Bible Commentaries
Matthew 18

Introduction

Overview

Matthew 18:1, Christ warns his disciples to be humble and harmless, Matthew 18:7, to avoid offences, Matthew 18:10. and not to despise the little ones; Matthew 18:15, teaches how we are to deal with our brethren when they offend us, Matthew 18:21. and how oft to forgive them; Matthew 18:23, which he sets forth by a parable of the king that took account of his servants, Matthew 18:32. and punished him who shewed no mercy to his fellow.

Verse 1

the same: Mark 9:33-37

Who: Matthew 20:20-28, Matthew 23:11, Mark 9:34, Mark 10:35-45, Luke 9:46-48, Luke 22:24-27, Romans 12:10, Philippians 2:3

in: Matthew 3:2, Matthew 5:19, Matthew 5:20, Matthew 7:21, Mark 10:14, Mark 10:15

Reciprocal: Matthew 5:3 - the poor Matthew 18:4 - greatest Matthew 20:21 - Grant Acts 8:19 - General Romans 12:3 - not to Romans 12:16 - Mind

Verse 2

Matthew 19:13, Matthew 19:14, 1 Kings 3:7, Jeremiah 1:7, Mark 9:36, Mark 9:37

Reciprocal: Psalms 34:11 - Come Matthew 7:13 - at Luke 9:47 - took

Verse 3

Verily: Matthew 5:18, Matthew 6:2, Matthew 6:5, Matthew 6:16, John 1:51, John 3:3

Except: Matthew 13:15, Psalms 51:10-13, Psalms 131:2, Isaiah 6:10, Mark 4:12, Luke 22:32, Acts 3:19, Acts 28:27, James 5:19, James 5:20

and become: Mark 10:14, Mark 10:15, Luke 18:16, Luke 18:17, 1 Corinthians 14:20, 1 Peter 2:2

enter: Matthew 5:20, Matthew 19:23, Luke 13:24, John 3:5, Acts 14:22, 2 Peter 1:11

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 3:7 - a little Psalms 51:13 - converted Matthew 7:13 - at Matthew 7:21 - shall Matthew 10:42 - one Matthew 11:25 - and hast Matthew 19:14 - for Matthew 20:25 - called Matthew 21:31 - Verily Mark 9:37 - receive one Mark 10:23 - enter Luke 17:2 - one Luke 22:26 - General John 6:53 - Except Acts 8:31 - How Acts 18:26 - expounded Ephesians 4:14 - no more

Verse 4

humble: Matthew 23:11, Matthew 23:12, Psalms 131:1, Psalms 131:2, Isaiah 57:15, Luke 14:11, 1 Peter 5:5, James 4:10

greatest: Matthew 18:1, Matthew 20:26, Matthew 20:27, Mark 10:43, Luke 9:48

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 15:17 - When thou 1 Kings 3:7 - a little Proverbs 29:23 - honour Jeremiah 13:18 - Humble Matthew 11:25 - and hast Matthew 20:25 - called Mark 10:14 - for Luke 18:16 - for Acts 8:31 - How Acts 10:33 - are we Acts 18:26 - expounded 1 Corinthians 3:18 - let Ephesians 4:14 - no more

Verse 5

receive: Matthew 10:40-42, Matthew 25:40, Matthew 25:45, Mark 9:41, Luke 9:48, Luke 17:1, Luke 17:2

receiveth: Mark 9:37, John 13:20, Galatians 4:14

Reciprocal: Proverbs 25:9 - with Matthew 5:20 - ye Matthew 10:14 - whosoever Luke 10:16 - heareth you John 1:12 - received Romans 14:1 - receive Philemon 1:17 - receive

Verse 6

offend: Psalms 105:15, Zechariah 2:8, Mark 9:42, Luke 17:1, Luke 17:2, Acts 9:5, Romans 14:13-15, Romans 14:21, Romans 15:1-3, 1 Corinthians 8:9-13, 1 Corinthians 10:32, 1 Corinthians 10:33, 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9

little: Matthew 18:10, Matthew 18:14, 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 ץנוסגןכןם כיטןם, and the scholiast on the Equites of Aristophanes: פבם [Strong's G3752], דבס [Strong's G1063], ךבפונןםפשם [Strong's G2671], פיםבע [Strong's G5099], גבסןע [Strong's G922], בנן [Strong's G575], פשם פסבקחכשם [Strong's G5137], וךסולשם [Strong's G2910]. "When a person was drowned, they hung a weight about his neck."

