LUKE 6:41 Parallel Verse View

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Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) “How come you notice the speck in someone else’s eye, yet don’t even notice the log that’s in your own eye?

Key: khaki:verbs, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object, red:negative.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT And why do you look at the speck of wood that is in the eye of your brother, but you do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

UST None of you should be concerned about the small faults of another person. You should be concerned about your own serious faults. Otherwise, that would be like noticing a speck in the eye of that person while not noticing a huge wooden plank in your own eye.

BLB And why do you look at the splinter that is in your brother's eye and not notice the beam that is in the own eye?

AICNT “[But][fn] Why do you see the speck in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log[fn] in your own eye?

6:41, But: Absent from some manuscripts. 𝔓75

6:41-43, log: Or beam

OEB And why do you look at the speck of sawdust in someone’s eye, while you pay no attention at all to the plank of wood in your own?

WEBBE Why do you see the speck of chaff that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye?

WMBB (Same as above)

NET Why do you see the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to see the beam of wood in your own?

LSV And why do you behold the speck that is in your brother’s eye, and do not consider the beam that [is] in your own eye?

FBV Why are you so worried about the speck that's in your brother's eye when you don't even notice the plank that's in your own eye?

TCNT Why do yoʋ see the speck in yoʋr brother's eye, but do not consider the beam in yoʋr own eye?

T4T ◄Why do you notice someone else’s small faults?/None of you should be concerned about someone else’s small faults [MET, RHQ].► That would be like noticing a speck in that person’s eye. But you should be concerned about your own big faults. They are like planks in your own eye, which you do not notice.

LEB And why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the beam of wood that is in your own eye?

BBE And why do you take note of the grain of dust in your brother's eye, but take no note of the bit of wood which is in your eye?

Moff Why do you note the splinter in your brother's eye and fail to see the plank in your own eye?

Wymth "And why look at the splinter in your brother's eye instead of giving careful attention to the beam in your own?

ASV And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

DRA And why seest thou the mote in thy brother’s eye: but the beam that is in thy own eye thou considerest not?

YLT 'And why dost thou behold the mote that is in thy brother's eye, and the beam that [is] in thine own eye dost not consider?

Drby But why lookest thou on the mote which is in the eye of thy brother, but perceivest not the beam which is in thine own eye?

RV And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
(And why beholdest thou/you the mote that is in thy/your brother’s eye, but considerest/consider not the beam that is in thine/your own eye? )

SLT And why beholdest thou the dried straw in thy brother’s eye, and perceivest not the beam in thine own eye?

Wbstr And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thy own eye?

KJB-1769 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
(And why beholdest thou/you the mote that is in thy/your brother’s eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine/your own eye? )

KJB-1611 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brothers eye, but perceiuest not the beame that is in thine owne eye?
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from punctuation)

Bshps And why seest thou a moate in thy brothers eye: but considerest not the beame that is in thyne owne eye?
(And why seest/see thou/you a moate in thy/your brothers eye: but considerest/consider not the beam that is in thine/your own eye?)

Gnva And why seest thou a mote in thy brothers eye, and considerest not the beame that is in thine owne eye?
(And why seest/see thou/you a mote in thy/your brothers eye, and considerest/consider not the beam that is in thine/your own eye? )

Cvdl But why seist thou a moote i thy brothers eye, and considrest not the beame, that is in thine awne eye?
(But why sayest/say thou/you a moote 1 thy/your brothers eye, and considrest not the beam, that is in thine/your own eye?)

TNT Why seyst thou a moote in thy brothers eye and considerest not the beame that is in thyne awne eye?
(Why seest/see thou/you a moote in thy/your brothers eye and considerest/consider not the beam that is in thine/your own eye? )

Wycl And what seest thou in thi brotheris iye a moot, but thou biholdist not a beem, that is in thin owne iye?
(And what seest/see thou/you in thy/your brotheris eye a moot, but thou/you behold not a beem, that is in thin own iye?)

