The Gospels · Chapter 18 of 28
Matthew 18
Jesus teaches his disciples about greatness in the kingdom, calling them to humble themselves like a little child. He warns against causing others to stumble, tells of the shepherd who seeks one lost sheep, gives careful instruction for restoring an erring brother, and, answering Peter, commands unlimited forgiveness, illustrated by the sobering parable of the unforgiving servant.
What happens in Matthew 18
When the disciples ask who is greatest in the kingdom, Jesus sets a child among them and says they must be converted and become as little children to enter at all. He warns solemnly against causing one of these little ones to stumble, using stark images of millstones and self-denial. God's care reaches every straying one, as a shepherd leaves ninety-nine to seek a single lost sheep, unwilling that even one should perish. Jesus then gives a careful process for restoring a brother who sins, moving from private word to witnesses to the church, and grants the community authority to bind and loose.
Where two or three gather in his name, he is present. Peter asks how often to forgive, suggesting seven times, and Jesus answers seventy times seven. The parable of the servant forgiven a vast debt who then chokes a fellow servant over a tiny one shows that the forgiven must forgive from the heart.
Matthew 18 in context
This is the fourth of Matthew's five great discourses, often called the teaching on community or church life. Jesus prepares his followers for life together after his departure. The child in that culture had no status or rights, making Jesus's choice pointed.
The debt of ten thousand talents was an unpayable fortune, while a hundred pence was a modest sum, sharpening the parable's contrast.
Main themes of Matthew 18
Matthew 18 (KJV)
1At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. 6But 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. 7Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! 8Wherefore 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. 9And 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. 10Take 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. 11For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. 12How 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? 13And 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. 14Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. 15Moreover 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. 16But 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. 17And 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. 18Verily 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. 19Again 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. 20For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. 21Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. 23Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 25But 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. 26The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 28But 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. 29And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32Then 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: 33Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 35So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
Verses to carry from Matthew 18
“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.”Matthew 18:3
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”Matthew 18:20
“Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?”Matthew 18:21
Direct words of Jesus
How Matthew 18 points to Jesus
Jesus stands at the center of this community he is forming. It is in his name that a child is received, that two or three gather, and that he himself is present in their midst. His authority undergirds their forgiving and restoring. Yet the deepest word here is the mercy he embodies. The king who forgives an unpayable debt pictures God's forgiveness through Christ, who would soon pay what his people never could.
He came to save that which was lost, the very heart of the seeking shepherd. Every call to forgive from the heart rests on the mercy first received from him. Because he absorbs the crushing debt at the cross, his followers can release the small debts owed them. His presence, his name, and his mercy hold the whole community together.
Questions about Matthew 18
Does seventy times seven mean forgiving exactly that many times?
No, the number means forgiveness without counting. Peter thought seven times was generous, but Jesus multiplies it beyond any tally to say that mercy keeps no ledger. The point is settled by the parable that follows, where one forgiven an immeasurable debt has no ground to withhold forgiveness. Kingdom forgiveness flows from the heart because it mirrors the limitless mercy we ourselves have received.
What does it mean that Jesus is present where two or three gather?
Jesus promises his real presence to even the smallest gathering met in his name, not merely in his memory. This assures a community that will soon lose his visible company that he remains with them as they pray, agree, and act in his authority. It also grounds the seriousness of their decisions, since he stands among them, making even humble fellowship holy ground.
Reflection
It is easy to prize the mercy we receive and forget the small mercies others need from us. Consider the debt God has forgiven you, then the grudge you still hold. The forgiven who will not forgive have not yet felt the weight of grace. Release it from the heart.
A prayer from Matthew 18
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