John Calvin 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)

And why do you see the straw? He specifically addresses a fault commonly found in hypocrites. While they are overly perceptive in identifying the faults of others, and use not only severe but deliberately exaggerated language in describing them, they throw their own sins behind their backs, or are so clever in finding excuses for them, that they wish to be considered excusable even for very serious offenses. Christ therefore rebukes both evils: the excessive shrewdness, which stems from a lack of charity, when we scrutinize the faults of our brothers and sisters too closely, and the self-indulgence with which we defend and cling to our own sins.