Bible Commentaries

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 18

Introduction

1  Christ warns his disciples to be humble and harmless,
7  to avoid offences,
10  and not to despise the little ones;
15  teaches how we are to deal with our brethren when they offend us,
21  and how oft to forgive them;
23  which he sets forth by a parable of the king that took account of his servants,
32  and punished him who shewed no mercy to his fellow.

Verse 1

At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
the same
Mark 9:33-37
Who
20:20-28, 23:11, Mark 9:34, 10:35-45, Luke 9:46-48, 22:24-27, Romans 12:10, Philippians 2:3
in
3:2, 5:19,20, 7:21, Mark 10:14,15

Verses 1-6

At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
the same
Mark 9:33-37
Who
20:20-28, 23:11, Mark 9:34, 10:35-45, Luke 9:46-48, 22:24-27, Romans 12:10, Philippians 2:3
in
3:2, 5:19,20, 7:21, Mark 10:14,15

Verse 2

And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
19:13,14, 1 Kings 3:7, Jeremiah 1:7, Mark 9:36,37

Verse 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.
Verily
5:18, 6:2,5,16, John 1:51, 3:3
Except
13:15, Psalms 51:10-13, 131:2, Isaiah 6:10, Mark 4:12, Luke 22:32, Acts 3:19, Acts 28:27, James 5:19,20
and become
Mark 10:14,15, Luke 18:16,17, 1 Corinthians 14:20, 1 Peter 2:2
enter
5:20, 19:23, Luke 13:24, John 3:5, Acts 14:22, 2 Peter 1:11

Verse 4

Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
humble
23:11,12, Psalms 131:1,2, Isaiah 57:15, Luke 14:11, 1 Peter 5:5, James 4:10
greatest
1, 20:26,27, Mark 10:43, Luke 9:48

Verse 5

And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
receive
10:40-42, 25:40,45, Mark 9:41, Luke 9:48, 17:1,2
receiveth
Mark 9:37, John 13:20, Galatians 4:14

Verse 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.
offend
Psalms 105:15, Zechariah 2:8, Mark 9:42, Luke 17:1,2, Acts 9:5, Romans 14:13-15,21, Romans 15:1-3, 1 Corinthians 8:9-13, 10:32,33, 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9
little
10,14, Zechariah 13:7, Luke 17:2
that a
This mode of punishment appears to have obtained in Syria as well as in Greece, especially in cases of parricide. That it was customary in Greece we learn from Suidas, in [hyperbolon lithon] and the scholiast on the Equites of Aristophanes: [Hotan gar

Verse 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!
unto
Genesis 13:7, 1 Samuel 2:17,22-25, 2 Samuel 12:14, Luke 17:1, Romans 2:23,24, 1 Timothy 5:14,15, 6:1, Titus 2:5,8, 2 Peter 2:2
for
Mark 13:7, Acts 1:16, 1 Corinthians 11:19, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12, 1 Timothy 4:1-3, 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 2 Timothy 4:3,4, Jude 1:4
but
13:41,42, 23:13-28, 26:24, John 17:12, Acts 1:18-20, 2 Peter 2:3,15-17, Jude 1:11-13, Revelation 2:14,15,20-23, 19:20,21

Verses 7-9

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!
unto
Genesis 13:7, 1 Samuel 2:17,22-25, 2 Samuel 12:14, Luke 17:1, Romans 2:23,24, 1 Timothy 5:14,15, 6:1, Titus 2:5,8, 2 Peter 2:2
for
Mark 13:7, Acts 1:16, 1 Corinthians 11:19, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12, 1 Timothy 4:1-3, 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 2 Timothy 4:3,4, Jude 1:4
but
13:41,42, 23:13-28, 26:24, John 17:12, Acts 1:18-20, 2 Peter 2:3,15-17, Jude 1:11-13, Revelation 2:14,15,20-23, 19:20,21

Verse 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.
if
5:29,30, 14:3,4, Deuteronomy 13:6-8, Mark 9:43-48, Luke 14:26,27,33, 18:22,23
and cast
Isaiah 2:20,21, 30:22, Ezekiel 18:31, Romans 13:12, Philippians 3:8,9
maimed
15:30,31
everlasting
25:41,46, Isaiah 33:14, Mark 9:48,49, Luke 16:24, 2 Thessalonians 1:8,9, Revelation 14:10, Revelation 20:15, 21:8

Verse 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.
to enter
19:17,23,24, Acts 14:22, Hebrews 4:11, Revelation 21:27
rather
16:26, Luke 9:24,25

Verse 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.
heed
6,14, 12:20, Psalms 15:4, Zechariah 4:10, Luke 10:16, Romans 14:1-3,10,13-15,21, Romans 15:1, 1 Corinthians 8:8-13, 9:22, 11:22, 16:11, 2 Corinthians 10:1,10, Galatians 4:13,14, 6:1, 1 Thessalonians 4:8, 1 Timothy 4:12
their
1:20, 2:13,19, 24:31, Genesis 32:1,2, 2 Kings 6:16,17, Psalms 34:7, 91:11, Zechariah 13:7, Luke 16:22, Acts 5:19, 10:3, 12:7-11,23, 27:23, Hebrews 1:14
behold
2 Samuel 14:28, 1 Kings 22:19, Esther 1:14, Psalms 17:15, Luke 1:19

Verse 11

For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
9:12,13, 10:6, 15:24, Luke 9:56, 15:24,32, 19:10, John 3:17, 10:10, John 12:47, 1 Timothy 1:15

Verse 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?
How
21:28, 22:42, 1 Corinthians 10:15
if
12:11, Psalms 119:176, Isaiah 53:6, Jeremiah 50:6, Ezekiel 34:16,28, Luke 15:4-7, John 10:11-21, 1 Peter 2:25
into
1 Kings 21:17, Ezekiel 34:6,12

