Luke 6:41
New International Version
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?

New Living Translation
“And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?

English Standard Version
Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

Berean Standard Bible
Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye but fail to notice the beam in your own eye?

Berean Literal Bible
And why do you look at the splinter that is in your brother's eye and not notice the beam that is in the own eye?

King James Bible
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

New King James Version
And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye?

New American Standard Bible
Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

NASB 1995
“Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

NASB 1977
“And why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

Legacy Standard Bible
And why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

Amplified Bible
Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice or consider the log that is in your own eye?

Christian Standard Bible
“Why do you look at the splinter in your brother’s eye, but don’t notice the beam of wood in your own eye?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but don’t notice the log in your own eye?

American Standard Version
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

Contemporary English Version
You can see the speck in your friend's eye, but you don't notice the log in your own eye.

English Revised Version
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Why do you see the piece of sawdust in another believer's eye and not notice the wooden beam in your own eye?

Good News Translation
"Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but pay no attention to the log in your own eye?

International Standard Version
"Why do you see the speck in your brother's eye but fail to notice the beam in your own eye?

Majority Standard Bible
Why do you look at the speck in your brother?s eye but fail to notice the beam in your own eye?

NET Bible
Why do you see the speck in your brother's eye, but fail to see the beam of wood in your own?

New Heart English Bible
And why do you see the speck of chaff that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

Webster's Bible Translation
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thy own eye?

Weymouth New Testament
"And why look at the splinter in your brother's eye instead of giving careful attention to the beam in your own?

World English Bible
Why do you see the speck of chaff that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And why do you behold the speck that is in your brother’s eye, and do not consider the beam that [is] in your own eye?

Berean Literal Bible
And why do you look at the splinter that is in your brother's eye and not notice the beam that is in the own eye?

Young's Literal Translation
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?

Smith's Literal Translation
And why beholdest thou the dried straw in thy brother's eye, and perceivest not the beam in thine own eye?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And why seest thou the mote in thy brother's eye: but the beam that is in thy own eye thou considerest not?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And why do you see the straw that is in your brother’s eye, while the log that is in your own eye, you do not consider?

New American Bible
Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?

New Revised Standard Version
Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Why do you see the splinter in your brother’s eye, and do not see the beam in your own eye?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“But why do you observe a chip in the eye of your brother, but you do not see the plank that is in your eye?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And why do you look at the splinter that is in your brother's eye, but perceive not the beam that is in your own eye?

Godbey New Testament
But why do you see the mote which is in the eye of your brother, and do not recognize the beam which is in your own eye?

Haweis New Testament
But why beholdest thou the mote which is in thy brother?s eye, but observest not the beam which is in thine own eye?

Mace New Testament
How comes it, that you can see the mote in your brother's eye, and not see the beam that is in your own eye?

Weymouth New Testament
"And why look at the splinter in your brother's eye instead of giving careful attention to the beam in your own?

Worrell New Testament
"And why do you behold the mote that is in your brother's eye, but consider not the beam that is in your own eye?

Worsley New Testament
But why dost thou look at the chaff in thy brother's eye, and takest no notice of the beam that is in thine own?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Do Not Judge
40A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher. 41 Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to notice the beam in your own eye? 42How 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.…

Cross References
Matthew 7:3-5
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 to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while there is still a 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.

Romans 2:1
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.

James 4:11-12
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?

Galatians 6:1
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.

Proverbs 26:12
Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Proverbs 20:9
Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin”?

John 8:7
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.”

1 Corinthians 11:31
Now if we judged ourselves properly, we would not come under judgment.

Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Proverbs 16:2
All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.

1 John 1:8-9
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. / If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Matthew 23:24
You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.

Romans 14:10-13
Why, then, do you judge your brother? Or why do you belittle your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. / It is written: “As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow before Me; every tongue will confess to God.” / So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. ...

2 Samuel 12:1-7
Then the LORD sent Nathan to David, and when he arrived, he said, “There were two men in a certain city, one rich and the other poor. / The rich man had a great number of sheep and cattle, / but the poor man had nothing except one small ewe lamb that he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food and drank from his cup; it slept in his arms and was like a daughter to him. ...

Job 11:4-6
You have said, ‘My doctrine is sound, and I am pure in Your sight.’ / But if only God would speak and open His lips against you, / and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. Know then that God exacts from you less than your iniquity deserves.


Treasury of Scripture

And why behold you the mote that is in your brother's eye, but perceive not the beam that is in your own eye?

why.

Matthew 7:3-5
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? …

Romans 2:1,21-24
Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things…

but.

2 Samuel 12:5-7
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: …

2 Samuel 20:9,10,20,21
And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him…

1 Kings 2:32
And the LORD shall return his blood upon his own head, who fell upon two men more righteous and better than he, and slew them with the sword, my father David not knowing thereof, to wit, Abner the son of Ner, captain of the host of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, captain of the host of Judah.

