User blog comment:Ghmorello/Chapter 899: The Millennium Wadatsumi/@comment-24850639-20180323191734/@comment-42.99.164.76-20180327021803

I believe that Luffy didn't just play him after speaking out against Sanji. Remember, it was clearly hammered by Oda that Luffy is more connected with another being's feelings more than anything.

Yes, Judge was still an ass. He intended to be an ass while saying those things. Don't get me wrong.

However, the skill development for Luffy this arc indicates that he's able to see through facade because of the aforementioned inclination towards emotions (i.e. Sanji vs Luffy). The way I read the Judge scene, he was clearly feeling a different emotion than hate for Sanji and confusion at Luffy's action. For me, it wasn't because Luffy was oblivious. Not this time.