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Matthew 7:3-5 Beams and motes: the devil is in the details
1. Devil in the details
The idiom "
The devil is in the details" meaning that little details will cause something that appears simple or clear take a lot more time to complete and/or may not be obvious.
This phrase is often attributed to the German Ludwig van der Rohe but appears to be from an earlier German proverb "
Der liebe Gott steckt im detail" meaning "
The beloved God puts in the details".
Proverbs 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. [kjv]
δοξα θεου κρυπτει λογον δοξα δε βασιλεως τιμα πραγματα [lxx]
In terms of Bible passages, little details in that passage may be very important to understanding the passage.
Any incorrect meaning (at the time the passage was written) or context (e.g., cherry-picking verses across the Bible or using different Bible translations) can make understanding the passage much more difficult.
The devil is in the details. Of course, God put in those details.
2. Proverbs 25:2
KJV: It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
Hebrew: כבד אלהים הסתר דבר וכבד מלכים חקר דבר׃
Greek: δοξα θεου κρυπτει λογον δοξα δε βασιλεως τιμα πραγματα
3. Matthew 7:3-5 Beams and motes: the devil is in the details
Matthew 7:3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? [kjv]
τι δε βλεπεις το καρφος το εν τω οφθαλμω του αδελφου σου την δε εν τω σω οφθαλμω δοκον ου κατανοεις [gnt]
7:4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? [kjv]
η πως ερεις τω αδελφω σου αφες εκβαλω το καρφος εκ του οφθαλμου σου και ιδου η δοκος εν τω οφθαλμω σου [gnt]
7:5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. [kjv]
υποκριτα εκβαλε πρωτον εκ του οφθαλμου σου την δοκον και τοτε διαβλεψεις εκβαλειν το καρφος εκ του οφθαλμου του αδελφου σου [gnt]
The Greek word for "
hypocrite" meant "
pretending" or "
acting" as an
actor. In the
GNT (Greek New Testament), there is a pun of "
mote" or "
twig" as "
fruit" and of "
beam" as "
expectation". One should not even be looking at the possible "
twig".
4. Matthew 7:3
KJV: And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
Greek: τι δε βλεπεις το καρφος το εν τω οφθαλμω του αδελφου σου την δε εν τω σω οφθαλμω δοκον ου κατανοεις
Latin: quid autem vides festucam in oculo fratris tui et trabem in oculo tuo non vides
Luther: Was siehest du aber den Splitter in deines Bruders Auge und wirst nicht gewahr des Balkens in deinem Auge?
5. Matthew 7:4
KJV: Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
Greek: η πως ερεις τω αδελφω σου αφες εκβαλω το καρφος απο εκ του οφθαλμου σου και ιδου η δοκος εν τω οφθαλμω σου
6. Matthew 7:5
KJV: Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
Greek: υποκριτα εκβαλε πρωτον την δοκον εκ του οφθαλμου σου την δοκον και τοτε διαβλεψεις εκβαλειν το καρφος εκ του οφθαλμου του αδελφου σου
Latin: hypocrita eice primum trabem de oculo tuo et tunc videbis eicere festucam de oculo fratris tui
Wessex: Laet þu liketere. ä-do aerest ut þanne beam of þinen agenen eagen. & be-hawe þanne þaet þu ut do þaet mot of þines broðer eagen.
Luther: Du Heuchler, zieh am ersten den Balken aus deinem Auge; danach besiehe, wie du den Splitter aus deines Bruders Auge ziehest!
7. Beam and mote
The words for "
mote" and "
beam" appear in two places in the
GNT in passages that are very similar. Here we look at Matthew 7:3-5. The variation of these statements in Luke 6:41-42 are omitted.
What exactly is a "
mote"? And what is a "
beam"?
Here the literal meanings of the terms "
mote" and "
beam" are addressed first and then possible decoded meanings for these words.
Let us now look at the literal meanings of "
beam" and "
mote".