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Luke 6
1. Jesus reproves the Pharisees;
12. chooses apostles;
17. heals the diseased;
20. preaches to his disciples before the people: the beattitudes;
27. Love your Enemy
37. Do not Judge
43. A Tree and Its Fruit
46. The House on the Rock














Why do you look
The Greek word for "look" is "blepō," which means to see, perceive, or regard. This word implies an intentional act of focusing on something. In the context of this verse, it suggests a critical or judgmental observation. Historically, this reflects the human tendency to scrutinize others while ignoring one's own faults. Jesus challenges His listeners to self-reflect rather than judge others, emphasizing humility and self-awareness.

the speck
The term "speck" comes from the Greek "karphos," referring to a small particle or splinter. This imagery is powerful, as it represents minor faults or sins in others. In a historical context, this would resonate with Jesus' audience, who were familiar with carpentry and the presence of small wood particles. Theologically, it underscores the tendency to magnify others' minor flaws while minimizing one's own significant issues.

in your brother’s eye
"Brother" in Greek is "adelphos," which can mean a literal sibling or a fellow believer. This term emphasizes the familial and communal relationships among believers. The "eye" symbolizes perception and insight. Thus, the phrase suggests a close relationship where one might feel justified in pointing out faults. However, Jesus calls for a loving and supportive approach, recognizing the shared human condition of imperfection.

but fail to notice
The phrase "fail to notice" is derived from the Greek "katanoeō," meaning to consider or understand fully. This implies a lack of awareness or deliberate ignorance. Historically, this reflects the human inclination to overlook personal faults. Jesus uses this to highlight the importance of introspection and the need to address one's own shortcomings before criticizing others.

the beam
The word "beam" is translated from the Greek "dokos," which refers to a large piece of wood, like a log or plank. This stark contrast to the "speck" illustrates the magnitude of one's own faults compared to those of others. In a historical and cultural context, this hyperbolic imagery would have been striking to Jesus' audience, driving home the message of self-examination and repentance.

in your own eye
The phrase "in your own eye" personalizes the message, urging individuals to focus on their own spiritual condition. The "eye" again symbolizes perception, suggesting that one's ability to see clearly is hindered by personal sin. This calls for humility and the recognition of one's need for God's grace. In a scriptural context, it aligns with the broader biblical theme of repentance and transformation through Christ.

(41) And why beholdest thou . .?--See Notes on Matthew 7:4. The two reports of the proverb agree almost verbally, as if its repetition had impressed it deeply on the minds of the hearers.

Verse 41. - And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? The thought-leaders of the day were in good truth hypocrites, proud, avaricious, in many cases self-indulgent, bigoted, and selfish; they were utterly unfit to be the moral teachers of the people - a position they had arrogated to themselves. The homely but well-known Jewish proverb of the mote and the beam picturesquely put before his listeners the position as it appeared to the Lord. The very defects among the people which the religious teachers professed to lecture upon and to discuss, disfigured and marred their own lives. They were - these priests and scribes and Pharisees - worse than self deceivers; they were religious hypocrites. The now famous illustration of the mote and the beam is, as has been said, purely Jewish, and was no doubt a familiar one to the people. It is found in the Talmud (treatise 'Bava Bathra' fol. 15. 2). Farrar quotes from Chaucer -

"He can wel in myn eye see a stalke,
But in his owne he can nought see a balke."
The word "mote" translates the Greek κάρφος, a chip. In Dutch mot is the dust of wood. In Spanish recta is the flue on cloth.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Why
Τί (Ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

do you look at
βλέπεις (blepeis)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 991: (primarily physical), I look, see, perceive, discern. A primary verb; to look at.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: 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
Strong's 2595: A dry stalk, chip of wood, twig, splinter, chaff. From karpho; a dry twig or straw.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

your
σου (sou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

brother’s
ἀδελφοῦ (adelphou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 80: A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.

eye,
ὀφθαλμῷ (ophthalmō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3788: The eye; fig: the mind's eye. From optanomai; the eye; by implication, vision; figuratively, envy.

but
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

fail
οὐ (ou)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

to notice
κατανοεῖς (katanoeis)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2657: To take note of, perceive, consider carefully, discern, detect, make account of. From kata and noieo; to observe fully.

[the] beam
δοκὸν (dokon)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1385: A beam or spar of timber. From dechomai; a stick of timber.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

[your]
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

own
ἰδίῳ (idiō)
Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2398: Pertaining to self, i.e. One's own; by implication, private or separate.

eye?
ὀφθαλμῷ (ophthalmō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3788: The eye; fig: the mind's eye. From optanomai; the eye; by implication, vision; figuratively, envy.


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Luke 6:40
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