Matthew 18

King James Version

Full text for Matthew Chapter 18

1¶ At 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.›

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

5‹And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.›

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.›

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.›

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.›

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

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 heaven.›

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

21¶ Then 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.›

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

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.›

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

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.›

29‹And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.›

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 lord 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:›

33‹Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?›

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 forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.›

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

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.

Medium Summary

When asked about greatness in the kingdom, Jesus calls a child, declaring that one must convert and humble oneself like a child to enter and be greatest. He issues a severe warning against causing 'little ones' who believe in Him to stumble, stating that a millstone would be preferable to such an offense. Jesus then illustrates the Father's will to save the lost through the parable of a shepherd seeking one stray sheep. He outlines a three-step process for addressing a brother's trespass, involving private confrontation, witnesses, and ultimately the church. In response to Peter's question about forgiveness, Jesus commands forgiveness 'seventy times seven' and tells the parable of a king who forgave a vast debt, only for that servant to refuse to forgive a small debt owed to him, highlighting the consequences of unforgiveness.

Long Summary

The chapter begins with the disciples inquiring of Jesus who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus responds by calling a little child to Him, stating that one must be converted and humble oneself as a little child to enter, and indeed, such a one is greatest. He then pronounces a severe woe upon those who cause 'one of these little ones which believe in me' to stumble, suggesting it were better for them to be drowned with a millstone about their neck. Jesus further emphasizes the seriousness of sin by advocating radical self-amputation if a hand, foot, or eye causes one to offend, to avoid being cast into everlasting fire. He warns against despising these 'little ones,' whose angels do always behold the face of the Father in heaven, and illustrates the Father's desire for none to perish through the parable of a shepherd who leaves ninety-nine sheep to seek one that is lost. Jesus then outlines a three-step process for addressing a brother's trespass: first, private confrontation; second, taking one or two witnesses; and third, telling it unto the church. He grants the church authority to 'bind and loose' and assures that where two or three are gathered in His name, He is present in the midst of them. Peter then asks about the frequency of forgiveness, suggesting seven times. Jesus corrects him, commanding forgiveness 'until seventy times seven.' To underscore this, He recounts the parable of a king who forgave a servant an immense debt of ten thousand talents. This same servant, however, refused to forgive a fellow servant a mere hundred pence, having him cast into prison. Upon hearing this, the king was wroth and delivered the unmerciful servant to tormentors until his entire debt was paid. Jesus concludes by stating that His heavenly Father will likewise deal with those who do not forgive their brothers from their hearts.

Core Concepts

  • Childlike HumilityJesus teaches that to enter and be greatest in the kingdom of heaven, one must be converted and humble oneself like a little child, valuing innocence and dependence over worldly status.
  • Offences and Stumbling BlocksA severe warning is given against causing 'little ones' who believe in Christ to stumble or sin, with Jesus stating it would be better to suffer a terrible physical fate than to be guilty of such an offense.
  • The Lost SheepThis parable illustrates God's profound care and active pursuit of every individual who strays, emphasizing that it is not the Father's will for even one 'little one' to perish.
  • Church DisciplineJesus provides a structured process for reconciliation within the community, beginning with private confrontation, escalating to witness, and finally involving the church, with the ultimate goal of gaining a brother.
  • Unlimited ForgivenessIn response to Peter's question, Jesus commands an extraordinary measure of forgiveness, 'seventy times seven,' signifying a boundless and continuous willingness to pardon others.
  • The Unmerciful ServantThis parable highlights the expectation that those who have received great forgiveness from God must, in turn, extend similar mercy and forgiveness to others, lest they face severe consequences for their lack of compassion.
  • Binding and LoosingJesus grants authority to His disciples and the church to make decisions on earth that are recognized in heaven, particularly in matters of discipline and reconciliation within the community.