Matt 18 Nkjv (2024)

FAQs

What is the main point of Matthew 18? ›

His point is not that Christians ought to be gullible, or naïve. Rather, they need to look to God with trusting faith, and acceptance of their own limitations. Those who support and guide other spiritual "children" are serving God. Those who lead believers astray can expect harsh judgment (Matthew 18:1–6).

Now He seems to be describing those who believe in Him, including adults, as "little ones." He warns that a harsh judgment will come on those who cause one of the little ones who believe in Him to sin or to stumble. This would include falling away from faith in and commitment to Christ.

Matthew 18:21–35 is one of many scripture passages that show the forgiving nature of the Savior and also the justice of God when we choose not to forgive. Think about what you can do to become a more forgiving person like Jesus Christ.

"Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." By "earth" Jesus is describing this mortal experience, and by "heaven" he is naming the innate spiritual Power that is our true identity.

Matthew wrote his account of Jesus's ministry to show that Jesus was and is indeed the King, Israel's long-awaited Messiah. He reflected this concern in his opening line, “The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1).

Matthew 18 applies when unrepentant sin is involved. The passage begins with the conditional statement, “IF your brother sins against you….” This passage is referring to cases where clear identifiable wrongdoing against another in the church is involved. If sin is not involved, then this passage should not be used.

“Binding and loosing” is a phrase which comes from the rabbis. It refers to the authority to make decisions binding on the people of God. This authority includes interpreting and applying the Word of God and admitting people to and excommunicating them from the community of faith.

Matthew 18:10–14 describes the great value God the Father places on everyone who believes in Jesus. This is often referred to as the Parable of the Lost Sheep. Jesus warns His disciples not to despises any of the believers, calling them "little ones." They are connected to the glory of God by their angels in heaven.

Now Jesus uses one of the familiar words Old Testament prophets often used when describing God's judgment: "Woe." Woe on the world for temptations to sin, those stumbling blocks it puts in the way of believers in Jesus to trip them up into sin. Judgment will come for them.

The lesson is not that God revokes His forgiveness of sins in the same way that the king revoked his forgiveness of a financial debt. Rather, the lesson is that God, like the king, shows no mercy to those who themselves refuse to show mercy to others.

What does Matthew 18 say about forgiveness? ›

Matthew 18:21-22 (ESV) Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times. In Jesus' day, the rabbis taught they you only needed to forgive someone three times.

Jesus was teaching Peter to set no limits on how much mercy would show. In other words, forgive your brother for sins done against you as many times as your brother needs forgiving. Do not show your brother forgiveness seven times only. Show your brother an infinite amount of mercy and forgiveness.

We will simply live like the angels. 29 Jesus answered, “You are mistaken because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. 30 In the resurrection, people will neither marry nor be given in marriage. Instead, they will be like the angelsc in heaven.

It's Jesus who binds man and God together. In the Old Testament He is symbolically portrayed by a scarlet cord.

In a legislative sense, the word “bind” means “to forbid something” and the word “loose” means “to permit something” (cf. Toussaint 1980:206). In a judicial sense, to “bind” means “to punish” and to “loose” means “to release from punishment” (Fruchtenbaum 2005:9).

The 'Parable of the Unforgiving Servant' is from the Christian Bible: Matthew 18:21-35. It details the story of a servant who was forgiven a massive (unrepayable) debt, only to refuse forgiveness to another servant who owed a relatively small debt.

It's helpful to remind ourselves of the actual meaning of church. It's one of those words that we use so often, it can easily lose its significance in our minds. Jesus defines this assembly very simply when He says, “where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst” (Matt. 18:20).

In conclusion, the Parable of the Persistent Widow teaches us about the importance of persistence in prayer and faith. We must always pray and never lose heart or give up when facing obstacles, but instead, pray continually like the widow who kept coming to the unjust judge. Through her persistence, justice was served.

Matthew is showing that Jesus' death was not a failure but rather the surprising fulfillment of prophetic promises. Jesus came as the servant Messiah who was rejected by his own people. But instead of judging them, he is judged on their behalf and bears the consequences of their sin.