Matthew 7:5 kjv

Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

Matthew 7:5 nkjv

Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

Matthew 7:5 niv

You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

Matthew 7:5 esv

You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

Matthew 7:5 nlt

Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye.

Matthew 7 verses

Matthew 7 5 Meaning

Matthew 7:5 teaches a fundamental principle of Kingdom ethics: spiritual self-reflection and humility must precede any attempt to correct or judge others. Jesus calls a person who critiques a minor flaw in another while harboring a significant defect within themselves a "hypocrite." The core message is that true discernment and effective help for a brother can only come after one has dealt with their own substantial sins and shortcomings.

Matthew 7 5 Context

Matthew 7:5 is situated within Jesus's monumental "Sermon on the Mount" (Matt 5-7), a discourse that lays out the ethics and character of those living in God's Kingdom. Specifically, it concludes Jesus's teaching on judging others, which begins in Matthew 7:1-2 with the admonition "Judge not, lest you be judged," and continues with the example of measuring instruments in Matthew 7:2. Verses 3-4 illustrate the absurdity of seeing a small flaw in another's eye while having a massive flaw in one's own. Verse 5 delivers the sharp rebuke of "hypocrite" and then offers the solution: remove your own major sin first.

This teaching stands in contrast to the judgmental and self-righteous tendencies observed among some religious leaders of the time, the scribes and Pharisees, whom Jesus frequently critiqued for their outward piety concealing inner corruption. The verse establishes the proper sequence and motive for dealing with sin, both personally and communally, for those who truly seek to live out Kingdom principles.

Matthew 7 5 Word analysis

• You hypocrite (σὺ ὑποκριτά, su hypokrita):
  • "You": Singular, directly addressing the individual. It's a sharp, personal accusation.
  • "Hypocrite": From Greek hypokrites, originally referred to an actor on a stage, one who wears a mask and plays a part. It signifies one who pretends to be what they are not, often presenting a false front of piety or righteousness while being corrupt within. This word is a frequent descriptor used by Jesus for religious leaders who focused on outward appearance over inward transformation (e.g., Matt 23). Its use here highlights the deceitful and self-deceptive nature of judging others without first examining oneself.
• first (πρῶτον, prōton):
  • Emphasizes sequence and priority. The act of self-examination and self-correction is absolutely foundational and must occur before attempting to correct someone else. It implies a necessary pre-condition.
• take the plank (ἔκβαλε τὴν δοκόν, ekbale tēn dokon):
  • "take... out": ekballō, meaning to cast out, throw out, bring forth. Implies a forceful, intentional removal of something obstructive.
  • "plank": dokos, a large beam or log used in construction, like a house rafter. This is a deliberate hyperbole (exaggeration for emphasis). The sheer size of a "plank" in one's eye, compared to a "speck," vividly illustrates the enormity of one's own sin or blindness in contrast to the perceived fault of another. It signifies a profound spiritual impediment.
• out of your own eye (ἐκ τοῦ ὀφθαλμοῦ σου, ek tou ophthalmou sou):
  • "eye": Symbol of perception, discernment, understanding, and one's spiritual insight. If one's own eye (spiritual discernment) is obstructed by a "plank," they cannot truly see or help others.
• and then (καὶ τότε, kai tote):
  • Indicates a temporal and logical consequence. Only after the initial step of self-cleansing can the subsequent step be taken.
• you will see clearly (διαβλέψεις, diablepseis):
  • Diablepseis from diablepō, meaning "to see through, to see clearly, to see perfectly." It's more than just seeing; it's about seeing with proper discernment and pure motivation. It implies regaining true spiritual vision and judgment.
• to remove the speck (τὸ κάρφος ἐκβαλεῖν, to karphos ekbalein):
  • "remove": ekbalein, again ekballō, to cast out. The intention is to genuinely help, not just to condemn.
  • "speck": karphos, a tiny, dry splinter, chip of wood, or dry stalk. It's an insignificant object in comparison to the "plank," emphasizing the disproportionate focus on minor flaws in others while major flaws in oneself are ignored.
• from your brother’s eye (ἐκ τοῦ ὀφθαλμοῦ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου, ek tou ophthalmou tou adelphou sou):
  • "brother": Refers to a fellow member of the community, a neighbor, or another believer. The act of helping a "brother" is framed as a legitimate act, but only possible after genuine self-purification.

Matthew 7 5 Bonus section

The hyperbole in Matthew 7:5 (a plank in the eye) is a common teaching device in ancient Jewish literature, making the instruction memorable and impactful. Jesus consistently used such imagery to drive home profound spiritual truths in an accessible way. This particular teaching emphasizes not only individual responsibility for sin but also the interconnectedness of the community, where members ideally should be able to help one another, but only after personal integrity is established. The ability to "see clearly" to remove the speck signifies true spiritual discernment, which comes from purity of heart and an honest confrontation with one's own sin. It also implies a divine enabling, as clearing such an internal obstruction requires God's work. The goal is to become a true aid to one's brother, not simply to avoid judging. The instruction guards against hypocritical judgmentalism that is motivated by self-righteousness rather than genuine love or spiritual concern.

Matthew 7 5 Commentary

Matthew 7:5 delivers one of Jesus's most poignant and impactful condemnations of spiritual hypocrisy, providing both a rebuke and a directive. The master teacher uses a vivid, exaggerated metaphor—a massive beam in one's own eye contrasted with a tiny splinter in another's—to underscore the absurdity and gravity of judgmentalism stemming from unaddressed personal sin. The central issue is not merely the act of judging, but the motive and qualification of the one judging.

Jesus labels the individual "hypocrite" because their outward concern for another's minor flaw is undermined by their inward blindness to their own glaring fault. This highlights that true righteousness is not external performance but internal purity. The presence of a "plank" signifies not just sin, but a fundamental obstruction to one's own spiritual vision, rendering one utterly unqualified to help clear the vision of others. A person cannot effectively remove a speck from another's eye if their own perception is completely distorted.

The verse is a call to profound self-examination. It doesn't forbid all forms of discerning observation or even loving, redemptive confrontation (as seen in passages like Gal 6:1). Rather, it sets the critical precondition for such actions. Only when one has diligently dealt with their own major sins, only when their spiritual vision has been truly cleared by repentance and reliance on God, can they then see clearly enough—with humility, compassion, and true discernment—to genuinely help a brother. The purpose of clearing one's own "plank" is "so that you will see clearly to remove the speck," indicating that the ultimate goal is to help, but in the right manner and at the right time.

Practical application:

• Before criticizing a peer's small mistake, reflect on any larger, unaddressed areas of weakness in your own life or character.
• When tempted to pass harsh judgment on someone else's spiritual walk, pause and examine your own motives and practices against the Scriptures.
• If you're a leader, realize that your integrity in addressing others' shortcomings depends entirely on your prior commitment to self-discipline and accountability in your own life.