8. Beams
2 Kings 6:2 Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan, and take thence every man a beam, and let us make us a place there, where we may dwell. And he answered, Go ye. [kjv]
πορευθωμεν δη εως του ιορδανου και λαβωμεν εκειθεν ανηρ εις δοκον μιαν και ποιησωμεν εαυτοις εκει του οικειν εκει και ειπεν δευτε [lxx]
6:5 But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed. [kjv]
και ιδου ο εις καταβαλλων την δοκον και το σιδηριον εξεπεσεν εις το υδωρ και εβοησεν ω κυριε και αυτο κεχρημενον [lxx]
The KJV term "
beam" is, in the Greek, the word for a big "
plank" using for building. The English word "
beam" has roots in the German word
"Baum" ≈ "tree".
The modern Greek word
"δοκός" (tho-KOS) ≈ "beam" as in a big piece of wood, usually from the trunk of a tree, that is used to build a house, perhaps even a house on sand.
9. 2 Kings 6:2,5
2 Kings 6:2 Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan, and take thence every man a beam, and let us make us a place there, where we may dwell. And he answered, Go ye. [kjv]
πορευθωμεν δη εως του ιορδανου και λαβωμεν εκειθεν ανηρ εις δοκον μιαν και ποιησωμεν εαυτοις εκει του οικειν εκει και ειπεν δευτε [lxx]
6:5 But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed. [kjv]
και ιδου ο εις καταβαλλων την δοκον και το σιδηριον εξεπεσεν εις το υδωρ και εβοησεν ω κυριε και αυτο κεχρημενον [lxx]
10. 2 Kings 6:2
KJV: Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan, and take thence every man a beam, and let us make us a place there, where we may dwell. And he answered, Go ye.
Hebrew: נלכה נא עד הירדן ונקחה משם איש קורה אחת ונעשה לנו שם מקום לשבת שם ויאמר לכו׃
Greek: πορευθωμεν δη εως του ιορδανου και λαβωμεν εκειθεν ανηρ εις δοκον μιαν και ποιησωμεν εαυτοις εκει του οικειν εκει και ειπεν δευτε
Latin: eamus usque ad Iordanem et tollant singuli de silva materias singulas ut aedificemus nobis ibi locum ad habitandum qui dixit ite
Luther: Laß uns an den Jordan gehen und einen jeglichen daselbst Holz holen, daß wir uns daselbst eine Stätte bauen, da wir wohnen. Er sprach: Gehet hin!
11. 2 Kings 6:5
KJV: But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed.
Hebrew: ויהי האחד מפיל הקורה ואת הברזל נפל אל המים ויצעק ויאמר אהה אדני והוא שאול׃
Greek: και ιδου ο εις καταβαλλων την δοκον και το σιδηριον εξεπεσεν εις το υδωρ και εβοησεν ω κυριε και αυτο κεχρημενον
Luther: Und da einer ein Holz fällete, fiel das Eisen ins Wasser. Und er schrie und sprach: Awe, mein Herr! Dazu ist's entlehnet.
12. Motes
Genesis 8:11 And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth. [kjv]
και ανεστρεψεν προς αυτον η περιστερα το προς εσπεραν και ειχεν φυλλον ελαιας καρφος εν τω στοματι αυτης και εγνω νωε οτι κεκοπακεν το υδωρ απο της γης [lxx]
An "olive leaf pluckt off" is a "
twig". The
"καρφός" (kar-FOS) ≈ "mote" is the part of the
"ελαιάς" (eh-leh-AS) ≈ "olive" tree that is in the
"στομάτι" (sto-MA-tee) ≈ "mouth" of the
"περιστέρα" (peh-ree-STEH-ra) ≈ "pigeon". The
LXX (Septuagint) includes both leaf and stem or twig (i.e., literal "
mote"). The reference to a "
dove" is interesting.
The
KJV (King James Version) term "
mote" is, in the Greek, the word for "
twig". This is sometimes translated as "
splinter". The word is that of a twig. The modern Greek word
"καρφί" (kar-FEE) ≈ "nail".
Like many languages, Greek had one word for the bird for which English has the words "
dove" or "
pigeon".
13. Strongs - mote
- *G2595 *6 κάρφος (kar'-fos) : from karpho (to wither); a dry twig or straw:--mote.
- καρφος *6
- Matthew 7:3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy ...
- Matthew 7:4 ... brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine ...
- Matthew 7:5 ... then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy ...
- Luke 6:41 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
- Luke 6:42 ... 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 ...