Reciprocal: Exodus 15:5 - depths Deuteronomy 22:8 - thou bring Psalms 73:15 - offend Matthew 5:30 - offend Matthew 25:40 - the least Mark 14:21 - good Luke 9:48 - Whosoever shall receive this Romans 14:20 - For 1 Corinthians 9:15 - for 2 Corinthians 6:3 - General Philippians 1:10 - without Philippians 2:4 - General

Verse 7

unto: Genesis 13:7, 1 Samuel 2:17, 1 Samuel 2:22-25, 2 Samuel 12:14, Luke 17:1, Romans 2:23, Romans 2:24, 1 Timothy 5:14, 1 Timothy 5:15, 1 Timothy 6:1, Titus 2:5, Titus 2:8, 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, 2 Timothy 4:4, Jude 1:4

but: Matthew 13:41, Matthew 13:42, Matthew 23:13-28, Matthew 26:24, John 17:12, Acts 1:18-20, 2 Peter 2:3, 2 Peter 2:15-17, Jude 1:11 -13; Revelation 2:14, Revelation 2:15, Revelation 2:20-23, Revelation 19:20, Revelation 19:21

Reciprocal: Numbers 32:15 - ye shall Deuteronomy 22:8 - thou bring 1 Samuel 2:24 - ye make 1 Kings 14:16 - who did sin Psalms 73:15 - offend Matthew 5:30 - offend Matthew 11:6 - whosoever Matthew 11:21 - Woe Matthew 16:23 - thou art Mark 14:21 - but Romans 14:13 - put Romans 14:21 - whereby Romans 16:17 - offences 1 Corinthians 8:9 - take Philippians 1:10 - without 1 John 2:10 - occasion of stumbling

Verse 8

if: Matthew 5:29, Matthew 5:30, Matthew 14:3, Matthew 14:4, Deuteronomy 13:6-8, Mark 9:43-48, Luke 14:26, Luke 14:27, Luke 14:33, Luke 18:22, Luke 18:23

and cast: Isaiah 2:20, Isaiah 2:21, Isaiah 30:22, Ezekiel 18:31, Romans 13:12, Philippians 3:8, Philippians 3:9

maimed: Matthew 15:30, Matthew 15:31

everlasting: Matthew 25:41, Matthew 25:46, Isaiah 33:14, Mark 9:48, Mark 9:49, Luke 16:24, 2 Thessalonians 1:8, 2 Thessalonians 1:9, Revelation 14:10, Revelation 20:15, Revelation 21:8

Reciprocal: Psalms 18:23 - I kept Proverbs 23:2 - General Isaiah 30:33 - Tophet Matthew 5:22 - hell

Verse 9

to enter: Matthew 19:17, Matthew 19:23, Matthew 19:24, Acts 14:22, Hebrews 4:11, Revelation 21:27

rather: Matthew 16:26, Luke 9:24, Luke 9:25

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 32:22 - lowest Psalms 18:23 - I kept Proverbs 23:2 - General Isaiah 30:33 - Tophet Matthew 5:22 - hell Matthew 5:29 - if Mark 9:43 - if Luke 16:23 - in hell

Verse 10

heed: Matthew 18:6, Matthew 18:14, Matthew 12:20, Psalms 15:4, Zechariah 4:10, Luke 10:16, Romans 14:1-3, Romans 14:10, Romans 14:13-15, Romans 14:21, Romans 15:1, 1 Corinthians 8:8-13, 1 Corinthians 9:22, 1 Corinthians 11:22, 1 Corinthians 16:11, 2 Corinthians 10:1, 2 Corinthians 10:10, Galatians 4:13, Galatians 4:14, Galatians 6:1, 1 Thessalonians 4:8, 1 Timothy 4:12

their: Matthew 1:20, Matthew 2:13, Matthew 2:19, Matthew 24:31, Genesis 32:1, Genesis 32:2, 2 Kings 6:16, 2 Kings 6:17, Psalms 34:7, Psalms 91:11, Zechariah 13:7, Luke 16:22, Acts 5:19, Acts 10:3, Acts 12:7-11, Acts 12:23, Acts 27:23, Hebrews 1:14

behold: 2 Samuel 14:28, 1 Kings 22:19, Esther 1:14, Psalms 17:15, Luke 1:19

Reciprocal: Genesis 33:10 - I have seen Job 1:6 - came to Jeremiah 52:25 - were near the king's person Zechariah 6:5 - go Matthew 7:21 - my Matthew 10:42 - one Matthew 22:30 - as Matthew 25:40 - the least Mark 9:37 - receive one Mark 9:42 - offend Mark 10:14 - for Luke 9:48 - Whosoever shall receive this Luke 15:10 - there Luke 17:2 - one John 21:15 - lambs Acts 12:15 - It is Romans 14:3 - despise 1 Corinthians 8:9 - take 1 Corinthians 8:12 - ye sin against 1 Corinthians 11:10 - because 1 Corinthians 13:12 - face Revelation 8:2 - seven angels Revelation 21:12 - twelve angels

