Note 47 at Mt. 7:5: The symbolism in verses 3-5 is very clear; don't be hypocritical in your judgment; straighten yourself out first. However, it does need to be emphasized that this is further comment on judging, which Jesus mentioned in the first two verses. Although there are many applications of this truth, it was not given as an unrelated statement.

Notice also that in the parallel passage in Luke 6, verses 43-44 are tied in to this illustration about casting the beam out of your own eye, by the conjunction, "for." That amplifies this point by saying that if you are corrupt yourself, you can't produce good fruit. Our reputation is built upon who we are, not who we correct (v. 44).