Luke 6:39-45

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Luke 6:37-49

All these sayings of Christ we had before in Matthew; some of them in Matt. 7:1-29, others in other places. They were sayings that Christ often used; they needed only to be mentioned, it was easy to apply them. Grotius thinks that we need not be critical here in seeking for the coherence: they are golden sentences, like Solomon's proverbs or parables. Let us observe here, I. We ought to be very candid in our censures of others, because we need grains of allowance ourselves: ?Therefore judge... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Luke 6:39-46

6:39-46 Jesus spoke a parable to them: "Surely a blind man cannot lead a blind man? If he tries to do so will not both fall into the ditch? The disciple cannot advance beyond his teacher, but every disciple will be equipped as his teacher is. Why do you look at the speck of dust that is in your brother's eye and never notice the plank that is in your own eye? Or, how can you say to your brother,' Brother, let me take out the speck of dust that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not notice... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 6:39

And he spake a parable unto them ,.... The Vulgate Latin reads, "he spake also a parable unto them"; besides what he said; and the Arabic version renders it, "another similitude", parable, or proverb, distinct from the comparisons, allusions, and proverbial expressions in the preceding verses. Though it should be observed, that these words were not spoken at the same time, nor on the mount, as the foregoing were; but this, and what follow, are a collection of various expressions of Christ at... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 6:40

The disciple is not above his master ,.... Or "more excellent", as the Syriac, Arabic, and Persic versions render it; that is, in learning and knowledge; if the master is ignorant, the scholar will be so too; and thus it is with teachers, and their people under their care; if the leaders are blind and ignorant, those under their instructions will remain so likewise. These words are an illustration of the preceding parable, and are used to another purpose here than in Matthew 10:24 . See... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 6:41

And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye ,.... A lesser sin in comparison of others; for all sins are not alike, as the Stoics asserted: and though none are to be countenanced and indulged, yet some are not so severely to be animadverted upon as others, the nature, occasions, circumstances, and aggravations considered; for no man is perfect, or wholly free from sin; nor are the words preceding to be understood of such a perfection; for which reason perhaps these words,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 6:42

Either how canst thou say to thy brother ,.... Guilty of the lesser sin; brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye ; that is, suffer me to reprove thee for thy sin: the word "brother" is omitted in the Cambridge copy of Beza's, and in the Persic version; nor is it in Matthew; but in the Syriac and Ethiopic versions it is read, "my brother"; pretending great affection and sincerity: when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? that is, takest no... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 6:43

For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit ,.... The particle, "for" is left out in the Syriac, Arabic, Persic, and Ethiopic versions; and so it is in Beza's ancient copy: nor do these words stand in close connection with the preceding in Matthew's Gospel, though they may be very well considered as an illustration of them; for as that cannot be called a good tree, which brings forth bad fruit; so such men cannot be accounted good men, let them make ever so large pretensions to such a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 6:44

For every tree is known by its own fruit ,.... Good and bad preachers are known by their doctrines, the one being agreeable, the other disagreeable to the word of God; and good and bad men are known by their lives and conversations: the grace of God revealed to good men, and wrought in them, teaches them to live soberly, righteously, and godly; a holy life is the fruit of grace, and an evidence of it; and the wickedness that is in the heart of unregenerate men, and even the hypocrisy of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 6:45

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart ,.... This, because of its suitableness and agreement with what goes before, is placed by Luke here; though, according to Matthew, it was spoken at another time and place, unless it should be a repetition there; See Gill on Matthew 12:35 . for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh . The Vulgate Latin, Arabic, Ethiopic, Syriac, and Persic versions, leave out the word "his"; and the two latter read "lips", instead of "mouth";... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 6:39

Can the blind lead the blind? - This appears to have been a general proverb, and to signify that a man cannot teach what he does not understand. This is strictly true in spiritual matters. A man who is not illuminated from above is utterly incapable of judging concerning spiritual things, and wholly unfit to be a guide to others. Is it possible that a person who is enveloped with the thickest darkness should dare either to judge of the state of others, or attempt to lead them in that path of... read more

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