Verse 11

Matthew 9:12, Matthew 9:13, Matthew 10:6, Matthew 15:24, Luke 9:56, Luke 15:24, Luke 15:32, Luke 19:10, John 3:17, John 10:10, John 12:47, 1 Timothy 1:15

Reciprocal: Psalms 72:13 - shall save Isaiah 42:3 - bruised Isaiah 62:12 - Sought out Jeremiah 50:6 - people Ezekiel 34:16 - seek that Zechariah 13:7 - I will turn Mark 2:17 - I came Luke 5:32 - General Luke 15:10 - there John 3:15 - not John 21:15 - lambs 1 Corinthians 8:12 - ye sin against

Verse 12

How: Matthew 21:28, Matthew 22:42, 1 Corinthians 10:15

if: Matthew 12:11, Psalms 119:176, Isaiah 53:6, Jeremiah 50:6, Ezekiel 34:16, Ezekiel 34:28, Luke 15:4-7, John 10:11-21, 1 Peter 2:25

into: 1 Kings 21:17, Ezekiel 34:6, Ezekiel 34:12

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 22:1 - Thou shalt Isaiah 27:12 - ye shall be Ezekiel 34:4 - sought Daniel 2:18 - they would Luke 12:32 - little Galatians 6:1 - restore

Verse 13

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

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 22:1 - Thou shalt Psalms 119:176 - gone astray Ezekiel 34:4 - sought Luke 15:4 - having Luke 15:7 - joy

Verse 14

it is: Luke 12:32, John 6:39, John 6:40, John 10:27-30, John 17:12, Romans 8:28-39, Ephesians 1:5-7, 1 Peter 1:3-5

your: Matthew 5:16, Matthew 6:9, Matthew 6:32

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

Reciprocal: Matthew 10:42 - one Matthew 18:6 - little Matthew 18:10 - heed Luke 9:48 - Whosoever shall receive this Luke 12:30 - your Luke 15:10 - one Luke 17:2 - one

Verse 15

if: Matthew 18:35, Leviticus 6:2-7, Luke 17:3, Luke 17:4, 1 Corinthians 6:6-8, 1 Corinthians 8:12, 2 Corinthians 7:12, Colossians 3:13, 1 Thessalonians 4:6

go: Leviticus 19:17, Psalms 141:5, Proverbs 25:9, Proverbs 25:10

thou hast: Proverbs 11:30, Romans 12:21, 1 Corinthians 9:19-21, James 5:19, James 5:20, 1 Peter 3:1

Reciprocal: Genesis 9:22 - told Genesis 21:25 - reproved Genesis 45:1 - Cause Exodus 22:9 - for all manner of trespass Joshua 22:13 - sent Judges 11:12 - sent messengers Judges 20:12 - sent men 2 Samuel 13:22 - spake Proverbs 27:5 - General Proverbs 28:23 - General Ezekiel 3:20 - because Matthew 5:24 - there Matthew 18:21 - till 1 Corinthians 6:1 - having Ephesians 5:11 - but 2 Thessalonians 3:15 - admonish 1 Timothy 5:1 - as brethren Titus 3:10 - after James 5:16 - Confess

Verse 16

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

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:37 - set it here Judges 11:12 - sent messengers Luke 17:4 - I repent 1 Corinthians 5:4 - when

Verse 17

tell: Acts 6:1-3, Acts 15:6, Acts 15:7, 1 Corinthians 5:4, 1 Corinthians 5:5, 1 Corinthians 6:1-4, 2 Corinthians 2:6, 2 Corinthians 2:7, 3 John 1:9, 3 John 1:10

let: Romans 16:17, Romans 16:18, 1 Corinthians 5:3-5, 1 Corinthians 5:9-13, 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 2 Thessalonians 3:14, 2 Thessalonians 3:15, 1 Timothy 6:5, 2 John 1:10, 2 John 1:11

a heathen: Matthew 6:7, Ezra 6:21, Ezekiel 11:12, 2 Corinthians 6:14-17, Ephesians 4:17-19, Ephesians 5:11, Ephesians 5:12

a publican: Matthew 5:46, Matthew 11:19, Matthew 21:31, Matthew 21:32, Luke 15:1, Luke 18:11, Luke 19:2, Luke 19:3

