Matthew 7:5

KJV

Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou hypocrite {G5273}, first {G4412} cast out {G1544} the beam {G1385} out of {G1537} thine own {G4675} eye {G3788}; and {G2532} then {G5119} shalt thou see clearly {G1227} to cast out {G1544} the mote {G2595} out of {G1537} thy {G4675} brother's {G80} eye {G3788}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You hypocrite! First, take the log out of your own eye; then you will see clearly, so that you can remove the splinter from your brother's eye!

Berean Standard Bible

You hypocrite! First take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

American Standard Version

Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 7:5 delivers a potent indictment against hypocrisy, urging radical self-examination before attempting to correct others. Through the vivid, hyperbolic imagery of a "beam" in one's own eye and a "mote" in a brother's, Jesus exposes the absurdity and spiritual danger of judgmentalism rooted in self-deception. The verse calls believers to a posture of humility, emphasizing that genuine spiritual clarity and the capacity for truly helpful, loving correction only emerge after diligently addressing one's own significant moral and spiritual failings.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of Jesus's monumental [Sermon on the Mount](/matthew/5 "Matthew 5 - The Sermon on the Mount"), specifically falling within the section on judging others found in [Matthew 7:1-6](/matthew/7-1-6 "Matthew 7:1-6 - Do Not Judge"). Immediately preceding [Matthew 7:5](/matthew/7-5 "Matthew 7:5 - The Beam and the Mote"), Jesus issues the direct command, "Judge not, that ye be not judged" ([Matthew 7:1](/matthew/7-1 "Matthew 7:1 - Do Not Judge")). He then explains the principle of reciprocal judgment ([Matthew 7:2](/matthew/7-2 "Matthew 7:2 - Measuring with the Same Measure")) and poses rhetorical questions highlighting the foolishness of a blind guide leading the blind, or a disciple being above his teacher ([Matthew 7:3-4](/matthew/7-3-4 "Matthew 7:3-4 - Why See the Mote?")). Thus, [Matthew 7:5](/matthew/7-5 "Matthew 7:5 - Hypocrite, First Cast Out the Beam") serves as the climactic and most pointed statement in this segment, revealing the true nature of the "judge" as a hypocrite and outlining the necessary prerequisite for any legitimate form of brotherly correction.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus's audience, predominantly Jewish, would have been familiar with the concept of spiritual discernment and the importance of righteous living. However, the religious landscape of the time, particularly among some Pharisaic groups, was marked by a strong emphasis on external adherence to the Law and a tendency towards self-righteousness and critical judgment of others, often overlooking personal moral failings. The imagery of a "beam" (a large timber) and a "mote" (a tiny speck or splinter) was likely a well-known proverbial hyperbole, perhaps even a common rabbinic jest, used to illustrate glaring disproportion. By employing this vivid, almost comical, image, Jesus directly challenged the prevalent culture of judgmentalism and exposed the spiritual blindness that accompanies hypocrisy. His teaching aimed to reorient their understanding of true righteousness from external performance to internal purity and humble self-assessment, a theme woven throughout the entire [Sermon on the Mount](/matthew/5 "Matthew 5 - The Sermon on the Mount").
* **Key Themes:** The central theme of [Matthew 7:5](/matthew/7-5 "Matthew 7:5 - The Call to Self-Examination") is the **exposure of hypocrisy** and the **imperative of radical self-examination**. Jesus identifies the judgmental person as a "hypocrite," underscoring the disingenuous nature of criticizing others while harboring greater faults oneself. This leads to the theme of **spiritual blindness**, where one's own significant sin (the "beam") obstructs clear vision, making genuine discernment impossible. Consequently, the verse emphasizes the **prerequisite for effective and loving correction**: true spiritual clarity ("then shalt thou see clearly") is only attained after humbly and diligently addressing one's own "beam." This teaching contributes to the broader themes of **true righteousness** (contrasted with superficial piety) and **authentic discipleship** found throughout the [Sermon on the Mount](/matthew/5 "Matthew 5 - The Sermon on the Mount"), where inward transformation is prioritized over outward show.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hypocrite (Greek, _hypokritḗs'_):** From G5273. This term originally referred to an actor or stage-player, someone who wears a mask and pretends to be someone they are not. In biblical usage, particularly by Jesus, it denotes a dissembler or pretender, someone whose outward actions or religious observance do not align with their inner character or motives. Here, Jesus uses it to label the person who is quick to point out the faults of others while being blind to their own, indicating a profound lack of sincerity and spiritual integrity.
