3. And why beholdest thou the mote—"splinter," here very well rendered "mote," denoting any small fault. that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?—denoting the much greater fault which we overlook in ourselves. read more
The disciple’s relationship to brethren 7:1-5 (cf. Luke 6:37-42)Jesus first laid down a principle (Matthew 7:1). Then He justified this principle theologically (Matthew 7:2). Finally He provided an illustration (Matthew 7:3-5). read more
The thought here is similar to that in Matthew 6:14-15. The person who judges others very critically will experience a similarly rigorous examination from God (cf. Matthew 18:23-35). There is a word play in the verse in the Greek text that suggests Jesus may have been quoting a popular proverb. [Note: Carson, "Matthew," p. 184.] read more
The "speck" (Gr. karphos) could be a speck of any foreign matter. The "log" or "plank" (Gr. dokos) refers to a large piece of wood. Jesus again used hyperbole to stress the folly of criticizing someone else. This act reveals a much greater problem in the critic’s life, namely, a censorious spirit.Such a person is a hypocrite and his actions carry him away. He does not deceive others as much as he deceives himself. Other people may realize that his criticism is unjustifiable, but he does not. A... read more
The Sermon on the Mount (concluded)The connexion of thought in this chapter is less close than in the earlier part of the sermon, and the whole chapter bears the appearance of an appendix of miscellaneous practical maxims, many of which, however, may have really formed part of the sermon. The words about rash judgment, and about a tree being known by its fruit, as well as the striking conclusion, are found also in St. Luke’s sermon.1-5. On the habit of criticising others (Luke 6:37-42). St.... read more
(2) With what judgment ye judge. . . .—Here again truth takes the form of a seeming paradox. The unjust judgment of man does not bring upon us a divine judgment which is also unjust; but the severity which we have unjustly meted out to others, becomes, by a retributive law, the measure of that which is justly dealt out to us. read more
(3) Why beholdest thou the mote . . .?—The Greek noun so translated means a “stalk” or “twig” rather than one of the fine particles of dust floating in the sun to which we attach the word “mote.” The illustration seems to have been a familiar one among the Jews, and a proverb all but verbally identical is found as a saying of Rabbi Tarphon. Like illustrations have been found in the proverbs and satires of every country, all teaching that men are keen-sighted as to the faults of others, blind as... read more
Matthew 7:1 'Next week, it is still but the 10th of April, there comes a new nineteen' to the guillotine; 'Chaumette, Gobel, Hébert's widow, the widow of Camille: these also roll their fated journey; black Death devours them.... For Anaxagoras Chaumette, the sleek head now stripped of its bonnet rouge , what hope is there? Unless Death were "an eternal sleep"? Wretched Anaxagoras, God shall judge thee, not I. Carlyle, French Revolution, Vol. III. book vi. chap. iii. For myself, I no more... read more
Chapter 7The Gospel of the Kingdom("Sermon on the Mount") - Matthew 5:1-48; Matthew 6:1-34; Matthew 7:1-29IT may seem almost heresy to object to the time-honoured title "Sermon on the Mount"; yet, so small has the word "sermon" become, on account of its application to those productions of which there is material for a dozen in single sentences of this great discourse, that there is danger of belittling it by the use of a title which suggests even the remotest relationship to these ephemeral... read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Matthew 7:2
2. For with what judgments ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete—whatever standard of judgment ye apply to others. it shall be measured to you again—This proverbial maxim is used by our Lord in other connections—as in Mark 4:24, and with a slightly different application in Mark 4:24- : —as a great principle in the divine administration. Unkind judgment of others will be judicially returned upon ourselves, in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ.... read more