Matthew18
New Living Translation
1About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”
2Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them.
3Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.
4So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
5“And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me.
6But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.
7“What sorrow awaits the world, because it tempts people to sin. Temptations are inevitable, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting.
8So if your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand or one foot than to be thrown into eternal fire with both of your hands and feet.
9And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.
10“Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father.
11
12“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost?
13And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away!
14In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish.
15“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.
16But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses.
17If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.
18“I tell you the truth, whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.
19“I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you.
20For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”
21Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”
22“No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!
23“Therefore, the Kingdom of Heaven can be compared to a king who decided to bring his accounts up to date with servants who had borrowed money from him.
24In the process, one of his debtors was brought in who owed him millions of dollars.
25He couldn’t pay, so his master ordered that he be sold—along with his wife, his children, and everything he owned—to pay the debt.
26“But the man fell down before his master and begged him, ‘Please, be patient with me, and I will pay it all.’
27Then his master was filled with pity for him, and he released him and forgave his debt.
28“But when the man left the king, he went to a fellow servant who owed him a few thousand dollars. He grabbed him by the throat and demanded instant payment.
29“His fellow servant fell down before him and begged for a little more time. ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it,’ he pleaded.
30But his creditor wouldn’t wait. He had the man arrested and put in prison until the debt could be paid in full.
31“When some of the other servants saw this, they were very upset. They went to the king and told him everything that had happened.
32Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me.
33Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’
34Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt.
35“That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart.”
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Matthew 18.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The importance of humility. (1–6). Caution against offences. (7–14). The removal of offences. (15–20). Conduct towards brethren, The parable of the unmerciful servant. (21–35).
vv1-6
Christ spoke many words of his sufferings, but only one of his glory; yet the disciples fasten upon that, and overlook the others. Many love to hear and speak of privileges and glory, who are willing to pass by the thoughts of work and trouble. Our Lord set a little child before them, solemnly assuring them, that unless they were converted and made like little children, they could not enter his kingdom. Children, when very young, do not desire authority, do not regard outward distinctions, are free from malice, are teachable, and willingly dependent on their parents. It is true that they soon begin to show other dispositions, and other ideas are taught them at an early age; but these are marks of childhood, and render them proper emblems of the lowly minds of true Christians. Surely we need to be daily renewed in the spirit of our minds, that we may become simple and humble, as little children, and willing to be the least of all. Let us daily study this subject, and examine our own spirits.
vv7-14
Considering the cunning and malice of Satan, and the weakness and depravity of men's hearts, it is not possible but that there should be offences. God permits them for wise and holy ends, that those who are sincere, and those who are not, may be made known. Being told before, that there will be seducers, tempters, persecutors, and bad examples, let us stand on our guard. We must, as far as lawfully we may, part with what we cannot keep without being entangled by it in sin. The outward occasions of sin must be avoided. If we live after the flesh, we must die. If we, through the Spirit, mortify the deeds of the body, we shall live. Christ came into the world to save souls, and he will reckon severely with those who hinder the progress of others who are setting their faces heavenward. And shall any of us refuse attention to those whom the Son of God came to seek and to save? A father takes care of all his children, but is particularly tender of the little ones.
vv15-20
If a professed Christian is wronged by another, he ought not to complain of it to others, as is often done merely upon report, but to go to the offender privately, state the matter kindly, and show him his conduct. This would generally have all the desired effect with a true Christian, and the parties would be reconciled. The principles of these rules may be practised every where, and under all circumstances, though they are too much neglected by all. But how few try the method which Christ has expressly enjoined to all his disciples! In all our proceedings we should seek direction in prayer; we cannot too highly prize the promises of God. Wherever and whenever we meet in the name of Christ, we should consider him as present in the midst of us.
Key Words
ἐν (en): "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
ἐκεῖνος (ekeînos): that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
ὥρα (hṓra): an "hour" (literally or figuratively)
μαθητής (mathētḗs): a learner, i.e. pupil
προσέρχομαι (prosérchomai): to approach, i.e. (literally) come near, visit, or (figuratively) worship, assent to
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs): Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites
λέγω (légō): properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas G2036 (ἔπω) and G5346 (φημί) generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while G4483 (ῥέω) is properly to break silence merely, and G2980 (λαλέω) means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean
ἐστί (estí): he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
μείζων (meízōn): larger (literally or figuratively, specially, in age)
βασιλεία (basileía): properly, royalty, i.e. (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)
Cross References
Matthew 18Parallel account of the disciples' dispute about who is the greatest on the way to Capernaum.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
The parallel parable of the lost sheep, emphasizing the Shepherd's diligent search and recovery.
Supported by JFB
The keys, binding, and loosing previously given to Peter are here extended to all the apostles.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Old Testament law requiring two or three witnesses to establish a matter in dispute.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallels the apostolic authority to remit or retain sins, matching binding and loosing.
Supported by JFB
Another instance where the disciples exhibit worldly ambition, seeking chief seats in Christ's kingdom.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel exhortation to sever offending hand, foot, or eye to avoid hell fire.
Supported by John Calvin
Confirms the ministry of angels sent to serve those who will inherit salvation.
Supported by JFB
Parallel instruction on rebuking an offending brother privately and forgiving him upon repentance.
Supported by JFB
Christ's promise of His perpetual presence with His gathered disciples matches 'there am I'.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Old Testament model of a soul quieted and humbled like a weaned child.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallel teaching on receiving Christ's messengers and little ones as receiving Christ Himself.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Earlier instruction in the Sermon on the Mount to pluck out an offending eye.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallel declaration that the Son of man came to seek and save the lost.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Paul's instruction on church assembly action regarding unrepentant, persistent sin.
Supported by JFB
Apostolic instruction to forgive one another even as Christ forgave you.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Illustrates the ancient legal practice of selling a debtor and his children into slavery.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Exhortation to be kind and forgiving, based on God forgiving us in Christ.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The Lord's Prayer link between receiving divine forgiveness and forgiving our debtors.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Identical plea for patience, contrasting the master's mercy with the servant's cruelty.
Supported by Matthew Henry