The Mote and the Beam
Encyclopedia
The Mote and the Beam is a New Testament
saying in Matthew 7:1-5 as part of the Sermon on the Mount
. The discourse is fairly brief, and begins by condemning those who would judge others, arguing that they too would be judged. The Sermon on the Plain
has a similar passage in Luke 6:37-42.
The first two verses use plural "ye
" and "you", and the next three verses use the singular "thou
", "thy" and "thine" to the individual. Luke 6:41 also uses "thou" after using "ye" in verse 37.
and censoriousness. The analogy used is of a small object in another's eye as compared with a large beam
of wood in one's own. The original Greek word translated as "mote" (κάρφος karphos) meant "any small dry body." A proverb
of this sort was familiar to the Jews and appears in numerous other cultures too. For example, the poet Robert Burns
famously wrote:
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
saying in Matthew 7:1-5 as part of the Sermon on the Mount
Sermon on the Mount
The Sermon on the Mount is a collection of sayings and teachings of Jesus, which emphasizes his moral teaching found in the Gospel of Matthew...
. The discourse is fairly brief, and begins by condemning those who would judge others, arguing that they too would be judged. The Sermon on the Plain
Sermon on the Plain
In Christianity, the Sermon on the Plain refers to a set of teachings by Jesus in the Gospel of Luke, in 6:17-49.This sermon may be compared to the longer Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew....
has a similar passage in Luke 6:37-42.
Narrative
The New Testament text is as follows:The first two verses use plural "ye
Ye (pronoun)
Ye was the second-person, plural, personal pronoun , spelled in Old English as "ge". In Middle English and Early Modern English, it was used to direct an equal or superior person...
" and "you", and the next three verses use the singular "thou
Thou
The word thou is a second person singular pronoun in English. It is now largely archaic, having been replaced in almost all contexts by you. It is used in parts of Northern England and by Scots. Thou is the nominative form; the oblique/objective form is thee , and the possessive is thy or thine...
", "thy" and "thine" to the individual. Luke 6:41 also uses "thou" after using "ye" in verse 37.
Interpretation
The moral lesson is to avoid hypocrisyHypocrisy
Hypocrisy is the state of pretending to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that one does not actually have. Hypocrisy involves the deception of others and is thus a kind of lie....
and censoriousness. The analogy used is of a small object in another's eye as compared with a large beam
Beam (structure)
A beam is a horizontal structural element that is capable of withstanding load primarily by resisting bending. The bending force induced into the material of the beam as a result of the external loads, own weight, span and external reactions to these loads is called a bending moment.- Overview...
of wood in one's own. The original Greek word translated as "mote" (κάρφος karphos) meant "any small dry body." A proverb
Proverb
A proverb is a simple and concrete saying popularly known and repeated, which expresses a truth, based on common sense or the practical experience of humanity. They are often metaphorical. A proverb that describes a basic rule of conduct may also be known as a maxim...
of this sort was familiar to the Jews and appears in numerous other cultures too. For example, the poet Robert Burns
Robert Burns
Robert Burns was a Scottish poet and a lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland, and is celebrated worldwide...
famously wrote:
Oh, wad some Power the giftie gie us,
To see ourselves as others see us!