Matthew 7:3-4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 7:1-6

Our Saviour is here directing us how to conduct ourselves in reference to the faults of others; and his expressions seem intended as a reproof to the scribes and Pharisees, who were very rigid and severe, very magisterial and supercilious, in condemning all about them, as those commonly are, that are proud and conceited in justifying themselves. We have here, I. A caution against judging Matt. 7:1, 2. There are those whose office it is to judge-magistrates and ministers. Christ, though he made... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 7:1-5

7:1-5 Do not judge others, in order that you may not be judged; for with the standard of judgment with which you judge you will be judged; and with the measure you measure to others it will be measured to you. Why do you look for the speck of dust in your brother's eye, and never notice the plank that is in your own eye? or, how will you say to your brother: "Let me remove the speck of dust from your eye," and, see, there is a plank in your own eye? Hypocrite! first remove the plank from... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 7:1-5

There are three great reasons why no man should judge another. (i) We never know the whole facts or the whole person. Long ago Hillel the famous Rabbi said, "Do not judge a man until you yourself have come into his circumstances or situation." No man knows the strength of another man's temptations. The man with the placid and equable temperament knows nothing of the temptations of the man whose blood is afire and whose passions are on a hair-trigger. The man brought up in a good home and in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 7:3

And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye ?.... By "mote" is meant, any little bit of straw, or small splinter of wood, that flies into the eye, and does it damage, hinders its sight, and gives it pain; and designs little sins, comparatively speaking, such as youthful follies, human frailties, and infirmities, inadvertencies and imprudencies; which may be said to be light faults, in comparison of others: and though not to be vindicated, nor continued in, yet not to be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 7:4

Or how wilt thou say to thy brother ?.... This is not so much an interrogation, as an expression of admiration, at the front and impudence of such censorious remarkers, and rigid observators; who not content to point at the faults of others, take upon them to reprove them in a very magisterial way: and it is as if Christ had said, with what face canst thou say to thy friend or neighbour, let me pull out the mote out of thine eye ? give me leave to rebuke thee sharply for thy sin, as it... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 7:3

And why beholdest thou the mote - Καρφος might be translated the splinter: for splinter bears some analogy to beam, but mote does not. I should prefer this word (which has been adopted by some learned men) on the authority of Hesychius, who is a host in such matters; Καρφος, κεραια ξυλου λεπτη , Karphos is a thin piece of wood, a splinter. It often happens that the faults which we consider as of the first enormity in others are, to our own iniquities, as a chip is, when compared to a... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 7:4

Or how wilt thou say - That man is utterly unfit to show the way of life to others who is himself walking in the way of death. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 7:3

Verse 3 Matthew 7:3.And why seest thou the straw? He expressly touches upon a fault, which is usually found in hypocrites. While they are too quick-sighted in discerning the faults of others, and employ not only severe, but intentionally exaggerated, language in describing them, they throw their own sins behind their back, or are so ingenious in finding apologies for them, that they wish to be held excusable even in very gross offenses. Christ therefore reproves both evils: the excessive... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:1-3

Judging. In warning against hindrances to holiness, our Lord begins with judging; for in this young converts too often expend the zeal which is given them for better uses. The text admonishes us— I. THAT THERE IS A JUDGMENT TO COME . 1 . This life is under judicial rule. 2 . But the judgments of this life are not final. 3 . Revelation makes this clear. II. THAT DIVINE JUSTICE IS RETRIBUTIVE . 1 . In its principles. 2 . In its... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:1-5

The mote and the beam. As we read the Gospel narratives we cannot fail to be impressed with a singular mingling of severity and kindness in the teachings of our Lord. His standard is lofty and he admits of no compromise, yet he deals gently with the erring, and he urges a similar line of conduct on his disciples. He came not to judge the world, but to save it. He bids us not judge one another, while we are to be severe in judging ourselves. Let us consider the evil of censoriousness. I. ... read more

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