A Textual-Critical Analysis of Word Order in Matthew 7:5a
This exegetical study of A Textual-Critical Analysis of Word Order in Matthew 7:5a is based on a b-greek discussion. The initial textual observation concerns a variant in Matthew 7:5a regarding the placement of the direct object τὴν δοκόν (“the beam”) relative to the prepositional phrase ἐκ τοῦ ὀφθαλμοῦ σου (“from your eye”). A minority of significant Greek manuscripts (specifically ℵ D 0281, although the original discussion also grouped B and C with this reading, NA28 lists B and C with the majority) transpose τὴν δοκόν to a position following the prepositional phrase, potentially for emphasis. Conversely, the majority of witnesses, including the Byzantine textual tradition, preserve the word order where τὴν δοκόν precedes the prepositional phrase.
The core exegetical issue revolves around determining the original wording of Matthew 7:5a, specifically the sequence of words: whether the direct object τὴν δοκόν originally preceded or followed the ablative prepositional phrase ἐκ τοῦ ὀφθαλμοῦ σου. This textual divergence impacts not only the precise emphasis within the command but also raises critical questions about scribal tendencies such as assimilation to parallel passages (e.g., Matthew 7:3 or Luke 6:42) or intentional scribal reordering for rhetorical effect. Alternative hypotheses include an initial accidental omission of τὴν δοκόν by homoeoteleuton error (ον…ον) which was later repaired by adding the skipped words after the prepositional phrase. The internal evidence presents conflicting claims, making a definitive judgment challenging, as it requires assessing whether a small group of related manuscripts harmonized the text or if a broad consensus of manuscripts across various traditions did so.
πρῶτον ἔκβαλε τὴν δοκὸν ἐκ τοῦ ὀφθαλμοῦ σου, καὶ τότε διαβλέψεις ἐκβαλεῖν τὸ κάρφος ἐκ τοῦ ὀφθαλμοῦ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου. (Nestle 1904)
Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):
- The SBLGNT (2010) text of Matthew 7:5a, like the Nestle (1904) text, reads “τὴν δοκὸν ἐκ τοῦ ὀφθαλμοῦ σου,” placing the direct object τὴν δοκόν before the prepositional phrase.
- The alternative word order, “ἐκ τοῦ ὀφθαλμοῦ σου τὴν δοκὸν,” supported by a minority of manuscripts (e.g., ℵ D 0281), is not adopted in the main text of SBLGNT, aligning with the textual decision in Nestle 1904. Therefore, no substantive difference in word order exists between these editions for the main text of Matthew 7:5a.
Textual Criticism (NA28) and Lexical Notes
The critical edition NA28 (28th ed.) for Matthew 7:5a follows the reading: “πρῶτον ἔκβαλε τὴν δοκὸν ἐκ τοῦ ὀφθαλμοῦ σου“. The critical apparatus provides the following details: the reading τὴν δοκὸν ἐκ τοῦ ὀφθαλμοῦ σου is designated with {A}, indicating a “virtually certain” reading, and is supported by manuscripts such as B, C, L, W, 0233, and the Byzantine tradition. The variant reading, ἐκ τοῦ ὀφθαλμοῦ σου τὴν δοκὸν, is attested by ℵ, D, 0281, and some Old Latin (lat) and Syriac Peshitta (syh) witnesses. This aligns with the observation that a minority of manuscripts transpose the direct object. The debate centers on internal evidence: some editors have preferred the minority reading, positing that the majority assimilated to the word order of Matthew 7:5b or Luke 6:42. Conversely, it is argued that the minority reading might have originated from assimilation to Matthew 7:3 (ἐν τῷ σῷ ὀφθαλμῷ δοκόν), a desire to emphasize δοκόν through post-positioning, or an accidental omission and subsequent repair by a scribe. The high confidence rating in NA28, coupled with broad manuscript support, points to the received order as the most probable original reading.
Lexical Notes:
- δοκός (dokos): According to BDAG, this term denotes “a beam, rafter.” In the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 7:3-5; Luke 6:41f), it is used metaphorically in hyperbolic contrast to **κάρφος** (splinter or speck) to signify a *grave defect* or a significant moral failing. KITTEL (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament) further elaborates on its use as a powerful and vivid metaphor, emphasizing the gross hypocrisy of one who judges minor faults in others while ignoring major ones in themselves.