* **Beam (Greek, _dokós'_):** From G1385. This word refers to a large piece of timber, a log, or a rafter used in construction, implying something substantial and impossible to overlook. In this hyperbolic metaphor, it represents a significant, glaring sin, moral flaw, or spiritual blindness in the person's own life. The sheer size of the "beam" emphasizes the gravity of the hypocrite's self-deception and the absurdity of their attempt to correct a minor fault in another.
* **Mote (Greek, _kárphos'_):** From G2595. This term describes a dry twig, a splinter, a speck of straw, or a tiny fragment. In contrast to the "beam," the "mote" represents a minor fault, a small imperfection, or a comparatively insignificant sin in another person. The deliberate disproportion between the "beam" and the "mote" highlights the spiritual blindness and distorted perspective of the hypocrite.
* **See clearly (Greek, _diablépō'_):** From G1227. This compound verb means "to look through," "to see distinctly," or "to recover full vision." It implies not merely physical sight, but spiritual discernment and moral clarity. Jesus states that only *after* removing one's own "beam" can one truly "see clearly" enough to offer effective and loving assistance to a brother. This emphasizes that personal purity and humility are prerequisites for genuine spiritual insight and helpful intervention.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou hypocrite,"**: Jesus directly addresses the judgmental person with a sharp, condemnatory label. This immediate accusation sets the tone, exposing the pretense and spiritual inconsistency of someone who focuses on others' faults while ignoring their own. It is a powerful indictment against spiritual pride and self-deception.
* **"first cast out the beam out of thine own eye;"**: This is the primary command and the essential prerequisite. The "beam" symbolizes a significant, glaring sin or moral failing that obstructs one's spiritual vision. Jesus demands radical self-examination and repentance as the initial and most crucial step. This act of "casting out" implies a deliberate, painful, and thorough removal of one's own major impediments to righteousness.
* **"and then shalt thou see clearly"**: This clause describes the positive outcome and necessary condition for legitimate help. Only after the "beam" is removed, and spiritual vision is restored, will the individual possess the moral clarity, humility, and genuine discernment required. The ability to "see clearly" is not just about perception, but about having the right heart and motive to help.
* **"to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye."**: This is the secondary, subsequent action. Once one's own "beam" is dealt with and vision is clear, then, and only then, is one equipped to gently and effectively help a brother with a minor fault. The purpose is not condemnation, but loving assistance aimed at restoration, reflecting a spirit of humility and grace rather than superiority.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 7:5 is rich in literary devices, primarily **Hyperbole** and **Metaphor**, which work together to create a memorable and impactful teaching. The entire image of a "beam" in one's eye and a "mote" in another's is a striking **Metaphor** for spiritual failings, where the "beam" represents a substantial, obvious sin or moral blindness, and the "mote" a comparatively minor fault. The extreme disproportion between a massive timber and a tiny speck is a classic example of **Hyperbole**, deliberately exaggerating the situation to underscore the absurdity and spiritual blindness of the hypocrite. This exaggeration makes the teaching unforgettable and highlights the comical yet tragic nature of someone with enormous personal flaws attempting to correct trivial ones in others. There is also an element of **Irony**, as the person who claims to have clear vision to fix others is, in fact, the one most profoundly blind to their own condition.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 7:5 profoundly shapes our understanding of judgment, humility, and the nature of true spiritual help within the community of faith. It underscores the biblical principle that genuine righteousness begins with self-awareness and repentance, not with external criticism of others. The passage challenges the human tendency towards self-justification and exposes the spiritual danger of hypocrisy, which fundamentally distorts one's relationship with God and others. It teaches that our ability to minister grace and truth to fellow believers is directly proportional to our willingness to confront our own sin and brokenness before God. This internal cleansing is a prerequisite for discerning the needs of others with compassion and offering correction that is redemptive rather than condemnatory.

