3 people Jesus never condemned

John 3:17 says “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.”

John 3:17 reveals Christ’s main intention when He came into the world: Jesus did not come to judge or condemn humanity, but instead He primarily came to offer the free gift of salvation to humanity.

The Greek word for condemn {krino} means to judge or sentence.

However, we see throughout Christ’s earthly ministry and interactions that Christ’s primary objective was that humanity discover that Jesus came as God in the flesh. Jesus lived the sinless life we should have lived and He sacrificed His life for the sins of the world and resurrected on the third day, so that whoever believes in Him as Lord and Savior would be saved from eternal punishment and receive eternal life (John 3:16).

Therefore, through Jesus Christ, God offers humanity a way to be rescued from sin and its consequences.

So in the Bible we learn that there are 3 people whom Jesus did not condemn during His earthly ministry

1. Jesus did not condemn sinners
Jesus never condemned the sinner but instead He showed compassion and offered forgiveness. For example, when faced with the woman caught in adultery, Jesus said “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more” (John 8:11).

In Matthew 9:12-13 Jesus said “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Therefore Christ’s primary mission was on redemption for humanity and not condemnation.

2. Jesus did not condemn social outcasts
Christ was willing to interact with people who were sick, poor, marginalized and socially excluded by offering them healing, hope, restoration and salvation. Jesus demonstrated that He loved everyone – especially those who were socially, physically and spiritually broken and damaged.

For example, in Mark 1:40-45 Jesus encounters a leper who asks to be healed. Jesus responds and touches the leper, saying “I am willing; clean”.

Another example is in Luke 7:36-50 which tells the story of a woman known to be a sinner and prostitute who comes to anoint Jesus with expensive perfume whilst He was having dinner at a Pharisee’s house.
Simon the Pharisee criticizes and condemns the woman’s actions, But Jesus defends the woman and points out that she has shown greater love and gratitude towards Him than Simon has.
Jesus then forgives the woman’s sins saying “Your faith has saved you, go in peace” (Luke 7:50)

These stories highlight Christ’s willingness to receive, accept and forgive those who are often ostracized or marginalized by society.

3. Jesus did not condemn people who struggled with faith
Jesus understands that we can be frail and that we have many weaknesses. Christ’s goal is to strengthen us when we doubt or when we are weak. Christ’s goal is to increase our faith and dependence on Him and Him alone. Therefore Jesus wants us to look to Him as our ultimate source for all that we need in life.

So Jesus never condemned people for their weaknesses. Instead He invited them to come to Him for rest and healing, saying “Come to Me all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28)

Another example is in Matthew 14:22-32. When Peter began to sink whilst walking in water after fearing the harsh wind and waves around him, Jesus reached out to save Peter, saying “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31).
Jesus did not condemn or reject Peter for his lack of faith but helped him grow through the struggle.

Another example is when Peter denied Jesus 3 times whilst Christ was being crucified. Jesus did not condemn Peter, but instead He restored Peter so that his faith and love for Christ grew stronger.

Conclusion

Jesus is ready to meet us where we are. He is there at our worst moment or in our weakest state.

No matter our situation, God loves us and is willing to save us and help us.

Christ did not come to condemn us – but to save us from the consequences of sin. He came that we might be reconciled back to God so that we may have an eternal and loving relationship with our Creator.