Charles Ellicott Commentary 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 (ASV)

Why do you see the mote...? — The Greek noun translated this way 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 almost verbally identical is found as a saying of Rabbi Tarphon. Similar illustrations have been found in the proverbs and satires of every country, all teaching that people are keen-sighted about the faults of others but blind 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 you do not consider — There is the same contrast between “seeing” and “considering” in Matthew 6:26 and 6:28. Our own faults require the careful scrutiny that we never give them, while we should be content to glance at the faults of others.