14. Usage - mote
*G2595 *6 κάρφος (kar'-fos) : from karpho (to wither); a dry twig or straw:--mote.
 |
Words: καρφος=6
|
15. Genesis 8:11
KJV: And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth.
Hebrew: ותבא אליו היונה לעת ערב והנה עלה זית טרף בפיה וידע נח כי קלו המים מעל הארץ׃
Greek: και ανεστρεψεν προς αυτον η περιστερα το προς εσπεραν και ειχεν φυλλον ελαιας καρφος εν τω στοματι αυτης και εγνω νωε οτι κεκοπακεν το υδωρ απο της γης
16. Matthew 7:7 Reflexive interpretation
Jesus then immediately gives an example that illustrates a reflexive relationship. That is, a relationship that can refer to itself.
Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: [kjv]
αιτειτε και δοθησεται υμιν ζητειτε και ευρησετε κρουετε και ανοιγησεται υμιν [gnt]
As an intellectual exercise, consider the this verse in terms of reflexive relationships. Does it make any sense with respect to reflexive relationships?
ask yourself
seek yourself
knock yourself
17. Matthew 7:7
KJV: Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Greek: αιτειτε και δοθησεται υμιν ζητειτε και ευρησετε κρουετε και ανοιγησεται υμιν
18. Shrek 4
In the animated feature Shrek 4, the villain Rumpelstiltskin offers a big reward to whoever turns in the main character Shrek for his evil purposes. Shrek, to save his love, Fiona, turns himself in to get the reward, surprising Rumpelstiltskin (who is always bound by the deals he makes).
19. Casting out
In Matthew 7:4, in the beam and mote verses, the "
pull out" in the
KJV in the Greek is "
cast out" as is often used for the casting out of demons. The Geneva Bible has "
cast out".
This word could be interpreted as "
remove" depending on context.
To help discern the decoded meaning of (the definition of "
judge" in the two verses before these verses) of "
beam" and "
mote", we look at the use of the verb for "
cast out".
The Greek word for "
pull out" is that of "
cast out".
How does one throw or cast out a mote in the eye of someone?
20. Matthew 8:31 Cast out
This word for "
throw out", not "
pull out" is often used to describe the process of "
casting out" a demon.
Matthew 8:31 So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. [kjv]
οι δε δαιμονες παρεκαλουν αυτον λεγοντες ει εκβαλλεις ημας αποστειλον ημας εις την αγελην των χοιρων [gnt]
The herd of swine here in Matthew 8 appears to connect to the throwing pearls before swine in Matthew 7.
21. Matthew 8:31
KJV: So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.
Greek: οι δε δαιμονες παρεκαλουν αυτον λεγοντες ει εκβαλλεις ημας επιτρεψον ημιν απελθειν αποστειλον ημας εις την αγελην των χοιρων
Latin: daemones autem rogabant eum dicentes si eicis nos mitte nos in gregem porcorum
22. Matthew 9:34 Prince of the devils
Matthew 9:34 But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils. [kjv]
οι οι δε φαρισαιοι ελεγον εν τω αρχοντι των δαιμονιων εκβαλλει τα δαιμονια [gnt]
When the Pharisees accuse Jesus of casting out demons by the prince of demons in the following verse, might this be a case of what is projection in psychology whereby one accuses someone else of doing what you are doing.
23. Matthew 9:34
KJV: But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.
Greek: οι οι δε φαρισαιοι ελεγον εν τω αρχοντι των δαιμονιων εκβαλλει τα δαιμονια
Latin: Pharisaei autem dicebant in principe daemoniorum eicit daemones
24. Matthew 12:26 House divided
Matthew 12:26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? [kjv]
και ει ο σατανας τον σαταναν εκβαλλει εφ εαυτον εμερισθη πως ουν σταθησεται η βασιλεια αυτου [gnt]
… eicit … [v]
In Matthew 12:16, Jesus talks about Satan casting out Satan as in a "
house divided".
The Latin word
"eicit" ≈ "throw out, eject" and is the source of the English word "
eject" where the "
i" was eventually split into an "
i" and a "
j" depending on how it was pronounced.
If the projection idea fits, then this also fits the idea that the "
beam" represents the prince of demons (as in a brood of vipers) while the "
mote" represents a demon.
