Matthew 18

At that time: Matthew connects the disciples' questions to the earlier teaching about the temple. The disciples started to think their new freedom from Jewish authority gave them their own authority.

Jesus had also spoken about special revelations (Matthew 11:25–27; 13:11–17) and about leadership roles (10:2–4; 19:28). This may have caused jealousy and arguments about power among the disciples. Their disputes may have centered on the importance of Peter (17:25) or the special place of Peter, James, and John (17:1–3).

This fourth major teaching in Matthew (see study note on Matthew 5:1–7:29) focuses on how people responded to the Messiah. The disciples accepted him, while the Jewish leaders and most people did not. As this division increased, Jesus taught his disciples about community life.

To follow the standards of Jesus, a community should live with:

• humility (18:1–5),

• sensitivity (18:6–9),

• compassion (18:10–14),

• discipline (18:15–18), and

• forgiveness (18:21–35).

Like the other teachings, a closing statement (19:1–2) connects to the next section.

Like little children means being humble (Matthew 18:4). The disciples had been focused on status and ambition.

Jesus then talked about unity in the community. Welcoming a humble disciple of Jesus is the same as welcoming Jesus himself (see Matthew 10:40–42).

• Cause one … to stumble: This means to lead believers to turn away from Christ, whether children or adults who have become “like children” in faith (see Matthew 18:3).

• The title little ones emphasizes their humility (see 5:3–12; 18:4; 19:13–15).

• The thought of being drowned with a large millstone around the neck is terrifying. But Jesus warned that causing someone to lose faith will bring even greater suffering (18:7; 26:24; Revelation 18:21; Matthew 22:13).

Jesus shifts his concern to the person. You must remove anything that leads you to sin (see Matthew 5:29–30; Colossians 3:5–17).

• Do not look down on any of these: This can happen by refusing to welcome them (Matthew 18:5–6) or by not providing pastoral care when needed (18:12–14; see 19:13–15).

• their angels: See Matthew 4:5–7; Hebrews 1:14.

Just as a shepherd works to find a lost sheep, we must not despise or ignore the “little ones” (Matthew 18:6).

The shepherd's joy is the same as the Father's joy. The goal of pastoral care is to ensure God keeps all his sheep.

If another believer sins, love means we should talk to them privately and point out the wrong (Leviticus 19:17; Luke 17:3; Galatians 6:1; 1 Timothy 5:20; Titus 3:10).

Resolving issues should be private at first and only made public if absolutely necessary.

The community of believers should stay united and avoid conflicts. Members should seek reconciliation (Matthew 18:15–20) and be ready to forgive (18:21–35). Sometimes, strict discipline might be necessary (18:17).

By requiring one or two others to be present, Jesus stopped slander and false accusations among the congregation (see John 8:17; 2 Corinthians 13:1; 1 Timothy 5:19; Hebrews 10:28).

• The church is the local Christian community.

• An unrepentant person (someone refusing to turn from sin) is to be treated as an outsider, like a lawbreaker. Excluding a person from fellowship (sometimes called excommunication) comes from the belief that God’s people must be holy (Acts 5:1–6; Romans 16:17; 1 Corinthians 5:1–13; 2 Corinthians 6:14–18; Galatians 5:7–12; 2 Thessalonians 3:14–15). Sin harms fellowship with both other believers and with God. The goal is not revenge or control, but to restore the sinner to holiness and community (Matthew 18:10–15; Galatians 6:1; James 5:19–20).

Bind … loose: The privilege and authority Jesus gave to Peter (Matthew 16:19) are here given to the church (or possibly to the twelve apostles, 18:1). The community's decisions, when they are in agreement with God's will, are eternally binding.

These sayings guide how to discipline and restore members in the community of disciples.

Anything you ask for: In the context of church discipline (18:15–17), this means discipline must be done in a prayerful way.

Christ is present in the process of church discipline, so this process confirms God's decision.

Peter thought forgiving seven times was generous, but Jesus surprised him. A disciple should graciously forgive like God does, without limits and freely (see Matthew 18:10–14). If someone does not forgive in this way, it shows they have not experienced God's forgiveness for themselves (18:35; see 6:12).

Seventy-seven times: sus teaches that forgiveness should have no limit. His followers must forgive sincerely, not only in words but also in attitude and actions (Matthew 18:35; see also Genesis 4:23–24).

Ten thousand talents: The talent was the largest unit of currency, but its value changed over time. This debt was impossible to repay. This amount was more than all of Galilee's tax revenue.

I will pay back everything: the slave's promise to pay the huge debt emphasizes the king's great mercy and the slave's lack of forgiveness (Matthew 18:29–30).

A hundred denarii: The first servant owed a debt about one million times larger than this amount owed to him.

• This is how God reacts to those who refuse to forgive (Matthew 18:35).

• until he should repay all that he owed: This means permanently, because he could never repay the debt.

That is how My heavenly Father will treat each of you: Prison and torture (Matthew 18:34) is a metaphor for hell (see 5:22).