Matthew 7:3
New International Version
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?

New Living Translation
“And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?

English Standard Version
Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is 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?

Berean Literal Bible
And why do you look at the splinter in your brother's eye, but not notice the beam in your own eye?

King James Bible
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

New King James Version
And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?

New American Standard Bible
Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

NASB 1995
“Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

NASB 1977
“And why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

Legacy Standard Bible
And why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

Amplified Bible
Why do you look at the [insignificant] speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice and acknowledge the [egregious] log that is in your own eye?

Christian Standard Bible
Why do you look at the splinter in your brother’s eye but don’t notice the beam of wood in your own eye?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye but don’t notice the log 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?

Contemporary English Version
You can see the speck in your friend's eye, but you don't notice the log in your own eye.

English Revised 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?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So why do you see the piece of sawdust in another believer's eye and not notice the wooden beam in your own eye?

Good News Translation
Why, then, do you look at the speck in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the log in your own eye?

International Standard Version
"Why do you see the speck in your brother's eye but fail to notice the beam in your own eye?

Majority Standard Bible
Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to notice the beam in your own eye?

NET Bible
Why do you see the speck in your brother's eye, but fail to see the beam of wood in your own?

New Heart English Bible
And why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

Webster's Bible Translation
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thy own eye?

Weymouth New Testament
And why do you look at the splinter in your brother's eye, and not notice the beam which is in your own eye?

World English Bible
Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And why do you behold the speck that [is] in your brother’s eye, and do not consider the beam that [is] in your own eye?

Berean Literal Bible
And why do you look at the splinter in your brother's eye, but not notice the beam in your own eye?

Young's Literal Translation
And why dost thou behold the mote that is in thy brother's eye, and the beam that is in thine own eye dost not consider?

Smith's Literal Translation
And why seest thou the mote which is in thy brother's eye, and the beam in thine eye thou observest not?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Any why seest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye; and seest not the beam that is in thy own eye?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And how can you see the splinter in your brother’s eye, and not see the board in your own eye?

New American Bible
Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye?

New Revised Standard Version
Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Why do you see the splinter which is in your brother’s eye, and do not feel the beam which is in your own eye?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Why do you notice a chip that is in your brother's eye, and you do not observe the plank that is in your own eye?
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And why do you look at the splinter that is in your brother's eye, but perceive not the beam that is in your own eye?

Godbey New Testament
But why do you see the mote which is in the eye of your brother, and do not recognize the beam which is in your own eye?

Haweis New Testament
And why spiest thou out the mote which is in thy brother?s eye, yet payest no attention to the beam which is in thine own eye?

Mace New Testament
why do you observe the mote that is in your brother's eye, and not consider the beam that is in your own eye?

Weymouth New Testament
And why do you look at the splinter in your brother's eye, and not notice the beam which is in your own eye?

Worrell New Testament
"And why do you behold the mote that is in your brother's eye, but consider not the beam in your own eye?

Worsley New Testament
And why dost thou look at the splinter in thy brother's eye, but takest no notice of the beam in thine own eye?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Do Not Judge
2For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to notice the beam in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while there is still a beam in your own eye?…

Cross References
Luke 6:41-42
Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye but fail to notice the beam in your own eye? / How can you say, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while you yourself fail to see the beam in your own 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.

Romans 2:1
You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on another. For on whatever grounds you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

James 4:11-12
Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. And if you judge the law, you are not a practitioner of the law, but a judge of it. / There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

Galatians 6:1
Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.

John 8:7
When they continued to question Him, He straightened up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone at her.”

1 Corinthians 11:31
Now if we judged ourselves properly, we would not come under judgment.

Proverbs 26:12
Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Proverbs 20:9
Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin”?

Proverbs 16:2
All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.

Proverbs 21:2
All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.

1 John 1:8-10
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. / If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. / If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us.

Romans 14:10-13
Why, then, do you judge your brother? Or why do you belittle your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. / It is written: “As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow before Me; every tongue will confess to God.” / So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. ...

1 Corinthians 4:5
Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

Psalm 51:3-5
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. / Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You may be proved right when You speak and blameless when You judge. / Surely I was brought forth in iniquity; I was sinful when my mother conceived me.

Psalm 19:12
Who can discern his own errors? Cleanse me from my hidden faults.


Treasury of Scripture

And why behold you the mote that is in your brother's eye, but consider not the beam that is in your own eye?

why.

Luke 6:41,42
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 18:11
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

but.

2 Samuel 12:5,6
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 Chronicles 28:9,10
But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name was Oded: and he went out before the host that came to Samaria, and said unto them, Behold, because the LORD God of your fathers was wroth with Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up unto heaven…

Psalm 50:16-21
But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? …

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Matthew 7
1. Do Not Judge
7. Ask, Seek, Knock
13. Enter through the Narrow Gate
15. A Tree and Its Fruit
24. The Wise and the Foolish Builders
28. Jesus ends his sermon, and the people are astonished.














Why do you look at the speck
This phrase begins with a rhetorical question that Jesus poses to His audience. The Greek word for "look" is "blepō," which means to see, perceive, or regard. It implies a deliberate action of focusing on something. In the context of this verse, it suggests an intentional scrutiny of another's minor faults. The "speck" is translated from the Greek word "karphos," which refers to a small particle, like a splinter or a piece of straw. This imagery is vivid and would have been easily understood by Jesus' audience, many of whom were familiar with carpentry and agriculture. The "speck" symbolizes minor faults or sins in others that we are quick to notice.

in your brother’s eye
The term "brother" here is significant. It is translated from the Greek word "adelphos," which can mean a literal sibling but is often used in the New Testament to refer to fellow believers or members of the Christian community. This indicates that Jesus is addressing relationships within the faith community. The "eye" is a metaphor for one's perspective or insight. In biblical times, the eye was often seen as the lamp of the body, a source of light and understanding. Thus, the phrase suggests an unwarranted focus on the minor faults of those close to us, particularly within the community of faith.

but fail to notice the beam
The word "fail" is translated from the Greek "katanoeō," meaning to consider, perceive, or understand fully. It implies a lack of self-awareness or introspection. The "beam" is from the Greek "dokos," which refers to a large piece of wood, like a log or a rafter. This stark contrast between the "speck" and the "beam" is hyperbolic, emphasizing the absurdity of being critical of others' minor faults while ignoring one's significant shortcomings. The imagery would have been striking to Jesus' audience, highlighting the hypocrisy of such behavior.

in your own eye?
The phrase "your own eye" brings the focus back to personal responsibility and self-examination. It challenges the listener to reflect on their own life and faults before judging others. In the cultural and historical context of Jesus' time, this teaching would have been countercultural, as it called for humility and self-awareness in a society where public honor and reputation were highly valued. The emphasis on "your own" underscores the personal nature of this introspection, urging believers to prioritize their spiritual growth and repentance over critiquing others.

(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" in Matthew 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.,' 16b, "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
Why
Τί (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 at
βλέπεις (blepeis)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 991: (primarily physical), I look, see, perceive, discern. A primary verb; to look at.

the
τὸ (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.

speck
κάρφος (karphos)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2595: A dry stalk, chip of wood, twig, splinter, chaff. From karpho; a dry twig or straw.

in
ἐν (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
σου (sou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

brother’s
ἀδελφοῦ (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.

but
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

fail
οὐ (ou)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

to notice
κατανοεῖς (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] beam
δοκὸν (dokon)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1385: A beam or spar of timber. From dechomai; a stick of timber.

in
ἐν (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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Matthew 7:2
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