25. Matthew 12:26
KJV: And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
Greek: και ει ο σατανας τον σαταναν εκβαλλει εφ εαυτον εμερισθη πως ουν σταθησεται η βασιλεια αυτου
Latin: et si Satanas Satanan eicit adversus se divisus est quomodo ergo stabit regnum eius
26. Apple of the eye
Psalms 17:8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings, [kjv]
φυλαξον με ως κοραν οφθαλμου εν σκεπη των πτερυγων σου σκεπασεις με [lxx]
The
"eye" is a "
chamber" into which
"light" enters and is recognized by the "
brain" as something - such as an object. The eye is a "
sensor", in contrast to a "
transducer".
In Greek, the word for
"eye" is, literally, an "
opening" into a "
chamber" (heart, brain, etc.) and is the source of the English word
"ophthalmologist".
The ancient Greek word
"ὀφθαλμός" ≈ "eye" and appears to come from two Greek words.
"ὀπή" ≈ "opening, hole, hollow" and is from the same root as the ancient Greek word "ὄμμα" ≈ "eye" often in a poetic sense.
"θάλαμος" ≈ "chamber, room".
27. Catch and release: throwing out some ideas
Matthew 9:34 But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils. [kjv]
οι οι δε φαρισαιοι ελεγον εν τω αρχοντι των δαιμονιων εκβαλλει τα δαιμονια [gnt]
The ancient Greek word
"εκβαλλω" ≈ "cast out" comes from the prefix the ancient Greek word
"εκ" ≈ "out of", as in Exodus, and the ancient Greek word
"βάλλω" ≈ "cast, throw, hurl" and is the source of the English word "
ballistic".
In the
GNT, the
"cast out" usually refers to demons. The other uses of
"cast out" can be very interesting.
The entire action consists of two parts.
Catch: take hold of something
Release: throw that something somewhere else
Depending on context, one of the two may be implied, though the usual meaning is that of both parts.
28. An actor as a hypocrite is not real
Many times Jesus appears to rebuke the Pharisees as "
hypocrites", in the modern sense, because the apply rules to others but not to themselves, reflexively. On closer inspection, and using the definition of "
hypocrite" at the time, this is not quite what is happening.
The ancient Greek word
"ὑποκριτής" ≈ "actor, pretender" and comes from
"ὑποκρίνομαι" ≈ "answer, interpret, play a part as an actor" and comes from two Greek words.
"ῠ̔πο" ≈ "under" as in English words starting with "hypo".
"κρῑ́νω" ≈ "separate".
The meaning went from "
separate" to "
answer" to "
answer" an actor on stage to "
play a part" as in "
acting" or "
pretending".
The modern definition of "
hypocrite" appears to come from a misinterpretation of what Jesus says in Matthew 7:3-5 (plank or splinter in the eye).
When Jesus says "
You hypocrites", instead of the modern sense, it might be better read as "
You actors" as in "
You pretenders" or "
Get real" or "
Get in touch with reality" or "
Get in touch with the truth". Substituting "
actors" or "
pretenders" might make for a better translation than "
hypocrites".
29. Beam and mote 0
It appears that many people throughout time have considered the beam to be just a bigger object, but the same type of object, as the twig.
A literal wooden beam and a wooden twig are of the same substance. When Jesus uses code words as nouns that are replaced with other nouns, such would not be the case.
Let us assume that the beam and the twig each represent a noun but that those nouns need not be related by meaning.
30. Beam and mote 1
Consider the situation.
Let A be the side with the beam (in the eye).
Let B be the side with the twig (in the eye).
A wants to cast out the twig from B.
If casting out the twig from B were not happening at a significant scale, Jesus would not need to address it. He does address it. Therefore, it must, in some way, be a problem.
31. Beam and mote 2
If casting out the twig from B were a good thing, Jesus would not need to address it or could encourage it.
If casting out the twig from B were a bad thing, then Jesus could simply address it as bad. He does not.
If it were neither good nor bad, why would it matter if the twig were cast out from B?
Instead, Jesus says that the twig should not be cast out from B until a condition involving A is completed.
32. Beam and mote 3
The condition is that A first cast out the beam.
Then A will see clearly to cast out the twig.
