Albert Barnes Commentary John 7:24

"Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment." — John 7:24 (ASV)

Judge not according to the appearance. Not as a thing first offers itself to you, without reflection or candour. In appearance, to circumcise a child on the Sabbath might be a violation of the law; yet you do it, and it is right. So, to appearance, it might be a violation of the Sabbath to heal a man, yet it is right to do works of necessity and mercy.

Judge righteous judgment. Candidly: looking at the law, and inquiring what its spirit really requires.