Matthew 18:23

Authorized King James Version

Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
Διὰ
G1223
Therefore
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
#2
τοῦτο
G5124
that thing
#3
ὡμοιώθη
G3666
likened
to assimilate, i.e., compare; passively, to become similar
#4
ἡ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#5
βασιλεία
G932
is the kingdom
properly, royalty, i.e., (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)
#6
τῶν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#7
οὐρανῶν
G3772
of heaven
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
#8
ἀνθρώπῳ
G444
unto a certain
man-faced, i.e., a human being
#9
βασιλεῖ
G935
king
a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)
#10
ὃς
G3739
which
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
#11
ἠθέλησεν
G2309
would
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),
#12
συνᾶραι
G4868
take
to make up together, i.e., (figuratively) to compute (an account)
#13
λόγον
G3056
account
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
#14
μετὰ
G3326
of
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
#15
τῶν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#16
δούλων
G1401
servants
a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)
#17
αὐτοῦ
G846
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Analysis

The kingdom of God theme here intersects with the progressive revelation of God's rule from creation to consummation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of development from creation mandate through Davidic kingdom to eschatological fulfillment. The phrase emphasizing kingdom relates to eschatology and the ultimate purpose of God's redemptive plan and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's reign from creation through the millennial kingdom.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of Jewish biographical literature presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of Scripture shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of kingdom of God within the theological tradition of Matthew Understanding a worldview expecting divine intervention through a promised Messiah helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes kingdom in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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