Why does it matter if the twig is cast out?
33. Cases to consider
As in most computer science problems, and in most decisions in general, there are more than two cases to consider. Most people forget to handle the degenerate case (of doing nothing). The three cases are as follows.
Cast out the twig from B.
Do not cast out the twig from B.
Do not even concern yourself with the twig from B.
34. Degenerate case
In computer science, the time spent processing something takes time that could be spent elsewhere. If it is not needed, one should not even look - since that takes time to do. This idea is found in statistics whereby a small random sample of a population can be used to estimate parameters of the population.
35. Beam and mote 4
One conclusion in that the casting out the twig should not even be considered or done. If this is so, why then does A need to cast out the beam?
It appears that something must change in the mind of B. Thus, the beam may represent some idea or expectation of B with respect to the twig. This must change so that A now ignores the casting out of the twig.
36. Repent
The Greek word for "
repent" means, literally, "
after thought" as in "
think about what you are doing" with the implication that same change it mind and then behavior would result.
It appears that B needs to change their expectations of what should be done. Then, A would see clearly that they do not need to be concerned about the twig but, instead, on what they are doing.
37. Twigs and fruit
What then might the twig represent? The context of Matthew 7 is that of not only loving God but loving your neighbor (as yourself). The religious establishment had forgotten about loving your neighbor - a central focus of this chapter.
The good works of Jesus, representing loving your neighbor, were often criticized by the religious establishment, but especially on the Sabbath. They needed to rethink their expectations of what God desires - loving both God and neighbor.
38. Twigs and fruit
One meaning for the twig is that the twig would contain fruit - good works, loving your neighbor, etc., if it were not impeded by the rules and requirements of the religious establishment.
 |
Fruit normally grows on a twig of a branch.
|
 |
Suppose that the twig is removed. How would the fruit grow?
|
39. Replication
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Since this twig idea was apparently prevalent, it might be like an entire vine with twigs ready to grow fruit.
If the twigs are removed, the growth of the fruit is impeded.
|
 |
If the twigs are not removed, that is, no action is taken, then fruit can grow.
|
So the twig may implicitly represent the fruit that would otherwise be growing - in terms of loving neighbors.
Let us look at a tree analogy that involves the beam and twigs.
40. Tree analogy
 |
A beam is the part of the tree consisting of the trunk.
In the Bible, trees often represent empires and leaders and those working for that leader in ruling that empire.
|
 |
At the extremities of the tree structure are the twigs. If the twigs are not allowed to grow, the tree bears no fruit.
|
 |
If allowed to develop, the twigs of a tree can grow the fruit of the tree.
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41. Structures
42. Paraphrase
Here is a possible paraphrase for Matthew 7:3-5, addressed to individuals.
Before you try to throw out the "fruit" from your brother's eye, first throw out your own "expectations" (which, in the context of other statements in this chapter, are misguided).
43. Paraphrase
Here is a possible paraphrase for Matthew 7:3-5, addressed to the religious establishment.
Before you as a religious authority take away the ability of the people to bear fruit, as in loving their neighbor, rethink your expectations of what God actually says. Then you will clearly see that you should love both God and your neighbor.
As such, the religious establishment had paralyzed the people such that they could not do what God desires - love God and your neighbor. Does this happen today? First, let us add some justification to the definitions used.
44. Generalization
As a generalization, one might paraphrase the verses as follows.
Be more concerned at looking at yourself and what you are thinking and doing and not at what others are thinking and doing.
Paul talks of this in Galatians.
45. Compare you to yourself
According to Paul, instead of comparing our work to others, one should compare one's work to one's own work.
Galatians 6:4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. [kjv]
το δε εργον εαυτου δοκιμαζετω εκαστος και τοτε εις εαυτον μονον το καυχημα εξει και ουκ εις τον ετερον [gnt]
The word for "
prove" here is that of "
testing" and not a mathematical "
proof".
46. Galatians 6:4
KJV: But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
Greek: το δε εργον εαυτου δοκιμαζετω εκαστος και τοτε εις εαυτον μονον το καυχημα εξει και ουκ εις τον ετερον
Latin: opus autem suum probet unusquisque et sic in semet ipso tantum gloriam habebit et non in altero
Wycliffe: But ech man preue his owne werk, and so he schal haue glorie in him silf, and not in an othere.
