Matthew 18:1-35 King James Version
The Kingdom of Heaven, Parable of the Lost Sheep, Sin in the Church, The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
Matthew 18:1-35 King James Version. Matthew 18 contains essential teachings about life within the Kingdom of Heaven, focusing on humility, care for the lost, communal discipline, and forgiveness.
The chapter underscores the need for humility and childlike faith, the immense value of each individual to God, the importance of reconciliation and proper handling of sin within the community, and the necessity of boundless forgiveness. It invites believers to embody these principles in their relationships with one another, reflecting the character and values of the Kingdom of Heaven.
The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven
Matthew 18:1-5. The disciples ask Jesus who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus calls a little child to Him and says that unless they change and become like little children, they will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven. He explains that whoever humbles themselves like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever welcomes a little child in His name welcomes Him.
Jesus emphasizes the importance of humility and childlike faith. True greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven is marked by humility, simplicity, and a trusting dependence on God, akin to the qualities of a child.
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
Matthew 18:10-14. Jesus tells a parable about a shepherd who has a hundred sheep and leaves the ninety-nine on the hills to search for the one that wandered off. He rejoices more over the one found than over the ninety-nine that did not wander. Similarly, God does not want any of these little ones to perish.
This parable illustrates God’s immense love and care for each individual, especially those who have gone astray. It underscores the value of every person and God’s desire for their repentance and return.
Dealing with Sin in the Church
Matthew 18:15-20. Jesus provides instructions for handling sin among believers. If someone sins against you, confront them privately. If they listen, you have won them over. If they do not listen, take one or two others along. If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church. If they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or tax collector. Jesus assures that whatever is bound or loosed on earth will be bound or loosed in heaven, and where two or three gather in His name, He is there with them.
This passage outlines a process for reconciliation and discipline within the Christian community, emphasizing the importance of addressing sin with the aim of restoration. It also highlights the authority given to the church in matters of discipline and the presence of Christ in communal gatherings.
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
Matthew 18:21-35. Peter asks Jesus how many times he should forgive someone who sins against him, suggesting up to seven times. Jesus replies, “seventy-seven times,” indicating limitless forgiveness. He then tells a parable about a king who forgives a servant’s enormous debt. However, that servant refuses to forgive a fellow servant’s small debt. When the king hears of this, he punishes the unforgiving servant. Jesus concludes that the Father will treat each of them in a similar way if they do not forgive their brother or sister from their heart.
This parable teaches the necessity of forgiveness, reflecting God’s boundless mercy toward us. It emphasizes that those who have experienced God’s forgiveness must also extend forgiveness to others. The severe consequences for the unforgiving servant highlight the seriousness of harboring unforgiveness.
Matthew 18:1-35 King James Version
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.
