Mat 7:1-5 | TNotes | STEP | 7:1 Mercy is a dominant theme in Jesus’ teaching and practice (9:9-13 ; 12:1-7 ), but not at the expense of clear opposition to sin (see 18:15-20 ; 23:13-33 ). At the same time, Jesus calls for people to stop oppressively controlling others in the name of pastoral concern. The judgment Jesus prohibits often involves rigorous scrutiny of trivial matters (see 23:23-24 ). God alone has the right to judge (see Jas 4:11-12 ). • you will not be judged: This might refer to God’s judgment at the end of history (see Matt 5:7 ). God measures us by our treatment of others (see 6:12 ; 18:21-35 ).

a7:1►

b9:9-13►

c12:1-7►

d18:15-20►

e23:13-33►

f23:23-24►

gJas 4:11-12►

hMatt 5:7►

i6:12►

j18:21-35►

k7:3-5►

l5:29►

m23:23-24►

nMic 6:6-8►

‏ Matthew 7:1-5

7:1 ^a Mercy is a dominant theme in Jesus’ teaching and practice (9:9-13 ^b; 12:1-7 ^c), but not at the expense of clear opposition to sin (see 18:15-20 ^d; 23:13-33 ^e). At the same time, Jesus calls for people to stop oppressively controlling others in the name of pastoral concern. The judgment Jesus prohibits often involves rigorous scrutiny of trivial matters (see 23:23-24 ^f). God alone has the right to judge (see Jas 4:11-12 ^g).

• you will not be judged: This might refer to God’s judgment at the end of history (see Matt 5:7 ^h). God measures us by our treatment of others (see 6:12 ⁱ; 18:21-35 ^j).
Summary for Matt 7:3-5: 7:3-5 ^k Jesus exhorts his disciples to minister to others rather than condemning them. Reference to a speck (speck of dust, chip of wood) versus a log in the eye is hyperbolic imagery, intended to heighten the contrast (see 5:29 ^l; 23:23-24 ^m; cp. Mic 6:6-8 ⁿ).