Reciprocal: Leviticus 13:3 - pronounce Leviticus 14:40 - take away Joshua 22:15 - General Ezra 10:8 - himself separated Nehemiah 5:7 - I set a great assembly Psalms 59:8 - heathen Proverbs 22:10 - General Matthew 16:18 - my Mark 2:16 - publicans John 9:34 - cast him out 1 Corinthians 5:11 - called 1 Corinthians 5:13 - Therefore 1 Timothy 1:20 - I have 1 Timothy 5:8 - and is

Verse 18

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

Reciprocal: Leviticus 13:3 - pronounce Isaiah 22:22 - so he Matthew 5:18 - verily John 9:34 - cast him out 2 Corinthians 13:3 - Christ 1 Timothy 3:15 - the pillar

Verse 19

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

it shall: John 14:13, John 14:14, John 16:23

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 2:20 - Ask on Isaiah 22:22 - so he Ezekiel 14:16 - these Daniel 2:18 - they would Malachi 3:16 - and the Matthew 7:21 - my Matthew 24:14 - shall be Acts 4:31 - spake Acts 8:15 - prayed Acts 12:12 - where 1 Peter 3:7 - that

Verse 20

two: Genesis 49:10, John 20:19, John 20:26, 1 Corinthians 5:4, 1 Thessalonians 1:1, Philemon 1:2

there: Matthew 28:20, Exodus 20:24, Zechariah 2:5, John 8:58, Revelation 1:11-13, Revelation 2:1, Revelation 21:3

Reciprocal: Genesis 4:16 - went Genesis 28:15 - I am Exodus 3:14 - I AM hath Leviticus 23:44 - General Joshua 6:27 - the Lord 2 Chronicles 17:3 - the Lord 2 Chronicles 20:9 - and in thy presence Psalms 46:5 - God is Song of Solomon 6:2 - gone Song of Solomon 7:5 - the king Song of Solomon 8:13 - dwellest Isaiah 4:5 - upon every Ezekiel 14:16 - these Ezekiel 46:10 - General Zephaniah 2:1 - gather together Haggai 1:13 - I am Malachi 3:16 - and the Matthew 26:11 - but Matthew 26:29 - until Luke 24:15 - Jesus John 4:21 - when John 14:18 - will come John 20:24 - was Acts 1:14 - all Acts 4:31 - spake Acts 12:12 - where Acts 15:6 - General Romans 16:5 - the church Hebrews 10:25 - forsaking

Verse 21

till: Matthew 18:15, Luke 17:3, Luke 17:4

Reciprocal: Proverbs 19:11 - and Zechariah 8:23 - ten men Matthew 5:22 - his brother Matthew 6:12 - debts Matthew 6:14 - General 1 Corinthians 8:12 - when Ephesians 4:32 - forgiving Colossians 3:13 - forgiving Philemon 1:12 - thou

Verse 22

but: Matthew 6:11, Matthew 6:12, Matthew 6:14, Matthew 6:15, Isaiah 55:7, Micah 7:19, Mark 11:25, Mark 11:26, Romans 12:21, Ephesians 4:26, Ephesians 4:31, Ephesians 4:32, Ephesians 5:1, Colossians 3:13, 1 Timothy 2:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 4:24 - seventy Proverbs 19:11 - and Ecclesiastes 11:2 - seven Zechariah 8:23 - ten men Luke 17:4 - if

Verse 23

is: Matthew 3:2, Matthew 13:24, Matthew 13:31, Matthew 13:33, Matthew 13:44, Matthew 13:45, Matthew 13:47, Matthew 13:52, Matthew 25:1, Matthew 25:14

which: Matthew 25:19-30, Luke 16:1, Luke 16:2, Luke 19:12-27, Romans 14:12, 1 Corinthians 4:5, 2 Corinthians 5:10, 2 Corinthians 5:11

Reciprocal: Genesis 40:20 - lifted up Daniel 6:2 - that Mark 11:25 - forgive Luke 7:41 - a certain Luke 19:15 - that he

Verse 24

owed: Luke 7:41, Luke 7:42, Luke 13:4, *marg. Luke 16:5, Luke 16:7

ten thousand: ץסישם [Strong's G3461], פבכבםפשם [Strong's G5007], a myriad of talents, the highest number known in Greek arithmetical notation. According to Prideaux, the Roman talent was equal to 216£; ten thousand of which would amount to 2,160,000£. If the Jewish talent of silver be designed, which is estimated by the same learned writer at 450£, this sum amounts to 4,500,000£; but if the gold talent is meant, which is equal to 7,200£, then the amount is 72,000,000£. This immense sum represents our boundless obligations to God, and our utter incapacity, as sinners infinitely indebted to Divine justice, of paying one mite out of the talent. 1 Chronicles 29:7, Ezra 9:6, Psalms 38:4, Psalms 40:12, Psalms 130:3, Psalms 130:4

talents: "A talent is 750 ounces of silver, which after five shillings the ounce is 187£. 10s."

