JOHN 9:39 - DID JESUS COME TO JUDGE THE WORLD?

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According to John 9:39, Jesus stated that he came to judge this world.

(John 9:39 KJV) And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.

However in John 8:15 and 12:47 he equally stated that he came not to judge the world but to save it. John also made similar assertion in John 3:17.

(John 8:15 KJV) Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.

(John 12:47 KJV) And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

(John 3:17 KJV) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Are these statements contradictory? My answer is NO. 

Jesus did not come to judge the world. The primary purpose for his first coming was to bring salvation and give eternal life to all who believes. This purpose was accomplished through his death and resurrection. So he was absolutely right when he said he did not come to judge the world as that was not his primary purpose. He did not come to bring punishment or destruction rather he brought the means of salvation and gives eternal life to anyone who believes.

In John 9:39, the sense in which the word judgement was used is that of comparison, distinction [distinguishment] between light and darkness; between those that [spiritually] see and those that are [spiritually] blind. The word translated as judgement is from the Greek word, kríma which is derived from krínō. It also means "to distinguish".

 Notice that there are different meanings of the word judge. It can be:
  1. to condemn.
  2. to judicially decide a case by either declaring one innocent or guilty; deserving of punishment.
  3. to make an observation, a judgment call.
  4. to make a comparison.
  5. to govern.

It is however worthy of note that God's eternal judgement has been reserved for Jesus' second coming.


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