Luke 6:42
What does Luke 6:42 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 6:42 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 6:42 means
Jesus further condemned the hypocrite, asking how one can offer to remove a brother's "mote" when they fail to see the "beam" in their own eye. He then commanded, "You hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to cast out the mote that is in your brother’s eye." This emphasizes that true spiritual help requires prior self-purification. Only after honest self-examination and repentance for one's own significant sins can a person genuinely and effectively help another with their lesser faults, without hypocrisy or clouded judgment. This establishes a sequence for spiritual accountability.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Or how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me cast 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 cast out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Either 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Or how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me cast 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 cast out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949How will you say to your brother, Brother, let me take the grain of dust out of your eye, when you yourself do not see the bit of wood in your eye? O false one! first take the wood out of your eye and then you will see clearly to take the dust out of your brother's eye.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862or how art thou able to say to thy brother, Brother, suffer, I may take out the mote that <FI>is<Fi> in thine eye--thyself the beam in thine own eye not beholding? Hypocrite, take first the beam out of thine own eye, and then thou shalt see clearly to take out the mote that <FI>is<Fi> in thy brother's eye.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Or how canst thou say to thy brother: Brother, let me pull the mote out of thy eye, when thou thyself seest not the beam in thy own eye? Hypocrite, cast first the beam out of thy own eye: and then shalt thou see clearly to take out the mote from thy brother's eye.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890or how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, allow [me], I will cast out the mote that is in thine eye, thyself not seeing the beam that is in thine eye? Hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine eye, and then thou shalt see clear to cast out the mote which is in the eye of thy brother.
Context
This verse expands on the previous condemnation of hypocritical judgment, delivering a direct and sharp rebuke. It provides the explicit instruction to prioritize self-examination and correction before attempting to minister to others. This crucial sequence in spiritual growth leads directly into Jesus' teachings about good and corrupt trees, connecting inner character with outward fruit and reinforcing the importance of genuine transformation.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:10
Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and righteously and unblamably we behaved ourselves toward you that believe:
- Proverbs 18:17
He that pleadeth his cause first seemeth just; But his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out.
- Acts 13:10
and said, O full of all guile and all villany, thou son of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
- Psalms 50:16
But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, And that thou hast taken my covenant in thy mouth,
- 2 Timothy 2:21
If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, meet for the master’s use, prepared unto every good work.
- Matthew 26:75
And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
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