Matthew 7:5

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.

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}.

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!

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.

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.

Context

This powerful verse, Matthew 7:5, is a pivotal part of Jesus's renowned Sermon on the Mount, found in chapters 5-7 of the Gospel of Matthew. It immediately follows Jesus's teaching on not judging others (Matthew 7:1-4). Here, Christ intensifies His rebuke against hypocrisy, particularly the tendency to focus on the faults of others while overlooking one's own significant moral failings. The audience would have understood this as a direct challenge to the self-righteous attitudes prevalent among some religious leaders of the day, as well as a timeless caution for all believers.

Key Themes

  • Hypocrisy Exposed: The verse directly labels the critical observer as a "hypocrite." Jesus uses a vivid, exaggerated metaphor to highlight the absurdity of someone with a massive flaw (a "beam") attempting to correct a minor one (a "mote") in another. This challenges the spiritual pride and self-deception that often accompany judgmentalism.
  • Radical Self-Examination: Before attempting to correct or "help" another, the primary responsibility is to diligently examine and address one's own character and spiritual deficiencies. The "beam" represents a significant, glaring sin or moral blindness that impedes clear spiritual vision.
  • Prerequisite for Effective Help: Only after a sincere and successful process of self-correction can one genuinely and effectively assist others. The phrase "then shalt thou see clearly" implies that personal purity and humility are essential for offering true, loving, and constructive help, rather than condemnation.

Linguistic Insights

The imagery in this verse is deliberately hyperbolic, designed to be memorable and impactful. The Greek word for "beam" is dokos (δοκός), referring to a large timber or log, such as one used in construction. In stark contrast, "mote" translates from the Greek karphos (κάρφος), which means a tiny dry speck, a splinter, or a piece of straw. The comical disproportion between a "beam" and a "mote" underscores the gravity of the hypocrite's blindness to their own immense faults while being overly critical of a minor flaw in another. This strong contrast highlights the spiritual blindness that prevents true discernment and loving correction.

Practical Application

The teaching of Matthew 7:5 remains profoundly relevant for personal and communal life today. It calls believers to a posture of humility and introspection:

  • Prioritize Personal Growth: Rather than fixating on the imperfections of others, we are urged to first address our own sins, biases, and shortcomings. This fosters personal spiritual maturity and prevents self-righteousness.
  • Cultivate Humility: Recognizing our own "beams" promotes empathy and compassion for others, understanding that everyone is on a journey of growth and struggles with sin. This humility is foundational for healthy relationships.
  • Enable True Help: When we have genuinely dealt with our own issues, we gain the moral authority, wisdom, and clear vision necessary to offer loving, redemptive correction to others. This correction is then offered with grace and a desire for restoration, not condemnation, reflecting the spirit of Galatians 6:1.

This verse serves as a timeless warning against judgmentalism and a powerful call to personal integrity and a humble, self-aware approach to life.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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?

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