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?
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus uses this sharp, almost comical image of a "log" in your own eye to highlight how profoundly blind we are to our own faults compared to how acutely we spot others' minor flaws. He's not saying we shouldn't notice sin, but that our self-deception about our own massive issues makes us utterly unqualified to judge anyone else.
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?
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is challenging the hypocrisy of those who are quick to point out the flaws in others while completely overlooking their own significant failings. This comes right after he's spoken about not judging others and the importance of forgiveness, setting up a direct contrast between a critical spirit and a humble, self-aware heart.
Ever catch yourself pointing out tiny flaws in others while ignoring massive problems in your own life? Jesus uses a striking image to highlight this common human tendency.
Jesus calls out the absurdity of focusing on a tiny speck (a small piece of dust or wood) in someone else's eye while completely missing a massive log (a heavy wooden beam) in your own.
The Absurdity of Hypocrisy
This isn't just about noticing faults; it's about the disproportionate focus. We can become hyper-aware of minor issues in others, dissecting them with microscopic detail, while remaining utterly oblivious to our own significant failings. This reveals a deep-seated hypocrisy – judging others severely for things we ourselves are guilty of, often to a much greater degree.
Jesus doesn't just point out our blindness; He gives us the prescription for sight. It's a radical call to put our own house in order first.
The saying isn't just about a passive observation of our own faults. Jesus' follow-up instruction, often found in parallel accounts, is crucial: "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).
The Path to True Helpfulness
This means genuine self-reflection and repentance must precede any attempt to correct or guide a brother or sister. When we deal with our own significant issues, our vision is cleared. Only then can we approach others with genuine love, humility, and the ability to offer truly helpful, discerning correction, rather than judgmental criticism.
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Understand the original words
karphos · Greek Noun
A small fragment or particle of dust, representing a minor fault or sin in another person. Used metaphorically to highlight the human tendency to focus on the trivial sins of others while ignoring one's own.
dokos · Greek Noun
A large beam or heavy timber used in construction. Used metaphorically as an overstatement to represent a significant, glaring sin or character flaw of the observer that renders them blind to the smaller faults of others.
This passage is the parallel account of Jesus' teaching, directly comparing the 'speck' and 'log' and emphasizing the hypocrisy of pointing out others' flaws while ignoring one's own.
Romans 2:1Paul echoes this sentiment, warning against judging others when we ourselves are guilty of the same things, highlighting that God's judgment is righteous and impartial.
Galatians 6:1This verse calls believers to restore gently those caught in sin, but specifically to do so 'in a spirit of gentleness' and with self-awareness, lest we also be tempted.
1 John 1:8This passage speaks to the dangerous self-deception of claiming to be without sin, directly contrasting with the humility needed to see our own 'logs' before addressing others' 'specks'.
barnesLuke 6:41: "And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?"
See the notes at Matthew 7:3-5 .
calvinLuke 6:37-42: "Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:"
- Judge not, that you may not be judged. 2. For with what judgment you judge you shall be judged, and with what measure you measure, it shall be measured to you again. 3. And why seest thou the straw, which is in thy brother's eye, and perceivest not the beam which is in thine eye? 4. Or how shall thou say to thy brother, Allow me to pull the straw out of thine…
Jesus uses this sharp, almost comical image of a "log" in your own eye to highlight how profoundly blind we are to our own faults compared to how acutely we spot others' minor flaws. He's not saying we shouldn't notice sin, but that our self-deception about our own massive issues makes us utterly unqualified to judge anyone else.
Jesus is challenging the hypocrisy of those who are quick to point out the flaws in others while completely overlooking their own significant failings. This comes right after he's spoken about not judging others and the importance of forgiveness, setting up a direct contrast between a critical spirit and a humble, self-aware heart.
Jesus is challenging the hypocrisy of those who are quick to point out the flaws in others while completely overlooking their own significant failings. This comes right after he's spoken about not judging others and the importance of forgiveness, setting up a direct contrast between a critical spirit and a humble, self-aware heart.
"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?" — Jesus uses this sharp, almost comical image of a "log" in your own eye to highlight how profoundly blind we are to our own faults compared to how acutely we spot others' minor flaws. He's not saying…
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Last reviewed October 2026