King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
Complete Jewish Bible:
Why do you see the splinter in your brother's eye but not notice the log in your own eye?
Berean Standard Bible:
Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to notice the beam in your own eye?
American Standard Version:
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And{G1161} why{G5101} beholdest{G991} thou the mote{G2595} that is in{G1722} thy{G4675} brother's{G80} eye{G3788}, but{G1161} considerest{G2657} not{G3756} the beam{G1385} that is in{G1722} thine own{G4674} eye{G3788}?
Cross-References (KJV):
John 8:7
- So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
John 8:9
- And they which heard [it], being convicted by [their own] conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, [even] unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
Galatians 6:1
- ¶ Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Luke 6:41
- And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
Luke 6:42
- Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.
2 Samuel 12:5
- And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, [As] the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this [thing] shall surely die:
2 Samuel 12:6
- And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Matthew 7:3
Matthew 7:3 is part of the Sermon on the Mount, a collection of Jesus' teachings delivered on a mountainside in Galilee to his disciples and a crowd of followers. This sermon, which spans chapters 5-7 in the Gospel of Matthew, is one of Jesus' most famous and comprehensive discourses, encapsulating the ethics and spirituality of the Christian faith.
The verse addresses the theme of hypocrisy and judgment. In it, Jesus uses a metaphor to illustrate the human tendency to focus on the minor faults of others—"the mote," or speck, in a brother's eye—while ignoring one's own significant shortcomings, which he likens to "the beam," or plank, in one's own eye. This powerful image serves to highlight the absurdity and moral inconsistency of being overly critical of others while neglecting to examine and address one's own more substantial flaws.
Historically, this teaching would have resonated with Jesus' audience, who were familiar with the strict moral and legal code of Judaism and the sometimes harsh judgments passed by religious leaders of the time. Jesus' message here is a call to self-examination and humility, emphasizing that one should deal with one's own moral and spiritual issues before attempting to correct others. It reflects the broader themes of the Sermon on the Mount, which include the call to a righteousness that exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, and the importance of inner purity over outward appearances.
In summary, Matthew 7:3 is a poignant critique of hypocritical judgment and a reminder of the importance of self-awareness and personal accountability in the Christian ethic. It challenges believers to practice humility and introspection before criticizing others, thus fostering a community based on mutual support and genuine spiritual growth rather than self-righteousness.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G1161
There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: δέ
Transliteration: dé
Pronunciation: deh
Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English). - Strong's Number: G5101
There are 483 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: τίς
Transliteration: tís
Pronunciation: tis
Description: probably emphatic of τὶς; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions):--every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why. - Strong's Number: G991
There are 119 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: βλέπω
Transliteration: blépō
Pronunciation: blep'-o
Description: a primary verb; to look at (literally or figuratively):--behold, beware, lie, look (on, to), perceive, regard, see, sight, take heed. Compare ὀπτάνομαι. - Strong's Number: G2595
There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: κάρφος
Transliteration: kárphos
Pronunciation: kar'-fos
Description: from (to wither); a dry twig or straw:--mote. - Strong's Number: G1722
There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐν
Transliteration: en
Pronunciation: en
Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition. - Strong's Number: G4675
There are 360 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: σοῦ
Transliteration: soû
Pronunciation: soo
Description: genitive case of σύ; of thee, thy:--X home, thee, thine (own), thou, thy. - Strong's Number: G80
There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀδελφός
Transliteration: adelphós
Pronunciation: ad-el-fos'
Description: from Α (as a connective particle) and (the womb); a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like Α):--brother. - Strong's Number: G3788
There are 86 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὀφθαλμός
Transliteration: ophthalmós
Pronunciation: of-thal-mos'
Description: from ὀπτάνομαι; the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the jealous side-glance):--eye, sight. - Strong's Number: G2657
There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: κατανοέω
Transliteration: katanoéō
Pronunciation: kat-an-o-eh'-o
Description: from κατά and νοιέω; to observe fully:--behold, consider, discover, perceive. - Strong's Number: G3756
There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οὐ
Transliteration: ou
Pronunciation: ookh
Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος. - Strong's Number: G1385
There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: δοκός
Transliteration: dokós
Pronunciation: dok-os'
Description: from δέχομαι (through the idea of holding up); a stick of timber:--beam. - Strong's Number: G4674
There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: σός
Transliteration: sós
Pronunciation: sos
Description: from σύ; thine:--thine (own), thy (friend).