And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
What does Matthew 7:3 mean?
We must judge ourselves, and judge of our own acts, but not make our word a law to everybody. We must not judge rashly, nor pass judgment upon our brother without any ground.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside Matthew 7:1-5 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Matthew 7:3
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? And why beholdest thou the mote ... - A mote signifies any "light substance," as dry chaff, or fine spires of grass or grain. It probably most usually signified the small "spiculae" or "beards" on a head of barley or wheat. It is thus placed in opposition to the word "beam." Beam - The word used here signifies a large piece of squared timber. The one is an exceedingly small object, the other a large one.
Key words
- beholdest
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And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye?.
- considerest
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And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye?.
- thine
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And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye?.
Context in Matthew 7
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Matthew 7 belongs to the early movement of the book, especially the section often described as birth and preparation. Matthew presents Jesus as Davidic Messiah, new Moses, teacher of the kingdom, suffering Son of Man, and risen Lord who commissions the nations. Read this chapter with the wider themes of fulfillment, kingdom of heaven, and discipleship in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
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Bible verses about justice and mercy
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Passages on the nature of truth, honesty, deception, the word of God as truth, and Jesus' claim to be the truth.