Matthew 7 · Verse 3

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?
Matthew 7:3, King James Version

Matthew 7:3 in other translations

BSBWhy do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to notice the beam in your own eye?
WEBWhy do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye?
ASVAnd why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
YLT‘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?
DARBYBut why lookest thou on the mote that is in the eye of thy brother, but observest not the beam that is in thine eye?
BBEAnd why do you take note of the grain of dust in your brother's eye, but take no note of the bit of wood which is in your eye?
WebsterAnd why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thy own eye?

What does Matthew 7:3 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
3. And why beholdest thou the mote--"splinter," here very well rendered "mote," denoting any small fault. that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?--denoting the much greater fault which we overlook in ourselves.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 3. And why beholdest thou the mote, etc. 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 beard on a head of barley or wheat. It is thus placed in opposition to the word beam.

Beam. This word here signifies a large piece of squared timber. The one is an exceedingly small object, the other a large one. The meaning is, that we are much more quick and acute to judge of small offences in others, than of much larger offences in ourselves. Even a very small object that should hinder the vision of another, we should discern much more quickly than a much larger one in our own sight. This was also a proverb in frequent use among the Jews, and the same sentiment was common among the Greeks, and deserves to be expressed in every language.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 3 And why beholdest thou the mote - Καρφος might be translated the splinter: for splinter bears some analogy to beam, but mote does not. I should prefer this word (which has been adopted by some learned men) on the authority of Hesychius, who is a host in such matters; Καρφος, κεραια ξυλου λεπτη, Karphos is a thin piece of wood, a splinter. It often happens that the faults which we consider as of the first enormity in others are, to our own iniquities, as a chip is, when compared to a large beam. On one side, self-love blinds us to ourselves; and, on the other, envy and malice give us piercing eyes in respect of others. When we shall have as much zeal to correct ourselves, as we have inclination to reprove and correct others, we shall know our own defects better than now we know those of our neighbor. There is a caution very similar to this of our Lord given by a heathen: - Cum tua praevideas oculis mala lippus inunctis: Cur in amicorum vitiis tam cernis acutum, Quam aut aquila, aut serpens Epidaurius? Hor. Sat. lib. 1. sat. 3. l. 25-27 "When you can so readily overlook your own wickedness, why are you more clear-sighted than the eagle or serpent of Epidaurus, in spying out the failings of your friends?" But the saying was very common among the Jews, as may be seen in Lightfoot.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Matthew 7:1-6

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. We must not make the worst of people. Here is a just reproof to those who quarrel with their brethren for small faults, while they allow themselves in greater ones. Some sins are as motes, while others are as beams; some as a gnat, others as a…

Read the full comment on Matthew 7:1-6 →

Matthew 7:3 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

τίtiWhyG5101
δὲdenowG1161
βλέπειςblepeisdo you look atG991
τὸtotheG3588
κάρφοςkarphossplinterG2595
τὸtothat [is]G3588
ἐνeninG1722
τῷtōtheG3588
ὀφθαλμῷophthalmōeyeG3788
τοῦtouof theG3588
ἀδελφοῦadelphoubrotherG80
σου,souof you,G4771
τὴνtēn<the>G3588
δὲdeandG1161
ἐνeninG1722
τῷtō<the>G3588
σῷsōyour [own]G4771
ὀφθαλμῷophthalmōeyeG3788
δοκὸνdokona beamG1385
οὐounotG3756
κατανοεῖς;katanoeisnotice?G2657

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Matthew 7:3

  • John 8:7-9

    So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

  • Galatians 6:1

    Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

  • 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? 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.

  • 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: And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.

  • 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.

  • Psalms 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? Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee. When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers. Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit. …

  • 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. And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bondmen and bondwomen unto you: but are there not with you, even with you, sins against the Lord your God?

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
why.
Lu 6:41,42; 18:11
but.
2Sa 12:5,6; 2Ch 28:9,10; Ps 50:16-21; Joh 8:7-9; Ga 6:1

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Matthew 7:2

    For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

  • 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?

  • Matthew 7:4

    Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

Read all of Matthew 7

Matthew 7:3 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y ¿por qué miras la mota que está en el ojo de tu hermano, y no echas de ver la viga que está en tu ojo?
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et pourquoi regardes-tu le fétu qui est dans l’œil de ton frère, et tu ne t’aperçois pas de la poutre qui est dans ton œil?
German
Elberfelder 1871		Was aber siehst du den Splitter, der in deines Bruders Auge ist, den Balken aber in deinem Auge nimmst du nicht wahr?
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Quid autem vides festucam in oculo fratris tui, et trabem in oculo tuo non vides?