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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 7:4 How 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?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/7-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/40_Mat_07_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 7:4 - Do Not Judge" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="How 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?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/matthew/7-4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/matthew/7-4.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/matthew/">Matthew</a> > <a href="/matthew/7.htm">Chapter 7</a> > Verse 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/7-3.htm" title="Matthew 7:3">◄</a> Matthew 7:4 <a href="/matthew/7-5.htm" title="Matthew 7:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/matthew/7.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/matthew/7.htm">New International Version</a> How can you say to your brother, &#8216Let me take the speck out of your eye,&#8217 when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? <a href="/nlt/matthew/7.htm">New Living Translation</a> How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? <a href="/esv/matthew/7.htm">English Standard Version</a> Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? <a href="/bsb/matthew/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> How 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? <a href="/blb/matthew/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Or how shall you say to your brother, 'Permit that I might cast out the splinter from your eye,' and behold, the beam is in your eye? <a href="/kjv/matthew/7.htm">King James Bible</a> 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? <a href="/nkjv/matthew/7.htm">New King James Version</a> Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? <a href="/nasb_/matthew/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and look, the log is in your own eye? <a href="/nasb/matthew/7.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Or how can you say to your brother, &#8216Let me take the speck out of your eye,&#8217 and behold, the log is in your own eye? <a href="/nasb77/matthew/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? <a href="/lsb/matthew/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? <a href="/amp/matthew/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me get the speck out of your eye,’ when there is a log in your own eye? <a href="/csb/matthew/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the splinter out of your eye,’ and look, there’s a beam of wood in your own eye? <a href="/hcsb/matthew/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Or how can you say to your brother, Let me take the speck out of your eye,&#8217 and look, there&#8217s a log in your eye? <a href="/asv/matthew/7.htm">American Standard Version</a> Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me cast out the mote out of thine eye; and lo, the beam is in thine own eye? <a href="/cev/matthew/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> How can you say, "My friend, let me take the speck out of your eye," when you don't see the log in your own eye? <a href="/erv/matthew/7.htm">English Revised Version</a> Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me cast out the mote out of thine eye; and lo, the beam is in thine own eye? <a href="/gwt/matthew/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> How can you say to another believer, 'Let me take the piece of sawdust out of your eye,' when you have a beam in your own eye? <a href="/gnt/matthew/7.htm">Good News Translation</a> How dare you say to your brother, 'Please, let me take that speck out of your eye,' when you have a log in your own eye? <a href="/isv/matthew/7.htm">International Standard Version</a> Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when the beam is in your own eye? <a href="/msb/matthew/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> How 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? <a href="/net/matthew/7.htm">NET Bible</a> Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye,' while there is a beam in your own? <a href="/nheb/matthew/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Or how will you tell your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye;' and look, the log is in your own eye? <a href="/wbt/matthew/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thy eye; and behold, a beam is in thy own eye? <a href="/wey/matthew/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Or how say to your brother, 'Allow me to take the splinter out of your eye,' while the beam is in your own eye? <a href="/web/matthew/7.htm">World English Bible</a> Or how will you tell your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye,’ and behold, the beam is in your own eye? <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Or, how will you say to your brother, Permit [that] I may cast out the speck from your eye, and behold, the beam [is] in your own eye? <a href="/blb/matthew/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Or how shall you say to your brother, 'Permit that I might cast out the splinter from your eye,' and behold, the beam is in your eye? <a href="/ylt/matthew/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> or, how wilt thou say to thy brother, Suffer I may cast out the mote from thine eye, and lo, the beam is in thine own eye? <a href="/slt/matthew/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let go I will cast out the mote from thine eye: and behold a beam in thine eye.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Or how sayest thou to thy brother: Let me cast the mote out of thy eye; and behold a beam is in thy own eye? <a href="/cpdv/matthew/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the splinter from your eye,’ while, behold, a board is in your own eye? <a href="/nabre/matthew/7.htm">New American Bible</a> How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove that splinter from your eye,’ while the wooden beam is in your eye? <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while the log is in your own eye?