Verse 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.
he rejoiceth
Psalms 147:11, Isaiah 53:11, 62:5, Jeremiah 32:37-41, Micah 7:18, Zephaniah 3:17, Luke 15:5-10,23,24, John 4:34-36, James 2:13

Verse 14

Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
it is
Luke 12:32, John 6:39,40, 10:27-30, 17:12, Romans 8:28-39, Ephesians 1:5-7, 1 Peter 1:3-5
your
5:16, 6:9,32
one
Isaiah 40:11, Zechariah 13:7, John 21:15, 1 Corinthians 8:11-13, 2 Timothy 2:10, Hebrews 12:13, 2 Peter 3:9

Verse 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.
if
35, Leviticus 6:2-7, Luke 17:3,4, 1 Corinthians 6:6-8, 8:12, 2 Corinthians 7:12, Colossians 3:13, 1 Thessalonians 4:6
go
Leviticus 19:17, Psalms 141:5, Proverbs 25:9,10
thou hast
Proverbs 11:30, Romans 12:21, 1 Corinthians 9:19-21, James 5:19,20, 1 Peter 3:1

Verse 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.
that in
Numbers 35:30, Deuteronomy 17:6, 19:15, 1 Kings 21:13, John 8:17, 2 Corinthians 13:1, 1 Timothy 5:19, Hebrews 10:28, 1 John 5:7,8, Revelation 11:3

Verse 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.
tell
Acts 6:1-3, 15:6,7, 1 Corinthians 5:4,5, 6:1-4, 2 Corinthians 2:6,7, 3 John 1:9,10
let
Romans 16:17,18, 1 Corinthians 5:3-5,9-13, 2 Thessalonians 3:6,14,15, 1 Timothy 6:5, 2 John 1:10,11
an heathen
6:7, Ezra 6:21, Ezekiel 11:12, 2 Corinthians 6:14-17, Ephesians 4:17-19, 5:11,12
a publican
5:46, 11:19, 21:31,32, Luke 15:1, 18:11, 19:2,3

Verse 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.
16:19, John 20:23, Acts 15:23-31, 1 Corinthians 5:4,5, 2 Corinthians 2:10, Revelation 3:7,8

Verse 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.
That if
5:24, 21:22, Mark 11:24, John 15:7,16, Acts 1:14, 2:1,2, 4:24-31, 6:4, Acts 12:5, Ephesians 6:18-20, Philippians 1:19, James 5:14-16, 1 John 3:22, 5:14-16, Revelation 11:4-6
it shall
John 14:13,14, 16:23

Verse 20

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
two
Genesis 49:10, John 20:19,26, 1 Corinthians 5:4, 1 Thessalonians 1:1, Philemon 1:2
there
28:20, Exodus 20:24, Zechariah 2:5, John 8:58, Revelation 1:11-13, 2:1, 21:3

Verse 21

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
till
15, Luke 17:3,4

Verse 22

Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
but
6:11,12,14,15, Isaiah 55:7, Micah 7:19, Mark 11:25,26, Romans 12:21, Ephesians 4:26,31,32, 5:1, Colossians 3:13, 1 Timothy 2:8

Verse 23

Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
is
3:2, 13:24,31,33,44,45,47,52, 25:1,14
which
25:19-30, Luke 16:1,2, 19:12-27, Romans 14:12, 1 Corinthians 4:5, 2 Corinthians 5:10,11

Verse 24

And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
owed
Luke 7:41,42, 13:4; *marg:; Luke 16:5,7
ten thousand
[nton]
1 Chronicles 29:7, Ezra 9:6, Psalms 38:4, 40:12, 130:3,4
talents
"A talent is 750 ounces of silver, which after five shillings the ounce is 187£. 10s."

Verse 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.
commanded
Leviticus 25:39, 2 Kings 4:1, Nehemiah 5:5,8, Isaiah 50:1

Verse 26

The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
worshipped him
or, besought him. have.
29, Luke 7:43, Romans 10:3

Verse 27

Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
moved
Judges 10:16, Nehemiah 9:17, Psalms 78:38, 86:5,15, 145:8, Hosea 11:8

Verse 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.
an hundred
Rather, "a hundred denarii," as our penny does not convey one seventh of the meaning. This would amount to about 3£. 2s. 6d. English; which was not one six hundred thousandth part of the 10,000 talents, even calculating them as Roman talents.
pence
"The Roman penny is the eighth part of an ounce, which after five shillings the ounce is sevenpence halfpenny."
20:2
and took
Deuteronomy 15:2, Nehemiah 5:7,10,11, 10:31, Isaiah 58:3, Ezekiel 45:9

Verse 29

And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
Have
26, 6:12, Philemon 1:18,19

Verse 30

And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
but
1 Kings 21:27-29, 22:27

Verse 31

So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
they
Psalms 119:136,158, Jeremiah 9:1, Mark 3:5, Luke 19:41, Romans 9:1-3, 12:15, 2 Corinthians 11:21, Hebrews 13:3
and came
Genesis 37:2, Luke 14:21, Hebrews 13:17

Verse 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:
O thou
25:26, Luke 19:22, Romans 3:19

Verse 33

Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
even
5:44,45, Luke 6:35,36, Ephesians 4:32, 5:1,2, Colossians 3:13

Verse 34

And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
and delivered
5:25,26, Luke 12:58,59, 2 Thessalonians 1:8,9, Revelation 14:10,11

Verse 35

So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
do
6:12,14,15, 7:1,2, Proverbs 21:13, Mark 11:26, Luke 6:37,38, James 2:13
from
Proverbs 21:2, Jeremiah 3:10, Zechariah 7:12, Luke 16:15, James 3:14, 4:8, Revelation 2:23

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