in the following ways:

 

1.       The asymmetry of ‘discernment’ (dokimazō)

 

We are very sensitive when it comes to reading the trends of the world.  We react quickly and prepare ourselves at the slightest signs in stock charts, real estate forecasts, educational trends, or political issues (like discerning the weather in Luke 12:54–55).  Yet, when it comes to discerning our own spiritual condition or where God’s will lies, we are often surprisingly dull.

 

2.       When knowledge becomes ‘entertainment’ rather than ‘life’

 

Accumulating biblical knowledge: It is easy to mistake extensive Bible study and deep theological knowledge for spiritual maturity.

 

The core of hypocrisy: One may analyze and admire the Greek roots of the command to “love” intellectually, yet be stingy when it comes to forgiving a neighbor or accepting personal loss. Jesus referred to this when He said, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me” (Mt. 15:8).

 

3.       Focusing only on ‘phenomena’ rather than ‘the time’

 

Jesus told them to discern “this present time.”  This does not simply mean predicting the future, but confronting what God is doing in one’s life right now.  A hypocrite with strong intellectual ability hides behind religious forms and theories, cleverly avoiding the practical demands God is making—repentance and decisive action.

 

4.       The lack of ‘dokimazō’ in the modern sense

 

As mentioned earlier, dokimazō refers to testing metal by fire to prove its value.  Likewise, our faith must be proven genuine through trials and real-life practice.  However, intellectual hypocrisy chooses explanation instead of verification—talk instead of action.

 

In the end, what we need is this: As our biblical knowledge increases, we must continually examine whether that knowledge is making us into people who judge others, or into people who examine themselves (dokimazō) before God” (Internet).

 

·         As I reflected on this response, I came to think that a hypocrite with strong intellectual ability not only hides behind religious forms and theories to avoid the practical demands of repentance and decision that God requires, but also tends to judge others.

 

“That is an accurate and sharp insight. When knowledge becomes not a ‘scalpel that operates on oneself’ but a ‘weapon that cuts others,’ that person stands at the very peak of the ‘Pharisaic hypocrisy’ that Jesus most strongly warned against.

 

The mechanism by which an intellectually capable hypocrite judges others while avoiding repentance can be analyzed biblically as follows:

 

1.       Using knowledge as a basis for moral superiority

 

A subtle avoidance: When hearing God’s Word, instead of receiving it as ‘this is something I must repent of,’ the person thinks, ‘this is something that person needs to hear,’ redirecting the message outward.

 

A tool for judgment: Using one’s theological knowledge or interpretive ability as a standard to point out others’ shortcomings, while hiding one’s own inner corruption behind the brilliance of knowledge.

 

2.       Mistaking ‘theoretical correctness’ for ‘practical righteousness’

 

A person may have deep theoretical knowledge about sin but fail to make the decision to turn away from it.  Yet, simply because they can explain why the sin is wrong, they deceive themselves into thinking they are righteous.

 

Jesus rebuked such people strongly: “Woe to you… you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers” (Lk. 11:46).

 

3.       The distortion of spiritual ‘discernment’ (dokimazō)

 

Originally, dokimazō is meant to test whether I myself am acceptable before God.  But the hypocrite twists this function into a standard of judgment against others.  They quickly detect the speck (small errors or mistakes) in others’ eyes while failing to see the plank (their own unrepentant hardness) in their own.

 

4.       Religious activity without repentance

 

For such people, faith is not a personal encounter with God but becomes an ‘intellectual pastime’ or a ‘social mask.’

 

Because the practical aspects (sacrifice, forgiveness, humility) require effort and humility, they hide behind easier activities such as religious debates or formal participation in worship, finding self-satisfaction there.

 

In conclusion: As our knowledge of Scripture increases, the evidence that should appear is not sharper criticism toward others, but deeper sorrow over sin and broader compassion toward others.  If the truth we know is not making us humble, then that knowledge is likely becoming a poison that is making us spiritually sick” (Internet).

 

(b)    Finally, second, Jesus said to the “hypocrites,” “Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?” (“Why don’t you decide for yourselves what is right?”) (Lk. 12:57).

 

(i)       As I meditated on this verse, I became curious about the Greek word for “judge.”  I also wanted to compare it with the Greek word for “discern” (dokimazō) that we already examined in verse 56.

 

·            The Greek word for “judge” here is krinō (κρίνω). Its basic meaning is “to divide,” “to distinguish,” or “to judge.”  While dokimazō emphasizes the process of testing and examining (like testing metal), krinō places more weight on arriving at a final conclusion and making a judgment based on that examination (Internet).

 

(ii)        The “judgment” that Jesus uses in Luke 12:57 calls for two important attitudes of faith:

 

·         Voluntary judgment (judge for yourselves): At that time, people tended to rely on religious leaders (Pharisees and scribes) or traditions for their decisions.  Jesus challenges them to use the conscience and reason given by God—not the opinions of others—to personally decide “what is right.”

