1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
3 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.
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?
22 Jesus 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.
Overview of Matthew Chapter 18
Matthew Chapter 18 is a significant chapter in the New Testament that addresses various themes such as humility, forgiveness, and the importance of community within the Christian faith. This chapter is structured around several key teachings of Jesus, making it a pivotal part of his ministry.
Key Themes
- Humility and Childlike Faith
- Forgiveness and Reconciliation
- The Importance of Community
- Discipline within the Church
Detailed Analysis
1. Humility and Childlike Faith (Verses 1-5)
In the opening verses, the disciples ask Jesus who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus responds by calling a child to him and stating that unless one becomes like a child, they cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. This emphasizes the qualities of humility, innocence, and dependence that are essential for believers.
- Greatness in the Kingdom: Jesus redefines greatness, suggesting that it is not about power or status but about humility.
- Welcoming the Vulnerable: Jesus highlights the importance of receiving and caring for those who are vulnerable, represented by children.
2. The Seriousness of Causing Others to Sin (Verses 6-9)
Jesus warns against causing others to stumble in their faith. He uses hyperbolic language to stress the severity of leading others into sin, indicating that it would be better for one to suffer harm than to cause another to fall away.
- Accountability: Believers are called to be mindful of their actions and their impact on others.
- Radical Measures: Jesus suggests taking drastic actions to avoid sin, illustrating the seriousness of the issue.
3. The Parable of the Lost Sheep (Verses 10-14)
This parable illustrates God’s love for each individual and His desire for all to be saved. Jesus emphasizes that the shepherd will leave the ninety-nine sheep to find the one that has gone astray.
- Value of Each Individual: Each person is precious to God, and His pursuit of the lost reflects His grace.
- Community Responsibility: The parable encourages the community to care for one another, especially those who are struggling.
4. Forgiveness and Reconciliation (Verses 15-20)
Jesus provides a framework for addressing sin within the community, emphasizing the importance of reconciliation. If a brother or sister sins, the offended party should go to them privately first, and if that fails, they should involve others.
- Steps to Reconciliation: The outlined process encourages direct communication and resolution.
- Community Involvement: Involving others in the process highlights the communal aspect of faith and accountability.
5. The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Verses 21-35)
This parable is a powerful teaching on forgiveness. Peter asks Jesus how many times he should forgive someone who sins against him, and Jesus responds with the parable of a servant who is forgiven a massive debt but fails to forgive a small debt owed to him.
- Magnitude of Forgiveness: The contrast between the debts illustrates the vastness of God’s mercy compared to our grievances against others.
- Consequences of Unforgiveness: The parable warns of the spiritual consequences of failing to forgive, emphasizing that forgiveness is a non-negotiable aspect of the Christian life.
Conclusion
Matthew Chapter 18 serves as a profound teaching on the nature of the Christian community, emphasizing humility, the importance of forgiveness, and the responsibility of believers to care for one another. It challenges followers of Christ to reflect on their attitudes and actions towards others, reinforcing the idea that the kingdom of heaven is built on love, grace, and reconciliation.
