Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eyeThis phrase addresses the human tendency to focus on the minor faults of others while ignoring one's own more significant shortcomings. In the cultural context of Jesus' time, the eye was often seen as a window to the soul, and the metaphor of a "speck" suggests a small, perhaps insignificant flaw. This teaching is part of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus emphasizes the importance of self-examination and humility. The concept of judging others is also addressed in other scriptures, such as
Romans 2:1, which warns against judging others when one is guilty of similar or greater sins.
but fail to notice the beam in your own eye?
The "beam" represents a much larger fault or sin, highlighting the hypocrisy of judging others while being blind to one's own failings. The imagery of a beam, or a large piece of wood, contrasts sharply with the speck, underscoring the severity of self-deception. This teaching encourages believers to practice introspection and repentance. The idea of self-awareness and humility is echoed inJames 1:23-24, where the Word of God is likened to a mirror that reveals one's true self. The call to remove the beam from one's own eye before addressing the speck in another's is a call to personal holiness and integrity, aligning with the broader biblical theme of sanctification.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Jesus ChristThe speaker of this verse, delivering the Sermon on the Mount, a foundational teaching moment in His ministry.
2.
The DisciplesThe primary audience of the Sermon on the Mount, representing followers of Christ who are learning about the Kingdom of God.
3.
The BrotherRepresents fellow believers or people within one's community, highlighting interpersonal relationships.
4.
The Speck and the BeamMetaphorical elements used by Jesus to illustrate the concept of hypocrisy and self-awareness in judgment.
5.
The Sermon on the MountA significant teaching event where Jesus outlines the principles of the Kingdom of Heaven, including moral and ethical instructions.
Teaching Points
Self-Examination Before JudgmentJesus emphasizes the importance of examining our own faults before pointing out the faults of others. This requires humility and honesty in assessing our spiritual condition.
Hypocrisy in JudgmentThe metaphor of the speck and the beam highlights the danger of hypocrisy. We must be cautious not to judge others harshly while ignoring our own significant shortcomings.
The Importance of HumilityRecognizing our own imperfections fosters humility, which is essential in our relationships with others and in our walk with God.
Restoration with GentlenessWhen addressing the faults of others, it should be done with a spirit of gentleness and love, aiming for restoration rather than condemnation.
Community and AccountabilityThis teaching encourages believers to foster a community where accountability is practiced with grace and understanding, promoting spiritual growth for all.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Matthew 7:3?
2.How can we apply Matthew 7:3 to our daily interactions with others?
3.What does Matthew 7:3 teach about self-awareness and personal accountability?
4.How does Matthew 7:3 connect with Galatians 6:1 on correcting others?
5.Why is it important to address our own faults before judging others?
6.How can Matthew 7:3 guide us in fostering humility and grace?
7.What does Matthew 7:3 teach about self-awareness and judgment of others?
8.How does Matthew 7:3 challenge our understanding of hypocrisy?
9.Why is self-reflection important according to Matthew 7:3?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 7?
11.What does "Take the Plank Out of Your Eye" mean?
12.What does 'Take the Plank Out of Your Eye' mean?
13.Why do you judge others while ignoring your faults?
14.Should we judge others? (Matthew 7:1 vs. John 7:24)What Does Matthew 7:3 Mean
Why do you look“Why do you look” (Matthew 7:3) pulls us into Jesus’ examination of our reflex to scrutinize others first.
• The Lord’s expectation is that we live alert to our own walk before noting anyone else’s (Romans 2:1).
• He confronts the instinctive pride that assumes authority over another’s conscience (Proverbs 20:6).
•Luke 6:41 repeats the same rebuke, underscoring that this is not a casual suggestion but an essential safeguard against hypocrisy.
at the speckThe “speck” pictures a tiny sliver—real but small.
• Minor flaws in others grab our attention because they are easier to spot than our own (Galatians 6:1).
• Jesus is not denying the speck’s existence; rather, He exposes the disproportionate energy we invest in it (John 8:7).
•Romans 14:4 reminds us that God, not we, is “able to make him stand,” keeping perspective on whose judgment finally matters.
in your brother’s eye“Brother” signals the family bond Christ expects among believers.
• Addressing a brother’s weakness must flow from love, not superiority (1 John 3:16).
• The eye is sensitive; careless poking wounds. Restoration therefore demands gentleness (Ephesians 4:32).
•1 Corinthians 5:12 draws a boundary: concern for the household of faith first, never as busybodies but as servants who build up.
but fail to noticeThe phrase highlights spiritual blindness—willful neglect of self-examination.
•Psalm 19:12 asks, “Who can discern his own errors?” acknowledging our need for God to reveal hidden faults.
•Jeremiah 17:9 warns that the heart is “deceitful above all things,” explaining why we overlook our own failings.
•James 1:22-25 compares such neglect to looking in a mirror and “going away, and immediately forgetting” what we saw.
the beam in your own eyeA “beam” is a load-bearing timber, absurdly larger than a speck.