 

·         Moral and spiritual decision: This connects with the parable of going before a judge in Luke 12:58–59.  Just as it is wise to settle with an accuser on the way before reaching court (before judgment arrives), spiritually it means that repenting now and reconciling with God before standing before the Judge is the wisest decision (Internet).

 

(iii)       This word “judge” (krinō) is warned about in two ways in Scripture (Internet):

 

·         Judging others (negative): “Do not judge (krinō), or you too will be judged” (Mt. 7:1).  This refers to condemning others with one’s knowledge.

 

·         Judging oneself rightly (positive): As in Luke 12:57, it refers to discerning what is true and making a decision that determines the direction of one’s life.

 

(i)                 Jesus was pointing out that the hypocrites misused “judgment” (krinō) to criticize others, while failing to use that same intellectual ability to make the right judgment that would save their own souls.

 

·         In essence, it is a solemn command: “Take the sharp blade you used to judge others, and now use it to decide what is right and turn your own life around.”

 

(ii)               Then how are Jesus’ words in Luke 12:57 connected to verses 58–59 that follow?

 

·         The parable of the courtroom in Luke 12:58–59 serves as a concluding warning that shows why discerning “this time” and making the “right judgment” is so urgent.

 

1.       The situation of the parable (the golden time on the way)

 

You are being taken with your accuser to the judge.  The wisest action is to settle the matter while still on the way (before standing in court).

 

2.       The spiritual meaning of the figures in the parable

 

The accuser: God’s holy law, or the truth and conscience that accuse us as sinners.

 

The judge: God, the final Judge.

 

The officer: Agents of judgment (such as angels) or the state of eternal punishment.

 

The prison: The place of eternal judgment (hell).

3.       The meaning of “while you are on the way” (this present time)

 

When Jesus urged us to "strive to reconcile while you are on the way," He was emphasizing that "this very moment—before judgment arrives" is the sole opportunity available to us.

 

This message ties in with His instruction, mentioned in verses 54 through 56, to "discern this present age."  Now is the time when Jesus has come and opened the door to salvation—that is, the time spent "on the way" before we stand before the Judge.

 

4.       “Until you have paid the very last penny” (the thoroughness of judgment)

 

The statement in Verse 59—that one shall "by no means get out until you have paid the very last penny"—signifies that human beings, relying solely on their own strength, can never fully satisfy God's justice.  In other words, it means that the moment a person stands before the Judge to receive a verdict, there is absolutely no hope left for them.

 

5.       The core message: Abandon intellectual hypocrisy and decide

 

Hypocrites with strong intellectual ability may spend time discussing legal theories or procedures.  But Jesus calls them to stop such empty talk and act:

 

Humble yourself: Reconciling with the accuser requires admitting one’s fault—it may be humiliating, but it is far better than judgment.

 

Repent immediately: “Judge for yourselves what is right” (v. 57) means recognizing the coming judgment and choosing now to repent and reconcile with God.

 

In conclusion, Jesus is urging the crowds: “You are so adept at predicting the weather—why, then, do you fail to realize that your souls are currently hurtling toward judgment?  Before you stand before the Judge and face eternal regret, cast aside your hypocrisy and humble yourselves before God—while there is still an opportunity, right now” (Internet).

 

(2)    What lesson does Luke 12:54–59 give to modern Christians who cannot judge what is right for themselves?

 

(a)    The teaching for modern Christians with intellectual ability can be summarized in three main points:

 

1.       Turn ‘sensitivity to information’ into ‘spiritual sensitivity’

 

Modern people excel at reading data and trends—stocks, real estate, weather, and social issues. Our intellectual ability to interpret “worldly signs” is greater than ever.

 

Lesson: Just as you analyze natural phenomena, honestly examine the condition of your soul.  Being aware of the world but insensitive to God’s work and the signs of judgment in your life is spiritual negligence and hypocrisy.

 

2.       True discernment is not ‘accumulation of knowledge’ but ‘practical decision’

 

The command in verse 57 to “judge what is right” is not about intellectual understanding alone. “What is right” refers to repentance and reconciliation with God.

 

Lesson: The goal of faith is not extensive Bible knowledge or theological expertise.  True knowledge does not place us in the seat of judging others, but leads us to immediate obedience and repentance before God.

 

3.       Recognize that ‘while you are on the way’ is your last opportunity (urgency)

 

The courtroom parable in verse 58 reminds us that our lives are currently "on the road"—the span of our earthly existence—traveling toward the Judge (God).  Hypocrites of exceptional intellect tend to postpone making a decision, reasoning that they will "study the matter further later" or wait until "the circumstances are right."

 

Lesson: Judgment is not a theory—it is reality. Now, before standing in the courtroom, is the only golden time to reconcile with God.  Postponing repentance is one of the most dangerous deceptions of intellectual pride.

 

In conclusion:

The central message to modern Christians is this: “Take the sharp blade of intellect you once used to judge others, and now use it to cut away your own hypocrisy and be reconciled with God” (Internet).