- ὀφθαλμός (ophthalmos): BDAG defines this simply as “eye.” While literally referring to the organ of sight, in the context of Matthew 7:3-5, it metaphorically represents one’s perception, moral discernment, or capacity for self-reflection. The removal of the “beam” from the eye is therefore an act of moral self-correction to enable clear judgment of others.
Translation Variants with Grammatical & Rhetorical Analysis
The word order variant in Matthew 7:5a, specifically concerning the phrase “remove the beam from your eye,” involves the sequence of the direct object τὴν δοκόν and the prepositional phrase ἐκ τοῦ ὀφθαλμοῦ σου. In Greek, word order is more flexible than in English, often employed for emphasis or rhetorical effect rather than solely for grammatical function. The standard verbal construction for a command like “cast out the beam” would naturally place the object after the verb, followed by any qualifying phrases.
- The prevalent reading, ἔκβαλε τὴν δοκὸν ἐκ τοῦ ὀφθαλμοῦ σου (Verb-Object-Prepositional Phrase), presents the command in a straightforward manner. The object τὴν δοκόν is immediately specified, followed by the source of its removal. This order is grammatically natural and places the emphasis initially on *what* needs to be removed.
- The variant reading, ἔκβαλε ἐκ τοῦ ὀφθαλμοῦ σου τὴν δοκὸν (Verb-Prepositional Phrase-Object), inverts this sequence. Placing the prepositional phrase ἐκ τοῦ ὀφθαλμοῦ σου before the direct object τὴν δοκόν could achieve several rhetorical effects. It might emphasize *where* the removal must occur (from one’s own eye) before specifying *what* is to be removed. Alternatively, placing τὴν δοκόν at the very end of the phrase could lend it a stronger rhetorical emphasis through a delayed, climactic position, drawing heightened attention to the magnitude of the “beam.” This inversion could create a more dramatic impact, underscoring the severity of the personal flaw before addressing the lesser flaw of another.
Conclusions and Translation Suggestions
The textual evidence for Matthew 7:5a reveals a discernible variant concerning the word order of the direct object τὴν δοκόν and the prepositional phrase ἐκ τοῦ ὀφθαλμοῦ σου. While modern critical editions (Nestle 1904, SBLGNT, NA28) and the vast majority of manuscripts support the reading τὴν δοκὸν ἐκ τοῦ ὀφθαλμοῦ σου, a significant minority, including some early and important witnesses (ℵ D 0281), attest to the inverted order ἐκ τοῦ ὀφθαλμοῦ σου τὴν δοκὸν. Both readings possess plausible origins, whether through scribal assimilation to parallel passages or intentional rhetorical reordering to achieve emphasis. Despite the compelling arguments for the variant, the NA28’s high confidence rating for the standard order, supported by its strong manuscript base and a straightforward grammatical flow, makes it the preferred reading for textual reconstruction. However, the existence of the variant underscores the dynamic nature of textual transmission and the subtle rhetorical choices available to the earliest scribes, which can influence interpretation.
Based on this analysis, the following translation suggestions capture the nuances of the textual variants and the underlying rhetorical force of the passage:
- First, cast out the beam from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to cast out the speck from your brother’s eye.
This translation reflects the word order found in the majority of manuscripts and modern critical editions (τὴν δοκὸν ἐκ τοῦ ὀφθαλμοῦ σου), placing “the beam” before “from your own eye.” It is consistent with a natural English flow and emphasizes the object of removal. - First, cast out from your own eye the beam, and then you will see clearly to cast out the speck from your brother’s eye.
This translation reflects the transposed word order (ἐκ τοῦ ὀφθαλμοῦ σου τὴν δοκὸν) found in some minority manuscripts. This structure may rhetorically emphasize the *location* from which the object is to be removed, or place “the beam” in a more emphatic, delayed final position. - First, remove that massive beam you have in your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye.
This rendering aims to capture the hyperbolic and emphatic nature of the Greek metaphor, regardless of the precise word order. It interprets “the beam” with an implied sense of its overwhelming presence and magnitude, offering a more dynamic and impactful English equivalent that highlights the speaker’s profound hypocrisy.