Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.

LUKE 6:42KJV
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Luke 6:42 (KJV)

What does Luke 6:42 mean?

Luke 6:42 says that a person who overlooks a serious fault of their own is poorly placed to correct someone else’s smaller fault. Jesus calls for the person to deal with their own fault first, so they can see clearly enough to help the other person.

Jesus pictures a tiny piece of debris in one person’s eye and a large wooden beam in the other’s. The striking difference in size makes the scene deliberately absurd: the person offering help has the greater obstacle to sight.

The Greek behind Luke 6:42

  • “mote” — κάρφος (karphos): The word refers to a small piece of dry material, such as a splinter or speck. It makes the contrast with the much larger beam especially sharp.
  • “beam” — δοκός (dokos): The word describes a large piece of timber. In an eye, such a beam is an exaggerated image of a serious obstruction.
  • “hypocrite” — ὑποκριτής (hypokritēs): The word can refer to someone who acts a part or puts on an appearance. Here Jesus addresses someone who offers to correct another while failing to notice their own greater problem.

Why Luke 6:42 matters

  • The order matters: Jesus says “first” remove the beam, “and then” the person can see clearly to remove the mote. The verse therefore leaves room for helping the other person after the first problem has been addressed.
  • The word “brother” makes the scene personal. Jesus describes one person speaking directly to another, not simply making a general observation about faults.
  • The image belongs with Jesus’s warning about judgment nearby. In Luke 6:37, Jesus speaks against judging and condemning; verse 42 shows how a person’s own blind spot can affect an attempt to correct someone else.

Where else these words appear

“clearly” Greek G1227 · used in 2 verses

  • Matthew 7:5 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.

“mote” Greek G2595 · used in 5 verses

  • Matthew 7:3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
  • Matthew 7:4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
  • Matthew 7:5 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.

“beam” Greek G1385 · used in 5 verses

  • Matthew 7:3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
  • Matthew 7:4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
  • Matthew 7:5 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.

“hypocrite” Greek G5273 · used in 20 verses

  • Matthew 6:2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
  • Matthew 22:18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
  • Matthew 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.