<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Or how can you say to your brother, let me take out the splinter from your eye, and behold there is a cross beam in your own eye? <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/7.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> Or how do you say to your brother, 'Let me cast out the chip from your eye', and behold, a plank is in your eye?<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/7.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Or, how will you say to your brother, Let me pull out the splinter from your eye: and lo; a beam is in your own eye? <a href="/godbey/matthew/7.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>Or how will you say to your brother, Permit me, I will cast out the mote from your eye; and behold, there is a beam in your own eye?<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/7.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Suffer me to take the mote off from thine eye: and behold there is a beam in thine own eye? <a href="/mace/matthew/7.htm">Mace New Testament</a> with what assurance can you say, brother, let me take that mote out of your eye; when there is such an apparent beam in your own eye? <a href="/wey/matthew/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Or how say to your brother, 'Allow me to take the splinter out of your eye,' while the beam is in your own eye? <a href="/worrell/matthew/7.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>Or how will you say to your brother, 'Permit me to cast out the mote out of your eye;' and, behold, the beam is in your own eye?<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/7.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me take the chaff out of thine eye, and behold, <Fr>there is<FR> a beam in thine own eye?<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/7-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=1541" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/7.htm">Do Not Judge</a> …3Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to notice the beam in your own eye? 4<a href="/greek/2228.htm" title="2228: ē (Conj) -- Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than."></a> <a href="/greek/4459.htm" title="4459: pōs (Adv) -- Adverb from the base of pou; an interrogative particle of manner; in what way?; also as exclamation, how much!">How</a> <a href="/greek/2046.htm" title="2046: ereis (V-FIA-2S) -- Probably a fuller form of rheo; an alternate for epo in certain tenses; to utter, i.e. Speak or say.">can you say</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">to</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: sou (PPro-G2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">your</a> <a href="/greek/80.htm" title="80: adelphō (N-DMS) -- A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.">brother,</a> <a href="/greek/863.htm" title="863: Aphes (V-AMA-2S) -- From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications.">‘Let</a> <a href="/greek/1544.htm" title="1544: ekbalō (V-ASA-1S) -- To throw (cast, put) out; I banish; I bring forth, produce. From ek and ballo; to eject.">me take</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2595.htm" title="2595: karphos (N-ANS) -- A dry stalk, chip of wood, twig, splinter, chaff. From karpho; a dry twig or straw.">speck</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">out of</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: sou (PPro-G2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">your</a> <a href="/greek/3788.htm" title="3788: ophthalmou (N-GMS) -- The eye; fig: the mind's eye. From optanomai; the eye; by implication, vision; figuratively, envy.">eye,’</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">while</a> <a href="/greek/2400.htm" title="2400: idou (V-AMA-2S) -- See! Lo! Behold! Look! Second person singular imperative middle voice of eido; used as imperative lo!">there is still</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1385.htm" title="1385: dokos (N-NFS) -- A beam or spar of timber. From dechomai; a stick of timber.">a beam</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: sou (PPro-G2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">your</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">own</a> <a href="/greek/3788.htm" title="3788: ophthalmō (N-DMS) -- The eye; fig: the mind's eye. From optanomai; the eye; by implication, vision; figuratively, envy.">eye?</a> 5You 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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/luke/6-41.htm">Luke 6:41-42</a> 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. <a href="/romans/2-1.htm">Romans 2:1</a> 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. <a href="/james/4-11.htm">James 4:11-12</a> 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? <a href="/galatians/6-1.htm">Galatians 6:1</a> 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. <a href="/john/8-7.htm">John 8:7</a> 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.” <a href="/1_corinthians/11-31.htm">1 Corinthians 11:31</a> Now if we judged ourselves properly, we would not come under judgment. <a href="/proverbs/26-12.htm">Proverbs 26:12</a> Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. <a href="/proverbs/20-9.htm">Proverbs 20:9</a> Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin”? <a href="/proverbs/18-17.htm">Proverbs 18:17</a> The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him. <a href="/proverbs/16-2.htm">Proverbs 16:2</a> All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD. <a href="/proverbs/12-15.htm">Proverbs 12:15</a> The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel. <a href="/isaiah/65-5.htm">Isaiah 65:5</a> They say, ‘Keep to yourself; do not come near me, for I am holier than you!’ Such people are smoke in My nostrils, a fire that burns all day long. <a href="/ezekiel/16-52.htm">Ezekiel 16:52</a> So now you must bear your disgrace, since you have brought justification for your sisters. For they appear more righteous than you, because your sins were more vile than theirs. So you too must bear your shame and disgrace, since you have made your sisters appear righteous. <a href="/job/11-4.htm">Job 11:4</a> You have said, ‘My doctrine is sound, and I am pure in Your sight.’ <a href="/2_samuel/12-5.htm">2 Samuel 12:5-7</a> David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan: “As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this deserves to die! / Because he has done this thing and has shown no pity, he must pay for the lamb four times over.” / Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Or how will you say to your brother, Let me pull out the mote out of your eye; and, behold, a beam is in your own eye?<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/3-15.htm">Allow</a> <a href="/matthew/7-3.htm">Beam</a> <a href="/matthew/7-3.htm">Bit</a> <a href="/matthew/6-30.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/matthew/7-3.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/matthew/7-3.htm">Eye</a> <a href="/matthew/7-3.htm">Grain</a> <a href="/matthew/7-3.htm">Log</a> <a href="/matthew/7-3.htm">Mote</a> <a href="/matthew/7-3.htm">Plank</a> <a href="/micah/2-8.htm">Pull</a> <a href="/matthew/3-11.htm">Remove</a> <a href="/matthew/7-3.htm">Speck</a> <a href="/matthew/7-3.htm">Splinter</a> <a href="/matthew/5-40.htm">Suffer</a> <a href="/matthew/5-42.htm">Time</a> <a href="/matthew/4-9.htm">Wilt</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/8-21.htm">Allow</a> <a href="/matthew/7-5.htm">Beam</a> <a href="/matthew/7-5.htm">Bit</a> <a href="/matthew/7-5.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/matthew/7-5.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/matthew/7-5.htm">Eye</a> <a href="/matthew/7-5.htm">Grain</a> <a href="/matthew/7-5.htm">Log</a> <a href="/matthew/7-5.htm">Mote</a> <a href="/matthew/7-5.htm">Plank</a> <a href="/matthew/9-16.htm">Pull</a> <a href="/matthew/7-5.htm">Remove</a> <a href="/matthew/7-5.htm">Speck</a> <a href="/matthew/7-5.htm">Splinter</a> <a href="/matthew/8-21.htm">Suffer</a> <a href="/matthew/8-13.htm">Time</a> <a href="/matthew/7-5.htm">Wilt</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 7</div>1. <a href="/matthew/7-1.htm">Do Not Judge</a> 7. <a href="/matthew/7-7.htm">Ask, Seek, Knock</a> 13. <a href="/matthew/7-13.htm">Enter through the Narrow Gate</a> 15. <a href="/matthew/7-15.htm">A Tree and Its Fruit</a> 24. <a href="/matthew/7-24.htm">The Wise and the Foolish Builders</a> 28. <a href="/matthew/7-28.htm">Jesus ends his sermon, and the people are astonished.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/7.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/7.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>How can you say to your brother This phrase addresses the issue of hypocrisy in judgment. In the cultural context of Jesus' time, the term "brother" often referred to fellow Jews or members of the same community. The use of "brother" emphasizes the close relationship and the expectation of mutual respect and understanding. The question challenges the listener to consider their own faults before addressing those of others, aligning with the broader biblical principle of humility and self-examination (<a href="/galatians/6.htm">Galatians 6:1</a>).‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ The "speck" symbolizes minor faults or sins. In the historical context, the eye was often seen as a metaphor for perception and understanding. The act of removing a speck implies a desire to correct or help, but it also suggests a presumption of moral superiority. This reflects the broader biblical theme of the need for discernment and the dangers of self-righteousness (<a href="/romans/2.htm">Romans 2:1</a>).while there is still a beam in your own eye? The "beam" represents significant faults or sins, much larger than the "speck." This hyperbolic contrast highlights the absurdity of focusing on minor issues in others while ignoring one's own major shortcomings. The imagery of the beam and speck is a powerful illustration of the need for self-awareness and repentance. It echoes the teachings of the prophets who called for genuine repentance and humility (<a href="/isaiah/58-9.htm">Isaiah 58:9-10</a>). The concept of the beam also connects to the broader biblical narrative of sin and redemption, underscoring the necessity of addressing one's own sin through the grace offered by Jesus Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The speaker of this verse, delivering the Sermon on the Mount, a foundational teaching moment in His ministry. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_brother.htm">The Brother</a> Represents fellow believers or people in one's community, highlighting interpersonal relationships. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_speck_and_the_beam.htm">The Speck and the Beam</a> Metaphors used by Jesus to illustrate the hypocrisy of judging others while ignoring one's own faults. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_sermon_on_the_mount.htm">The Sermon on the Mount</a> The setting of this teaching, where Jesus addresses various aspects of righteous living. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_disciples_and_the_crowd.htm">The Disciples and the Crowd</a> The immediate audience of Jesus' teaching, representing both committed followers and the general public.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/s/self-examination_before_judgment.htm">Self-Examination Before Judgment</a> Jesus emphasizes the importance of addressing one's own sins and shortcomings before attempting to correct others. This requires humility and honesty. <a href="/topical/h/hypocrisy_in_judgment.htm">Hypocrisy in Judgment</a> The imagery of the speck and the beam highlights the absurdity of focusing on minor faults in others while ignoring significant issues in oneself. This calls for integrity and consistency in our lives. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_community.htm">The Role of Community</a> While self-examination is crucial, Jesus' teaching also implies the importance of community accountability. We are called to help each other grow, but with a spirit of gentleness and love. <a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_pride.htm">The Danger of Pride</a> Pride can blind us to our own faults and lead us to unjustly criticize others. Cultivating a spirit of humility is essential for healthy relationships and spiritual growth. <a href="/topical/p/practical_steps_for_self-reflection.htm">Practical Steps for Self-Reflection</a> Regular prayer, reading of Scripture, and seeking counsel from trusted believers can help us identify and address our own "beams."<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_7.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 7</a> <a href="/q/what_marks_the_right_time_for_events.htm">What does 'Take the Plank Out of Your Eye' mean?</a> <a href="/q/why_judge_others,_ignoring_your_faults.htm">Why do you judge others while ignoring your faults?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_pride_lead_to_downfall.htm">Who are you to judge others?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_decapolis_in_the_bible.htm">What does 'Judge not lest you be judged' mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/7.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) How wilt thou say--i.e., how wilt thou have the face to say.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 4. - Parallel passage: <a href="/luke/6-42.htm">Luke 6:42</a>a. Or. A second case is supposed. You may only see the mote or you may offer to remove it. How; with any conscience. Wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out? Let me (ἄφες,, ch. 3:15). There is nothing here of the rudeness that so often accompanies censeriousness. Pull out; Revised Version, cast out (ἐκβάλω). The thought is of the completeness, not the method, of the removal (cf. <a href="/matthew/9-38.htm">Matthew 9:38</a>). A beam; the beam (Revised Version); i.e. the beam already mentioned. <a href="/commentaries/matthew/7-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>How πῶς (pōs) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_4459.htm">Strong's 4459: </a> Adverb from the base of pou; an interrogative particle of manner; in what way?; also as exclamation, how much! can you say ἐρεῖς (ereis) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2046.htm">Strong's 2046: </a> Probably a fuller form of rheo; an alternate for epo in certain tenses; to utter, i.e. Speak or say. to τῷ (tō) Article - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. your σου (sou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. brother, ἀδελφῷ (adelphō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_80.htm">Strong's 80: </a> A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote. ‘Let Ἄφες (Aphes) Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_863.htm">Strong's 863: </a> From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications. me take ἐκβάλω (ekbalō) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1544.htm">Strong's 1544: </a> To throw (cast, put) out; I banish; I bring forth, produce. From ek and ballo; to eject. the τὸ (to) Article - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> 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 <a href="/greek/strongs_2595.htm">Strong's 2595: </a> A dry stalk, chip of wood, twig, splinter, chaff. From karpho; a dry twig or straw. out of ἐκ (ek) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. your σου (sou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. eye,’ ὀφθαλμοῦ (ophthalmou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3788.htm">Strong's 3788: </a> The eye; fig: the mind's eye. From optanomai; the eye; by implication, vision; figuratively, envy. while καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. [there is still] ἰδοὺ (idou) Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2400.htm">Strong's 2400: </a> See! Lo! Behold! Look! Second person singular imperative middle voice of eido; used as imperative lo! a beam δοκὸς (dokos) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1385.htm">Strong's 1385: </a> A beam or spar of timber. From dechomai; a stick of timber. in ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. your σοῦ (sou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. [own] τῷ (tō) Article - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. eye? ὀφθαλμῷ (ophthalmō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3788.htm">Strong's 3788: </a> The eye; fig: the mind's eye. From optanomai; the eye; by implication, vision; figuratively, envy. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/7-4.htm">Matthew 7:4 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/7-4.htm">Matthew 7:4 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/7-4.htm">Matthew 7:4 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/7-4.htm">Matthew 7:4 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/7-4.htm">Matthew 7:4 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/7-4.htm">Matthew 7:4 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/7-4.htm">Matthew 7:4 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/7-4.htm">Matthew 7:4 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/7-4.htm">Matthew 7:4 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/7-4.htm">Matthew 7:4 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/7-4.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 7:4 Or how will you tell your brother (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/7-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 7:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 7:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/7-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 7:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 7:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>