1. Context: Jesus’ sermon on the level place (6:17–49) (Matt. 5–7)
In the beginning of v.43 the word, "for" link this passage with the previous.
In v.39-42, Jesus is addressing the hypocrite 42. First, in 39-40, (EBC) If the rabbi lacks a proper view of life, his student will be also misled (v. 39). The criticism and hostility already apparent in the Pharisees may unfortunately crop up in their disciples. Then, in 41-42, the hypocrite (EBC) casually calls the person he is criticizing “brother” (v. 42)...“What is criticized by Jesus is the moralist’s patronizing attitude.”...“Better it is to correct one’s own faults than those of others.”
2. Content:
2 parallels statement in v.43 and 44. Bad tree/good fruit is parallel to thorns and brambles/figs and grapes. Theis principle is seen in the last statement of v.45 his mouth speaks from what fills his heart. What does the mouth speak? The last statement is in v.42, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck from your eye.' These words come from a evil heart (criticize others when we ourselves have bigger fault).
Reflection: God knows that those words of caring actually comes from a bad heart. We need God's grace to change our inside and that is the whole point of the sermon on the Mount.
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