Luther: Ein jeglicher aber prüfe sein selbst Werk, und alsdann wird er an sich selber Ruhm haben und nicht an einem andern.
47. Definitions
The code word definitions for the nouns beam and twig (mote) have been selected as follows.
The twig represents the fruit that would appear on that twig - the twigs at the extreme part of the tree.
The beam represents the (misguided) expectations of the religious establishment - the trunk of the tree.
Can we further justify these definitions chosen?
48. Beam
49. Expectations
50. Beams and twigs
This "
pun" like similarity supports the idea that in the "
beam" and "
twig" (or "
mote") in Matthew 7, the "
beam" represents an expectation while the "
twig" represents fruit or ability to bear fruit (twig needed).
Ancient Greek words:
"κάρφος" ≈ "twig, splinter"
"καρπός" ≈ "fruit"
It is interesting that the word for "
expectation" is related to the word for "
dogma" as a "
teaching" as in an "
opinion" with "
expectation".
51. Luke 19:11
Luke 19:11 And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. [kjv]
ακουοντων δε αυτων ταυτα προσθεις ειπεν παραβολην δια το εγγυς ειναι ιερουσαλημ αυτον και δοκειν αυτους οτι παραχρημα μελλει η βασιλεια του θεου αναφαινεσθαι [gnt]
52. Luke 19:11
KJV: And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.
Greek: ακουοντων δε αυτων ταυτα προσθεις ειπεν παραβολην δια το εγγυς αυτον ειναι ιερουσαλημ αυτον και δοκειν αυτους οτι παραχρημα μελλει η βασιλεια του θεου αναφαινεσθαι
53. Matthew 6:7
Matthew 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. [kjv]
προσευχομενοι δε μη βατταλογησητε ωσπερ οι εθνικοι δοκουσιν γαρ οτι εν τη πολυλογια αυτων εισακουσθησονται [gnt]
54. Matthew 6:7
KJV: But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Greek: προσευχομενοι δε μη βαττολογησητε βατταλογησητε ωσπερ οι εθνικοι δοκουσιν γαρ οτι εν τη πολυλογια αυτων εισακουσθησονται
55. Mote or twig
56. Languages
Note that the possible pun is in Greek while Aramaic was the primary language in Judea.
For hundreds of years, Greek had been the lingua franca spoken or understood by most people.
It is reasonable to presume that most people spoke one of these languages as a first language and the other as a second language.
The Latin (Roman) language was a late comer to this area and never quite caught on.
57. Word summary
Here is a table to show the correspondence.
| English |
Greek |
| beam |
δοκόν, δόκος |
| illusion |
δοκώ |
| expect, think, pretend |
δοκείν, δοκέω |
| twig |
κάρφος |
| fruit |
καρπός |
As with any pun or word play, anyone fluent in the language would pick up on the similarities.
58. Cast out
A previous discussion looked at how the "pull out" is, in the Greek, "cast out" and is most often used to describe the casting out of demons.
This is an additional meaning for these verses.
59. Then
What are some implications for the church age? This includes church history and current times.
The religious establishment at the time of Jesus were called hypocrites (i.e., not in touch with the reality of God's word) because they were loving God but not their neighbor. They had taken away the ability to bear fruit (removed twigs) in terms of loving their neighbor. The people were paralyzed by this and Jesus points this out.
Do these words of Jesus transcend time to, say, today?
60. Now
Today, many churches have emphasized loving one's neighbor but ignore many of God's laws and, thus, do not fully love God. Have they paralyzed the people? In a sense, these first few verses in Matthew 7 can be applied directly to this idea.
How do these verses, when misused, paralyze the people today? Let us investigate.
61. Judging
The following are used to paralyze people today such that loving God is often ignored and loving neighbor the primary emphasis.
Person B: Is what the you (or the church) is about to do or doing in accordance with loving God?
Person A: You are judging! You should not be judging. Just love your neighbor as we tell you.
Person B is paralyzed and discouraged from asking any more questions.
