Matthew18

Jesus teaches His disciples about true greatness in the kingdom of heaven, emphasizing the necessity of childlike humility. He sternly warns against causing 'little ones' to stumble and illustrates God's diligent care for the lost through the parable of the lost sheep. The chapter also provides instructions for church discipline and reconciliation among believers. Finally, Jesus stresses the paramount importance of unlimited forgiveness, exemplified by the parable of the unmerciful servant.

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Humility and Greatness in the Kingdom

In that hour came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

And he called to him a little child, and set him in the midst of them,

and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye turn, and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me:

Warnings Against Causing Others to Stumble

but whoso shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to stumble, it is profitable for him that a great millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depth of the sea.

Woe unto the world because of occasions of stumbling! for it must needs be that the occasions come; but woe to that man through whom the occasion cometh!

And if thy hand or thy foot causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from thee: it is good for thee to enter into life maimed or halt, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the eternal fire.

And if thine eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is good for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the hell of fire.

The Value of the Little Ones (The Lost Sheep)

See 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 who is in heaven.

Not present in the manuscripts this translation follows.

How think ye? if any man have a hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and go unto the mountains, and seek that which goeth astray?

And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth over it more than over the ninety and nine which have not gone astray.

Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

Addressing Sin in the Community

And if thy brother sin against thee, go, show him his fault between thee and him alone: if he hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

But if he hear thee not, take with thee one or two more, that at the mouth of two witnesses or three every word may be established.

And if he refuse to hear them, tell it unto the church: and if he refuse to hear the church also, let him be unto thee as the Gentile and the publican.

Verily I say unto you, What things soever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and what things soever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father who is in heaven.

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

The Necessity of Forgiveness

Then came Peter and said to him, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? until seven times?

Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times; but, Until seventy times seven.

Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, who would make a reckoning with his servants.

And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, that owed him ten thousand talents.

But forasmuch as he had not wherewith to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

The servant therefore fell down and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

And the lord of that servant, being moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.

But that servant went out, and found one of his fellow-servants, who owed him a hundred shillings: and he laid hold on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay what thou owest.

So his fellow-servant fell down and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee.

And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay that which was due.

So when his fellow-servants saw what was done, they were exceeding sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

Then his lord called him unto him, and saith to him, Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou besoughtest me:

shouldest not thou also have had mercy on thy fellow-servant, even as I had mercy on thee?

And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due.

So shall also my heavenly Father do unto you, if ye forgive not every one his brother from your hearts.

Study Notes for Matthew 18

Verse 1

The disciples’ question about 'greatness' demonstrates their continued struggle with worldly ambition, contrasting sharply with Jesus’ repeated emphasis on servanthood (cf. Matt 16:24).

Verse 3

To be 'converted' (Gr. *strephō*) means to be turned around. Jesus insists that entry into the kingdom requires adopting the trusting dependence and lack of worldly status characteristic of a young child.

Verse 6

The 'little ones' refers primarily to vulnerable believers, not just literal children. The millstone punishment was reserved for the most heinous offenses, illustrating the seriousness of leading others into sin (*skandalizō*).

Verse 7

Jesus acknowledges that offenses (*skandala*, stumbling blocks) are inevitable in a fallen world, but pronounces a severe 'woe' on the person who actively introduces them.

Verse 8

This hyperbolic teaching emphasizes the radical, painful action necessary to sever oneself from persistent sin and avoid eternal judgment. The focus is on the radical commitment required for discipleship.

Verse 10

This verse reinforces the immense value God places on the humblest believer. The reference to 'their angels' observing God’s face suggests that these vulnerable believers are under constant, direct divine care.

Verse 11

Although absent in some important early manuscripts, this verse summarizes Jesus’ mission statement, providing the theological basis for the following parable.

Verse 12

The Parable of the Lost Sheep illustrates the active, seeking love of God (the Shepherd) for the individual who has wandered, reinforcing the theme that God seeks out the 'little ones' who are lost.

Verse 14

The conclusion of the parable confirms that God’s will is centered on the preservation and salvation of every single person who belongs to him.

Verse 15

This passage outlines the three-step process of church discipline. The emphasis is on private reconciliation as the first step, aimed at restoration: 'thou hast gained thy brother.'

Verse 16

This step is based on the legal requirement of the Mosaic Law (Deut 19:15) regarding witnesses, ensuring accountability and fairness in the communal confrontation.

Verse 17

The final step involves telling 'the church' (*ekklēsia*), indicating the community’s ultimate authority. Treating the unrepentant as a 'heathen man and a publican' means withdrawing fellowship, not personal hatred.

Verse 18

The authority to 'bind and loose' (a rabbinic term meaning to forbid or permit actions based on divine law) is here granted to the community, validating their decisions regarding discipline and doctrine.

Verse 20

A foundational verse on Christian fellowship, assuring believers that Christ’s real presence is guaranteed when they gather together specifically in his name and authority.

Verse 21

Peter’s suggestion of 'seven times' was generous by contemporary Jewish standards, which often limited forgiveness to three times. He expected Jesus to praise his liberality.

Verse 22

'Seventy times seven' (490 times) is a symbolic number signifying unlimited, continuous forgiveness. Jesus demands that divine mercy, not human arithmetic, must govern relationships.

Verse 24

Ten thousand talents represents an astronomical, unpayable debt (millions of denarii). This extreme exaggeration emphasizes the infinite magnitude of the debt humanity owes to God.

Verse 27

The lord’s compassion is an act of sheer grace, mirroring God’s unconditional forgiveness of human sin.

Verse 28

One hundred pence (denarii) was a comparatively small debt, perhaps 100 days' wages. The stark contrast between the two debts highlights the first servant's wicked hypocrisy and cruelty.

Verse 34

The 'tormentors' were jailers who inflicted pain to force payment. This illustrates the severity of judgment reserved for those who receive divine mercy but refuse to extend it to others.

Verse 35

The parable’s conclusion shows that while forgiveness is a gift, it must be reflected in our hearts and actions. Failure to forgive others demonstrates a fundamental lack of understanding or acceptance of God’s own boundless mercy.

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Matthew18

Humility and Greatness in the Kingdom

Warnings Against Causing Others to Stumble

The Value of the Little Ones (The Lost Sheep)

Addressing Sin in the Community

The Necessity of Forgiveness

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