Luth Was siehest du aber einen Splitter in deines Bruders Auge, und des Balkens in deinem Auge wirst du nicht gewahr?
(What see/look you(sg) but a Splitter in your(s) brothers eye, and the Balkens in your eye will you(sg) not aware?)

ClVg Quid autem vides festucam in oculo fratris tui, trabem autem, quæ in oculo tuo est, non consideras?[fn]
(What however sees festucam in/into/on with_an_eye brother's yours(sg), trabem however, which in/into/on with_an_eye your it_is, not/no consideras? )

6.41 Quid autem vides, etc. Vere peccans peccantem castigare non valet, quia qui superbia, vel odio, vel alio vitio præventi, levia hæc vel nulla judicantes, graviter increpant illos quos a statu mentis vident, vel ira vel aliquo levi peccato perturbatos, hi tales amant magis vituperare et condemnare, quam corrigere et emendare. Non consideras. Apertus oculus male videt, scilicet jactantiam sui, dum aliis vult mederi, sed cæcus se non valet intueri dum in hoc deterius cadit.

6.41 What however sees, etc. Vere peccans peccantem castigare not/no valet, because who/which pride, or hate, or another spoil/with_fault beforeventi, levia these_things or none judging, seriouster increpant those which from state of_the_mind they_see, or anger/rage or somewhere levi sin perturbatos, these tales amant more vituperare and condemnare, how to_correct and emendare. Not/No consideras. Apertus the_eye male he_sees, namely they_boastiam self, while to_others wants mederi, but blind himself not/no valet intueri while in/into/on this worse falls.

UGNT τί δὲ βλέπεις τὸ κάρφος τὸ ἐν τῷ ὀφθαλμῷ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου, τὴν δὲ δοκὸν τὴν ἐν τῷ ἰδίῳ ὀφθαλμῷ οὐ κατανοεῖς?
(ti de blepeis to karfos to en tōi ofthalmōi tou adelfou sou, taʸn de dokon taʸn en tōi idiōi ofthalmōi ou katanoeis?)

SBL-GNT τί δὲ βλέπεις τὸ κάρφος τὸ ἐν τῷ ὀφθαλμῷ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου, τὴν δὲ δοκὸν τὴν ἐν τῷ ἰδίῳ ὀφθαλμῷ οὐ κατανοεῖς;
(ti de blepeis to karfos to en tōi ofthalmōi tou adelfou sou, taʸn de dokon taʸn en tōi idiōi ofthalmōi ou katanoeis;)

RP-GNT Τί δὲ βλέπεις τὸ κάρφος τὸ ἐν τῷ ὀφθαλμῷ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου, τὴν δὲ δοκὸν τὴν ἐν τῷ ἰδίῳ ὀφθαλμῷ οὐ κατανοεῖς;
(Ti de blepeis to karfos to en tōi ofthalmōi tou adelfou sou, taʸn de dokon taʸn en tōi idiōi ofthalmōi ou katanoeis;)

TC-GNT Τί δὲ βλέπεις τὸ κάρφος τὸ ἐν τῷ ὀφθαλμῷ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου, τὴν δὲ δοκὸν τὴν ἐν τῷ ἰδίῳ ὀφθαλμῷ οὐ κατανοεῖς;
(Ti de blepeis to karfos to en tōi ofthalmōi tou adelfou sou, taʸn de dokon taʸn en tōi idiōi ofthalmōi ou katanoeis; )

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 6:17–49: Jesus taught people how to be his disciples

In this section, Jesus spoke about how his true disciples should think and act. He spoke about this immediately after he had chosen twelve of his disciples to be his apostles. Jesus said many things about this topic in his speech, so that people have often called this particular speech of Jesus a “sermon.”

In this sermon, Jesus asked those who heard him to be different from other people in the world and to think differently. He encouraged his disciples to obey his authority and live as people of God. They should be generous and merciful even to their enemies, as God is generous to everyone. Jesus assured his disciples that they would be blessed and rewarded for their obedience and for suffering for him. He concluded his speech by telling parables to motivate his disciples to obey his teaching.

