King James Version

What Does Luke 6:42 Mean?

Luke 6:42 in the King James Version says “Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beho... — study this verse from Luke chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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 6:42 · KJV


Context

40

The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master. that: or, shall be perfected as his master

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?

42

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.

43

For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

44

For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. grapes: Gr. a grape


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
How canst thou say to brother let me pull out mote in eye when behold not beam in own eye Hypocrite cast out first beam then see clearly to pull out mote. How pōs in what way. Canst dynasai are able. Say eipein pronounce. Pull out ekbalō remove. When seeing not ou blepōn while not seeing. Beam dokon log. Own eye. Hypocrite hypokrita actor. Cast ekbale remove. First prōton priority. Then tote afterwards. See clearly diablepseis see through. Pull out ekbalein remove. Mote karphos splinter. Sequence matters. Deal with own sin before addressing others. Otherwise hypocritical blind self-righteous. Reformed theology emphasizes confession repentance prerequisite to correcting others. Humility necessary for restoration ministry.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jesus calls hypocrite harsh term. Self-righteous judgment without self-examination is play-acting. Pharisees prime example. Paul warns those who judge do same things (Rom 2:1). David judged rich man taking lamb then Nathan revealed David was that man (2 Sam 12). Easy see others sin blind to own. Church discipline Galatians 6:1 restore gently considering yourself lest you be tempted. Matthew 18 church discipline process requires humility multiple steps. Medieval church harsh judgment inquisitions. Reformation emphasized all sinners justified by grace. Modern church must balance truth grace accountability restoration. Cannot ignore sin but must address humbly having dealt with own sin first.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why must believers remove their own log before addressing speck in brother eye?
  2. How does proper order of self-examination then addressing others prevent hypocrisy in church discipline?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 48 words
1 of 48

Either

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

πῶς2 of 48

how

G4459

an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much!

δύνασαι3 of 48

canst thou

G1410

to be able or possible

λέγειν4 of 48

say

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

τῷ5 of 48
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀδελφοῦ6 of 48

Brother

G80

a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)

σου7 of 48

thine

G4675

of thee, thy

ἀδελφοῦ8 of 48

Brother

G80

a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)

ἄφες9 of 48

let me

G863

to send forth, in various applications (as follow)

ἐκβαλεῖν10 of 48

cast out

G1544

to eject (literally or figuratively)

τὸ11 of 48
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κάρφος12 of 48

the mote

G2595

a dry twig or straw

τὸ13 of 48
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐν14 of 48

that is in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ15 of 48
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὀφθαλμῷ16 of 48

eye

G3788

the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the jealous side-glance)

σου17 of 48

thine

G4675

of thee, thy

αὐτὸς18 of 48

thyself

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

τὴν19 of 48
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐν20 of 48

that is in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ21 of 48
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὀφθαλμῷ22 of 48

eye

G3788

the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the jealous side-glance)

σου23 of 48

thine

G4675

of thee, thy

δοκὸν24 of 48

the beam

G1385

a stick of timber

οὐ25 of 48

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

βλέπων26 of 48

beholdest

G991

to look at (literally or figuratively)

ὑποκριτά27 of 48

Thou hypocrite

G5273

an actor under an assumed character (stage-player), i.e., (figuratively) a dissembler ("hypocrite"

ἐκβαλεῖν28 of 48

cast out

G1544

to eject (literally or figuratively)

πρῶτον29 of 48

first

G4412

firstly (in time, place, order, or importance)

τὴν30 of 48
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δοκὸν31 of 48

the beam

G1385

a stick of timber

ἐκ32 of 48

out of

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τοῦ33 of 48
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὀφθαλμῷ34 of 48

eye

G3788

the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the jealous side-glance)

σου35 of 48

thine

G4675

of thee, thy

καὶ36 of 48

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τότε37 of 48

then

G5119

the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)

διαβλέψεις38 of 48

shalt thou see clearly

G1227

to look through, i.e., recover full vision

ἐκβαλεῖν39 of 48

cast out

G1544

to eject (literally or figuratively)

τὸ40 of 48
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κάρφος41 of 48

the mote

G2595

a dry twig or straw

τὸ42 of 48
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐν43 of 48

that is in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ44 of 48
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὀφθαλμῷ45 of 48

eye

G3788

the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the jealous side-glance)

τοῦ46 of 48
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀδελφοῦ47 of 48

Brother

G80

a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)

σου48 of 48

thine

G4675

of thee, thy


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 6:42 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 6:42 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study