Note that the Greek for "
judge" is that of separating into groups as to, for example, what is right and wrong. In the context of Matthew 7, with the wide and open gates, one should not be judging or separating those who will go into each gate. That is, in effect, what person A is doing when they accuse person B of that. Person B is trying to determine right from wrong which appears to not be what is meant in Matthew 7.
62. Hypocrites
By changing the definition of "
hypocrite" from the original Greek and changing the beams and motes verses to the "
pot calling the kettle black" or "
tu quoque" logic fallacy, any issue raised by person B as to whether something that someone (or the church) is doing or will do that is not in accordance with loving God can have the "
hypocrisy" card played on them.
Person B: Is what the you (or the church) is about to do or doing in accordance with loving God?
Person A: Are you without sin? You should remove the sin from your own life before trying to remove it from others.
Person B is paralyzed and discouraged from asking any more questions.
63. Effect
The effect of misusing these two verses in this way has some consequences.
Leadership of the religious establishment can paralyze those under them and, in effect, do things the way that they want things done rather than what is in accordance with God's and the Bible.
Leadership can bring in outsiders to this altered belief system of just loving neighbor without necessarily loving God since those brought in can use the same arguments to paralyze (and discourage) any attempt to follow the idea of loving God.
64. Warning
If this were going to be such a problem, having these verses taken out of context by church authorities to do something similar to what the religious authorities of the time of Jesus were doing, you might think that Jesus would have known this and provided a warning about it.
We can find a verse to provide such a warning. How far do we have to go to "cherry pick" a verse that could be used as a warning?
How about the very next verse?
65. Matthew 7:6
Matthew 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. [kjv]
μη δωτε το αγιον τοις κυσιν μηδε βαλητε τους μαργαριτας υμων εμπροσθεν των χοιρων μηποτε καταπατησουσιν αυτους εν τοις ποσιν αυτων και στραφεντες ρηξωσιν υμας [gnt]
One way to interpret this verse, in the context of the previous verses, is as follows.
What is holy is the ability to love God and love neighbor, without having the twig taken away that is used to bear fruit.
The pearls can represent those ideas and precepts that are needed to both love God and love neighbor.
66. Matthew 7:6
KJV: Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Greek: μη δωτε το αγιον τοις κυσιν μηδε βαλητε τους μαργαριτας υμων εμπροσθεν των χοιρων μηποτε καταπατησωσιν καταπατησουσιν αυτους εν τοις ποσιν αυτων και στραφεντες ρηξωσιν υμας
67. Matthew 7:6 Dogs
Matthew 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. [kjv]
μη δωτε το αγιον τοις κυσιν μηδε βαλητε τους μαργαριτας υμων εμπροσθεν των χοιρων μηποτε καταπατησουσιν αυτους εν τοις ποσιν αυτων και στραφεντες ρηξωσιν υμας [gnt]
The dogs can represent a sheep dog (e.g. bishop) that has become a wolf dog (e.g., false teacher, etc.) who has paralyzed their followers, taken control of the twigs, and taken control of the pearls.
68. Matthew 7:6 Swine
Matthew 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. [kjv]
μη δωτε το αγιον τοις κυσιν μηδε βαλητε τους μαργαριτας υμων εμπροσθεν των χοιρων μηποτε καταπατησουσιν αυτους εν τοις ποσιν αυτων και στραφεντες ρηξωσιν υμας [gnt]
The swine can represent outsiders who take those pearls from the wolf dog and trample (or divide) the sheep such that some may now be headed to the wide gate rather than the narrow gate.
69. End times conjecture
An interesting end times conjecture is the following.
Since any large hierarchical human organization tends to take drastic measures when threatened from the inside, would modern religious organizations take drastic action against some of their followers if their way of life were threatened by Biblical interpretations other than what they have decided is the truth?
70. End times conjecture
This has happened over time.
Discussion question: Provide some examples.
It appears that John (in Revelation), Peter (in 2 Peter) and Paul (various places) appear to indicate that end times persecution will be led by the religious organizations that say they are Christian.
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Details are left as a future topic.
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71. End of page
Jesus points out that his kingdom is a flat structure where he is the vine and everyone else are the branches (twigs) that should bear fruit.
The modern Greek word "δοκός" (tho-KOS) ≈ "beam" as in a big piece of wood from a tree used to build a house, perhaps a house on sand.