Another possible heading for this section is:

The Sermon on the Plain (NET)

Some English versions divide 6:17–49 into several sections. Here is one way that might be done:

6:17–26 Blessings and woes

6:27–36 Love your enemies

6:37–42 Do not judge

6:43–45 A tree and its fruit

6:46–49 Two foundations

The sermon in 6:17–49 is similar to the sermon commonly referred to as “The Sermon on the Mount” in Matthew chapters 5–7.

Paragraph 6:41–42

In this paragraph, Jesus continued to challenge his disciples to be good leaders. He stated that a good leader examines his life to makes sure that he obeys all of Jesus’ teachings. The disciple must change any of his attitudes and actions that do not conform to Jesus’ teaching. Only then can the disciple lead others to examine and change their lives.

Jesus used rhetorical questions to emphasize his teaching. He also used a metaphor and exaggeration. The very small piece of wood and the very large beam represent a person’s faults or sins that he should abandon. The exaggerated contrast between something very small and something very large emphasizes what Jesus was saying. It is wrong to condemn a friend for his faults if you have not critically examined and changed your own behavior.

In 6:41–42 Jesus used the singular form of “you.” However, in these verses he gave a general teaching that applies to any disciple. Use appropriate forms in your language for this. You may want to refer to the note on 6:27b–28, which gives suggestions for forms to use for general commands.

6:41a–b

Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to notice the beam in your own eye?: This is a rhetorical question. Jesus used this rhetorical question to rebuke his disciples. He rebuked them for seeing a small fault in another person’s life and not seeing a large fault in their own life. Jesus was emphasizing that a person’s sins blind him so that he cannot help others. A person who does not examine his own life will be like a blind guide.

Some ways to translate this rebuke are:

As a rhetorical question. For example:
Why do you notice the little piece of dust in your friend’s eye, but you don’t notice the big piece of wood in your own eye? (NCV)
As a statement or an exclamation. For example:
You can see the speck in your friend’s eye. But you don’t notice the log in your own eye. (CEV)
You should not pay attention to the dust in your brother’s eye while ignoring the plank of wood in your own eye!

Translate this rebuke in a way that is natural in your language.

6:41a

Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye,

¶ “Why do you^(sing) see the little piece of sawdust in your^(sing) brother’s eye,
¶ “You can see the speck in your friend’s eye. (CEV)
¶ “You notice the small faults/sins that your brother does/has, though they are like a speck of sawdust in his eye. You are wrong to look at those

Why do you look at: The Greek word that the BSB translates as look at is literally “see.” In this context, this word implies that the person does more than “see” the speck of sawdust. He also criticizes him for it.

the speck in your brother’s eye: The Greek word that the BSB translates as speck refers to a very small bit of wood, straw, or dust. Some other ways to translate this are:

piece of sawdust (GW)

little piece of dust (NCV)

Jesus was using the speck as a metaphor to refer to a small fault or sin of another person. If the meaning of the metaphor is not clear to people in your culture, you could say:

the small faults/sins that your brother does/has, which are like a speck of sawdust in his eye

in your brother’s eye: The Greek word that the BSB translates literally as brother’s refers in this context to anyone from the same religious community. It does not refer only to a blood relative. You could use the word “brother” if it can be used in a general sense. Or you may have a general word for everyone from your same community or clan. If not, some other ways to translate this could be:

your friend’s eye (NLT)

your companion’s/neighbor’s eye

someone else’s eye

6:41b

but fail to notice the beam in your own eye?

but you do not notice/recognize the wooden beam in your own eye?
But you don’t notice the log in your own eye. (CEV)
and yet ignore the big faults/sins that you do/have which are like a plank in your own eye!

but fail to notice: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as fail to notice means “not consider carefully.” It includes the idea of “you do not see and so you are not aware of.” Some other ways to translate this are:

don’t notice (CEV)

fail to notice (JBP)

the beam in your own eye: The Greek word that the BSB translates as beam refers to a large, heavy piece of wood. It is usually used as a beam in building a house. Some other ways to translate this word are:

log (GNT)

plank (NIV)

big piece of wood (NCV)

