Matthew 18:19

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 heaven.

Again {G3825} I say {G3004} unto you {G5213}, That {G3754} if {G1437} two {G1417} of you {G5216} shall agree {G4856} on {G1909} earth {G1093} as touching {G4012} any {G3956} thing {G4229} that {G3739}{G1437} they shall ask {G154}, it shall be done {G1096} for them {G846} of {G3844} my {G3450} Father {G3962} which {G3588} is in {G1722} heaven {G3772}.

To repeat, I tell you that if two of you here on earth agree about anything people ask, it will be for them from my Father in heaven.

Again, I tell you truly that if two of you on the earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father 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.

Matthew 18:19 is a profound statement by Jesus, assuring His disciples of the power of united prayer. It emphasizes the Father's responsiveness to petitions made in agreement on earth, underscoring the spiritual authority and privilege granted to believers when they come together in faith.

Context

This verse is part of Jesus' "Kingdom Discourse" in Matthew 18, which primarily addresses themes of humility, forgiveness, and the conduct within the community of believers. It directly follows Jesus' teaching on church discipline and reconciliation, where He grants the church authority to "bind and loose" (Matthew 18:18). Verse 19 then transitions into the well-known promise of Jesus' presence when believers gather (Matthew 18:20), linking the authority of the church with the efficacy of corporate prayer.

Key Themes

  • The Power of Agreement in Prayer: The core message is that unified prayer has a special efficacy before God. When believers are in harmony concerning a request, God promises to act.
  • Corporate Prayer: This verse highlights the importance and power of prayer offered by a group, not just individuals. It encourages communal spiritual effort.
  • God's Responsiveness: It affirms the Heavenly Father's willingness to hear and grant the requests of His children, especially when they are united in purpose.
  • Divine Authority and Presence: While often read as a general promise about prayer, its immediate context within the discourse on church discipline suggests that this agreement in prayer is tied to the spiritual authority given to the community of believers to deal with matters of faith and conduct.

Linguistic Insights

The key word in this verse is "agree," which in Greek is symphōneō (συμφωνέω). This word literally means "to sound together," from which we get our English word "symphony." It implies a harmony of voices, minds, and spirits—a unity of purpose and intention. This isn't merely a casual consensus but a deep, spiritual alignment in prayer, reflecting a common heart and mind directed toward God.

Practical Application

Matthew 18:19 encourages believers to engage in united and harmonious prayer. It teaches that there is unique power when Christians set aside differences and come together to seek God's will. However, this promise is not a blank check for any desire; true agreement in prayer implies seeking things that align with God's character and purpose, as taught throughout Scripture (e.g., John 15:7). It applies to:

  • Church Decisions: Seeking God's wisdom for the direction and challenges of the church community.
  • Intercession: Praying together for specific needs, individuals, or global concerns.
  • Personal Needs: When individuals seek prayer support from fellow believers, bringing their burdens before God in unity.
This verse reminds us that unity in prayer is a powerful spiritual discipline, inviting God's active involvement in our lives and communities.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 7:7

    Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

  • 1 John 5:14

    ¶ And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

  • 1 John 5:16

    If any man see his brother sin a sin [which is] not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

  • Mark 11:24

    Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive [them], and ye shall have [them].

  • John 14:13

    And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

  • John 14:14

    If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do [it].

  • John 16:23

    And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give [it] you.

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