Matthew 7:3

7:3 Why ¹  do you see the speck ²  in your brother’s eye, but fail to see ³  the beam of wood ⁴  in your own?

Matthew 22:16

22:16 They sent to him their disciples along with the Herodians, ⁵  saying, “Teacher, we know that you are truthful, and teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. ⁶  You do not court anyone’s favor because you show no partiality. ⁷ 

¹ tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

² sn The term translated speck refers to a small piece of wood, chaff, or straw; see L&N 3.66.

³ tn Or “do not notice.”

⁴ sn The term beam of wood refers to a very big piece of wood, the main beam of a building, in contrast to the speck in the other’s eye (L&N 7.78).

⁵ sn The Herodians are mentioned in the NT only once in Matt (22:16 = Mark 12:13) and twice in Mark (3:6; 12:13; some mss also read “Herodians” instead of “Herod” in Mark 8:15). It is generally assumed that as a group the Herodians were Jewish supporters of the Herodian dynasty (or of Herod Antipas in particular). In every instance they are linked with the Pharisees. This probably reflects agreement regarding political objectives (nationalism as opposed to submission to the yoke of Roman oppression) rather than philosophy or religious beliefs.

⁶ sn Teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Very few comments are as deceitful as this one; they did not really believe this at all. The question of the Pharisees and Herodians was specifically designed to trap Jesus.

⁷ tn Grk “And it is not a concern to you about anyone because you do not see the face of men.”