Jesus was using the beam as a metaphor to refer to a large fault or sin that a disciple had done. If the meaning of the metaphor is not clear to people in your culture, you could say:

the big faults/sins that you do/have, which are like a beam in your own eye

It is, of course, impossible to have a beam in your eye. Jesus used the exaggerated contrast between something small and something large to emphasize what he was teaching. Jesus was teaching that it is wrong and hypocritical to condemn a friend for his faults if you have not examined and changed your own behavior.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion

τί & βλέπεις τὸ κάρφος τὸ ἐν τῷ ὀφθαλμῷ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου, τὴν δὲ δοκὸν τὴν ἐν τῷ ἰδίῳ ὀφθαλμῷ οὐ κατανοεῖς?

why & ˱you˲_˓are˒_looking (Some words not found in SR-GNT: τί Δέ βλέπεις τό κάρφος τό ἐν τῷ ὀφθαλμῷ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σοῦ τήν δέ δοκόν τήν ἐν τῷ ἰδίῳ ὀφθαλμῷ οὒ κατανοεῖς)

Jesus is using this question as a teaching tool. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate his words as a statement. Alternate translation: [do not look at the speck in your brother’s eye while ignoring the log in your own eye!]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

τί & βλέπεις τὸ κάρφος τὸ ἐν τῷ ὀφθαλμῷ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου

This is a metaphor. Alternate translation: [you should not criticize the less important faults of a fellow believer]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / youcrowd

βλέπεις & σου & τῷ ἰδίῳ & οὐ κατανοεῖς

˱you˲_˓are˒_looking & (Some words not found in SR-GNT: τί Δέ βλέπεις τό κάρφος τό ἐν τῷ ὀφθαλμῷ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σοῦ τήν δέ δοκόν τήν ἐν τῷ ἰδίῳ ὀφθαλμῷ οὒ κατανοεῖς)

Even though Jesus is still speaking to his disciples and the crowd, he is addressing an individual situation here, so you and your are singular in this verse. But if the singular forms of these pronouns would not be natural in your language, you could use the plural forms in your translation.

Note 4 topic: translate-unknown

τὸ κάρφος

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: τί Δέ βλέπεις τό κάρφος τό ἐν τῷ ὀφθαλμῷ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σοῦ τήν δέ δοκόν τήν ἐν τῷ ἰδίῳ ὀφθαλμῷ οὒ κατανοεῖς)

If your readers would not be familiar with the speck of wood, in your translation you could use a phrase that describes the smallest thing that commonly falls into a person’s eyes in your culture, or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: [the grain of sand] or [the tiny object]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου

˱of˲_the brother (Some words not found in SR-GNT: τί Δέ βλέπεις τό κάρφος τό ἐν τῷ ὀφθαλμῷ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σοῦ τήν δέ δοκόν τήν ἐν τῷ ἰδίῳ ὀφθαλμῷ οὒ κατανοεῖς)

The term brother refers to a fellow believer in Jesus. Alternate translation: [of a fellow believer]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations

τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ

˱of˲_the brother

This fellow believer could be either a man or a woman, so be sure that this is clear in your translation, for example, by using both the masculine and feminine forms of the word for “believer.”

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

τὴν δὲ δοκὸν τὴν ἐν τῷ ἰδίῳ ὀφθαλμῷ οὐ κατανοεῖς

This phrase is a metaphor. Alternate translation: [while ignoring your own serious faults]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / hyperbole

τὴν & δοκὸν τὴν ἐν τῷ ἰδίῳ ὀφθαλμῷ

A log could not literally go into a person’s eye. Jesus is exaggerating to emphasize his point and make it memorable. Alternate translation: [your own serious faults]

Note 9 topic: translate-unknown

δοκὸν

You could translate this with the term for the kind of long, large piece of wood that people in your culture would encounter. Or if your readers would not be familiar with wood, you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: [beam] or [plank] or [large object]

Parallel LUKE 6:41

Section 6:17–49: Jesus taught people how to be his disciples

Paragraph 6:41–42

6:41a–b

6:41a

6:41b