Reciprocal: Genesis 44:10 - he with whom Esther 3:9 - ten thousand Matthew 25:15 - talents Matthew 25:19 - reckoneth Luke 16:1 - a certain

Verse 25

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

Reciprocal: Genesis 17:13 - bought Genesis 44:10 - he with whom Exodus 21:2 - an Hebrew Deuteronomy 15:2 - exact it Deuteronomy 32:30 - sold them Judges 4:2 - sold 1 Samuel 22:2 - was in debt Proverbs 6:31 - he shall give Proverbs 22:7 - the borrower Luke 7:42 - when Romans 7:14 - sold

Verse 26

worshipped him: or, besought him

have: Matthew 18:29, Luke 7:43, Romans 10:3

Reciprocal: Judges 9:7 - Hearken Matthew 8:2 - worshipped Luke 7:42 - when

Verse 27

moved: Judges 10:16, Nehemiah 9:17, Psalms 78:38, Psalms 86:5, Psalms 86:15, Psalms 145:8, Hosea 11:8

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 10:31 - the exaction Ezekiel 18:17 - hath taken Luke 6:30 - and

Verse 28

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." Matthew 20:2

and took: Deuteronomy 15:2, Nehemiah 5:7, Nehemiah 5:10, Nehemiah 5:11, Nehemiah 10:31, Isaiah 58:3, Ezekiel 45:9

Reciprocal: Proverbs 28:3 - poor man Jeremiah 34:16 - and brought Matthew 6:12 - as Matthew 10:29 - farthing Matthew 22:19 - a penny Mark 6:37 - pennyworth Mark 12:15 - a penny Mark 14:5 - pence Luke 7:41 - pence Luke 15:8 - pieces Luke 20:24 - a penny John 6:7 - pennyworth James 2:13 - he

Verse 29

Have: Matthew 18:26, Matthew 6:12, Philemon 1:18, Philemon 1:19

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 25:24 - fell

Verse 30

but: 1 Kings 21:27-29, 1 Kings 22:27

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 15:7 - thou shalt 2 Kings 4:1 - the creditor Proverbs 21:13 - at Luke 12:58 - into

Verse 31

they: Psalms 119:136, Psalms 119:158, Jeremiah 9:1, Mark 3:5, Luke 19:41, Romans 9:1-3, Romans 12:15, 2 Corinthians 11:21, Hebrews 13:3

and came: Genesis 37:2, Luke 14:21, Hebrews 13:17

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 19:5 - and told David

Verse 32

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

Reciprocal: Exodus 34:7 - forgiving Deuteronomy 15:15 - General Ecclesiastes 7:22 - also Micah 6:8 - love Matthew 24:48 - if 1 John 4:11 - General

Verse 33

even: Matthew 5:44, Matthew 5:45, Luke 6:35, Luke 6:36, Ephesians 4:32, Ephesians 5:1, Ephesians 5:2, Colossians 3:13

Reciprocal: Exodus 23:9 - ye know Deuteronomy 15:15 - General Psalms 18:25 - With the Psalms 109:16 - he remembered Lamentations 2:2 - swallowed Jonah 4:11 - should Zechariah 11:6 - I will no Matthew 5:7 - are Luke 10:33 - he had 1 Peter 3:8 - having 1 John 4:11 - General

Verse 34

and delivered: Matthew 5:25, Matthew 5:26, Luke 12:58, Luke 12:59, 2 Thessalonians 1:8, 2 Thessalonians 1:9, Revelation 14:10, Revelation 14:11

Reciprocal: Isaiah 47:11 - put it off Matthew 6:12 - debts Luke 7:42 - when

Verse 35

do: Matthew 6:12, Matthew 6:14, Matthew 6:15, Matthew 7:1, Matthew 7:2, Proverbs 21:13, Mark 11:26, Luke 6:37, Luke 6:38, James 2:13

from: Proverbs 21:2, Jeremiah 3:10, Zechariah 7:12, Luke 16:15, James 3:14, James 4:8, Revelation 2:23

Reciprocal: Genesis 50:17 - Forgive Exodus 22:9 - for all manner of trespass 2 Kings 4:1 - the creditor Matthew 5:22 - his brother Matthew 7:21 - my Matthew 18:15 - if Luke 6:30 - and Luke 11:4 - for Luke 17:4 - if