Matthew 18
Who Is the Greatest?
1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Kingdom: Matthew 7:21. Parallel theme: Matthew 23:11, Romans 12:10, Philippians 2:3
2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Kingdom: Matthew 5:20, 19:14, John 3:3, 3:5. Parallel theme: Psalms 131:2, Luke 13:24, Acts 3:19, 28:27, 1 Corinthians 14:20, 1 Peter 2:2 +5
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Kingdom: Matthew 18:1. Parallel theme: Isaiah 57:15, Mark 10:43, Luke 9:48, 14:11, James 4:10, 1 Peter 5:5 +2
5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
Temptations to Sin
6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. Parallel theme: Matthew 1:20, 2:13, 2:19, 18:6, 18:14, 24:31, Psalms 34:7, 91:11, Luke 16:22, Hebrews 1:14 +5
11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?
13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Parallel theme: Zephaniah 3:17, James 2:13
14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heavenHeaven: οὐρανός (Ouranos). The Greek ouranos (οὐρανός) denotes heaven—God's throne and the believer's eternal home. Jesus taught His disciples to pray 'Our Father which art in heaven' (Matthew 6:9) and promised to prepare a place there (John 14:2)., that one of these little ones should perish.
If Your Brother Sins Against You
15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heavenHeaven: οὐρανός (Ouranos). The Greek ouranos (οὐρανός) denotes heaven—God's throne and the believer's eternal home. Jesus taught His disciples to pray 'Our Father which art in heaven' (Matthew 6:9) and promised to prepare a place there (John 14:2).. Parallel theme: Matthew 7:7, 21:22, Mark 11:24, John 15:7, 15:16, 16:23, Acts 1:14, 12:5, Philippians 1:19, 1 John 3:22 +5
20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Parallel theme: Matthew 28:20, Genesis 49:10, Exodus 20:24, Zechariah 2:5, John 20:19, 20:26, 1 Corinthians 5:4, Philemon 1:2, Revelation 2:1, 21:3 +5
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Parallel theme: Matthew 18:15
22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Parallel theme: Genesis 4:24, Isaiah 55:7, Micah 7:19, Mark 11:25, Romans 12:21, Ephesians 4:26, Colossians 3:13, 1 Timothy 2:8 +3
23 Therefore is the kingdomKingdom: βασιλεία (Basileia). The Greek basileia (βασιλεία) means kingdom—both the realm ruled and the exercise of royal authority. The 'kingdom of God' is central to Jesus' teaching, representing God's saving rule breaking into history. of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. Kingdom: Matthew 3:2, 13:24, 13:47. Parallel theme: Romans 14:12
24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. References Lord: 2 Kings 4:1. Parallel theme: Leviticus 25:39, Nehemiah 5:5, 5:8, Luke 7:42
26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Worship: Matthew 8:2. Parallel theme: Matthew 18:29, Luke 7:43
27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. Parallel theme: Matthew 20:2, Deuteronomy 15:2, Ezekiel 45:9
29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Parallel theme: Matthew 6:12, 18:26
30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lordLord: Κύριος (Kurios). The Greek Kurios (Κύριος) means 'lord' or 'master,' used both for human masters and divinely for God the Father and Jesus Christ. Its application to Jesus affirms His deity, as it translates YHWH in the Septuagint. all that was done.
32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Evil: Matthew 25:26, Luke 19:22. Parallel theme: Romans 3:19
33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? Parallel theme: Matthew 6:12, Colossians 3:13
34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgiveForgive: ἀφίημι (Aphiemi). The Greek aphiemi (ἀφίημι) means to send away or release—canceling a debt or dismissing an offense. Jesus taught us to pray 'forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors' (Matthew 6:12). not every one his brother their trespasses. Parallel theme: Matthew 6:12, Proverbs 21:2, 21:13, Jeremiah 3:10, Zechariah 7:12, Mark 11:25, Luke 16:15, James 2:13, 3:14, Revelation 2:23 +5