1. Context: (BKC) Matthew 5–7 is commonly called “the Sermon on the Mount” because Jesus delivered it on a mountain...Jesus instructed them in view of His announcement of the coming kingdom (4:17). Natural questions on the heart of every Jew would have been, “Am I eligible to enter Messiah’s kingdom? Am I righteous enough to qualify for entrance?” The only standard of righteousness the people knew was that laid down by the current religious leaders, the scribes and Pharisees. Would one who followed that standard be acceptable in Messiah’s kingdom? Jesus’ sermon therefore must be understood in the context of His offer of the kingdom to Israel and the need for repentance to enter that kingdom. The sermon did not give a “Constitution” for the kingdom nor did it present the way of salvation. The sermon showed how a person who is in right relationship with God should conduct his life. While the passage must be understood in the light of the offer of the messianic kingdom, the sermon applies to Jesus’ followers today for it demonstrates the standard of righteousness God demands of His people.
In ch 6-7:6 The Lord then turned from the Pharisees’ teachings to examine their hypocritical deeds. About their almsgiving 6:1-4, their prayer 6:5-1-5, fasting 16-18, 19-24 their attitude toward wealth, and the final illustration of Pharisaic practices pertains to judging in 7:1-6
2. Content:
repeated word:
A. judge (BDAG-to pass judgment upon (and thereby seek to influence) the lives and actions of other people...judge, pass judgment upon, express an opinion about)
Judge...and you will be judged...(by the same standard, by the same measure you use) (NET-The point of the statement do not judge so that you will not be judged is that the standards we apply to others God applies to us. The passive verbs in this verse look to God’s action.)
* And the judgment to the Pharisees is in v.5 you hypocrite
B. Being deceived by the truth
The speck vs the beam (NET-The term translated speck refers to a small piece of wood, chaff, or straw; The term beam of wood refers to a very big piece of wood, the main beam of a building, in contrast to the speck in the other’s eye)
Why do you see the speck...fail to see the beam...while there is a beam in your own (Look the beam in your eye)...first remove the beam...then you can see clearly to remove the speck...
* It seems like that the audience do not even aware of these truth before the speaker pointed that out. (BKC) Though judgment is sometimes needed, those making the distinctions (krinō, judge, means “to distinguish” and thus “to decide”) must first be certain of their own lives.
Reflection: How the leader themselves failed in the standard of the Law they taught, i.e. in the subject of judgment. The standard of judgment is consistent. We tend to be bias and be lose to ourselves but strict to other. God's Law do not give room to that.
We need to first examine ourselves before we can judge others, otherwise, we are hypocrite (double standard). The Pharisees had not done that. Why? They had never thought about that? It was easier to see other's fault? Or they were too eager to see the sin of others but not so interest in themselves?
3. Difficult to understand v.6
(EBC) Disciples exhorted to love their enemies (5:43–47) and not to judge (Mt 7:1) might fail to consider the subtleties of the argument and become undiscerning simpletons. This verse guards against such a possibility.
(PNTC) What is so set apart must be used only for the holy purpose that led to its being set apart. Dogs were regarded as unclean animals; therefore they must not be made the recipients of holy things. The “holy things” may be the reproofs of verses 1–4; care should be taken in the way they are used. But we should keep in mind that for the followers of Jesus there is nothing more holy than the gospel. This message is to be offered to all (cf. 28:18–20), but there is a limit to the time that is to be given to its obstinate rejecters. Disciples are not to be judgmental, but that does not mean that they are to lack discernment...Things of value and beauty will not only not be appreciated by pigs, but will be abused. What is precious is not to be given to people who have no appreciation of it
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