* [Luke 6:41-42](/luke/6-41-42 "The Parable of the Mote and the Beam (Parallel Account)")
* [Romans 2:1-3](/romans/2-1-3 "God's Righteous Judgment")
* [Galatians 6:1](/galatians/6-1 "Restoring a Brother Gently")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 7:5 serves as a timeless mirror, inviting us to a posture of profound humility and rigorous self-examination. In a world often quick to criticize and condemn, Jesus's words redirect our gaze inward, challenging us to identify and address our own "beams" – whether they be pride, unforgiveness, unconfessed sin, or spiritual apathy – before we ever consider the "motes" in others. This teaching fosters empathy, reminding us that we are all flawed and in need of God's grace. When we genuinely wrestle with our own shortcomings, we gain a compassionate perspective that transforms our interactions. Our aim in relating to others should shift from judgmental scrutiny to loving support, offered only after we have humbly sought to align our own lives with Christ's standards. This verse calls us to cultivate a community marked by grace, where correction flows from a place of shared brokenness and genuine desire for mutual growth, rather than from a position of self-righteous superiority.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "beams" might be present in my own life that are hindering my spiritual vision and leading me to judge others unfairly?**
* **How does my tendency to criticize others reveal a lack of self-awareness or humility in my own heart?**
* **In what ways can I cultivate a habit of honest self-examination before engaging in conversations about others' faults?**
* **How might dealing with my own "beam" enable me to offer more loving, effective, and redemptive help to others in the future?**

### FAQ

**Does this verse mean we should never correct or confront anyone?**

No, [Matthew 7:5](/matthew/7-5 "Matthew 7:5 - The Prerequisite for Correction") does not prohibit all forms of correction or discernment. Instead, it establishes a crucial prerequisite: self-examination and humility. Jesus is condemning hypocritical judgment – the act of condemning others for faults that one possesses in greater measure, or with a self-righteous spirit. The phrase "then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye" implies that once one has dealt with their own significant issues (the "beam"), they *will* be able to help their brother with their "mote." This correction, however, must be done with clear spiritual vision, humility, and a genuine desire for the other person's restoration, not out of a spirit of superiority or condemnation. Other passages, like [Galatians 6:1](/galatians/6-1 "Galatians 6:1 - Restoring a Brother in a Spirit of Gentleness"), affirm the responsibility of believers to gently restore those caught in sin, but always with an awareness of one's own fallibility.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 7:5, while a stern warning against hypocrisy, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Christ. Jesus, the one without sin, is the only one truly qualified to "cast out the beam" from any eye, for He alone possesses perfect spiritual clarity and absolute righteousness ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Our High Priest, Tempted Yet Sinless")). He did not come to condemn the world, but to save it ([John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - God Sent His Son to Save the World")). His life perfectly exemplified the humility and self-giving love that this verse implicitly calls for, as He consistently prioritized the spiritual healing and restoration of others over any self-righteous condemnation. The "beam" in our eyes is ultimately the sin that separates us from God, and it is through Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross that this ultimate "beam" is removed, granting us the spiritual vision to truly see ourselves, God, and others ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Thus, our ability to humbly assess ourselves and then lovingly assist others flows directly from the grace and transformative power of the One who perfectly fulfilled the Law and bore the judgment we deserved, enabling us to see clearly through His eyes ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.

Psalms 51:9

Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

Psalms 51:13

[Then] will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

Matthew 23:13

¶ But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in [yourselves], neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

Matthew 23:28

Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

Luke 4:23

And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country.

Luke 13:15

The Lord then answered him, and said, [Thou] hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or [his] ass from the stall, and lead [him] away to watering?