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Verse Takeaways
1
The Mote and the Beam
Commentators explain that Jesus uses a powerful and memorable hyperbole. The 'mote' is a tiny speck of dust or a splinter, while the 'beam' is a massive wooden log. This stark contrast illustrates our human tendency to focus on and criticize small, insignificant faults in others while being completely blind to our own much larger, more obstructive sins.
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Matthew
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Commentaries
12
Albert Barnes
On Matthew 7:3
18th Century
Theologian
And why beholdest thou the mote, etc. A mote signifies any light substance, as dry chaff, or fine spires of grass or grain. It pr…
AT Robertson
On Matthew 7:3
The mote (το καρφος). Not dust, but a piece of dried wood or chaff, splinter (Weymouth, Moffatt), speck (Goodspeed), a very small …
Charles Spurgeon
On Matthew 7:3–5
19th Century
Preacher
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye! Or how wilt thou say to th…
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Expositor's Bible Commentary
On Matthew 7:3
The “speck of sawdust” could be any bit of foreign matter. The “plank” is obviously colorful hyperbole. Jesus does not say it is wrong to help a fe…
John Calvin
On Matthew 7:3
16th Century
Theologian
And why do you see the straw? He specifically addresses a fault commonly found in hypocrites. While they are overly perceptive in identify…
John Gill
On Matthew 7:3
17th Century
Pastor
And why do you behold the mote that is in your brother's
eye ?
&c.] By "mote" is mean…
Matthew Henry
On Matthew 7:1–6
17th Century
Minister
We must judge ourselves and judge our own acts, but not make our word a law for everyone. We must not judge rashly, nor pass judgment on our brothe…
Thomas Aquinas
On Matthew 7:1–14
13th Century
Philosopher
Christ fulfilled the Law regarding its precepts and its promises; now He fulfills the Law regarding its judgments. Firstly, therefore, He directs t…