• Jesus paints a humorous yet sobering contrast to stress the gravity of personal sin (Matthew 23:27).
•Psalm 51:3 shows David owning his “transgressions… ever before me,” the opposite of ignoring the beam.
•Proverbs 28:13 promises mercy to the one who confesses and forsakes his sins, inviting immediate repentance.
summaryMatthew 7:3 calls for humility that starts at home. The Lord directs us to look inward first, deal decisively with our own “beam,” and only then approach a brother’s “speck” with grace. By obeying this order, we honor Christ, protect our fellowship, and keep the church’s witness pure before the watching world.
(3)
Why beholdest thou the mote. . .?--The Greek noun so translated means a "stalk" or "twig" rather than one of the fine particles of dust floating in the sun to which we attach the word "mote." The illustration seems to have been a familiar one among the Jews, and a proverb all but verbally identical is found as a saying of Rabbi Tarphon. Like illustrations have been found in the proverbs and satires of every country, all teaching that men are keen-sighted as to the faults of others, blind as to their own. The Gracchi complain of sedition, and Clodius accuses others of adultery. We all need the wish--
"Oh, wad some Power the giftie gie us,
To see oursels as others see us!"
But considerest.--There is the same contrast as between "seeing" and "considering" inMatthew 6:26;Matthew 6:28. Our own faults require the careful scrutiny which we never give them: the faults of others we should be content to glance at.
Verses 3-5. - The heinousness of censoriousness as a hindrance to one's self and to one's work for others.
Verse 3. - Parallel passage:
Luke 6:41.
And why - when it is so contrary to common sense -
beholdest thou the mote, etc.? A Jewish proverbial saying,
e.g. Talm. Bab., 'Bab. Bathra,' 15b, Rabbi Jochanan (
third century A.D.),expounding
Ruth 1:1, says, "A generation which when under judgment (
שנשפט) judgeth its judges. When one saith to a man, Cast out the mote out of thine eyes, he saith (in answer), Cast out the beam out of thine eyes." In Talm. Bab., 'Erach.,' 16
b, "Out of thy teeth" seems to be the right reading. In these verses the "eye" is usually taken as belonging solely to the illustration, and as not itself representing any one object. It may be so, but it has been used so recently (
Matthew 6:22) of the spiritual sense that it is more natural to take it so here. In this case the thought of the passage is of faults existing in a man's spiritual sense hindering his spiritual vision. The censorious man sees any fault, however small, readily enough in others, but does not see the much greater fault which he himself as a matter of fact has - his own censoriousness. This censoriousness is not a slight, but a great hindrance to his own spiritual vision, much more to his being of use in removing hindrances from the eye of another.
The mote;
τὸ κάρδος; Latt.
festucam; any small vegetable body. The English word is from the Anglo-Saxon
mot, "a small particle" (cf. further
Luke 6:41, note). Observe that our Lord allows that there is something wrong with the brother's spiritual vision, just as he allows that the unmerciful servant had a real debt owing to him.
That is in thy brother's eye (
Matthew 5:22, note). Our Lord is here speaking of the relation of believers to fellow-believers. He tacitly contrasts the censoriousness of the Pharisees towards fellow-Jews (
John 7:49).
But considerest not (
οὐ κατανοεῖς). With any attention of mind; contrast
Romans 4:19 (Abraham gave earnest consideration to his own age, and yet believed).
The beam. So huge a piece of wood is there in thine own eye.
That is in thine own eye. The order of the Greek lays still more emphasis on the fact that, though in thy very own eye there is a beam, thou payest no regard to that (cf. ver. 5, note).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
WhyΤί(Ti)Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101:Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.do you look atβλέπεις(blepeis)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 991:(primarily physical), I look, see, perceive, discern. A primary verb; to look at.theτὸ(to)Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.speckκάρφος(karphos)Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2595:A dry stalk, chip of wood, twig, splinter, chaff. From karpho; a dry twig or straw.inἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.yourσου(sou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.brother’sἀδελφοῦ(adelphou)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 80:A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.eye,ὀφθαλμῷ(ophthalmō)Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3788:The eye; fig: the mind's eye. From optanomai; the eye; by implication, vision; figuratively, envy.butδὲ(de)Conjunction
Strong's 1161:A primary particle; but, and, etc.failοὐ(ou)Adverb
Strong's 3756:No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.to noticeκατανοεῖς(katanoeis)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2657:To take note of, perceive, consider carefully, discern, detect, make account of. From kata and noieo; to observe fully.[the] beamδοκὸν(dokon)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1385:A beam or spar of timber. From dechomai; a stick of timber.inἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.your [own]σῷ(sō)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4674:Yours, thy, thine. From su; thine.eye?ὀφθαλμῷ(ophthalmō)Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3788:The eye; fig: the mind's eye. From optanomai; the eye; by implication, vision; figuratively, envy.
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NT Gospels: Matthew 7:3 Why do you see the speck that (Matt. Mat Mt) 
