Matthew 18

Who Is the Greatest?

1 t At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" 2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you u turn and v become like children, you w will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 x Whoever humbles himself like this child is the w greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5 y "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, 6 but z whoever causes one of these a little ones who believe in me to sin, 1 it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Temptations to Sin

7 "Woe to the world for b temptations to sin! 2 c For it is necessary that temptations come, d but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes! 8 e And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into f the eternal fire. 9 e And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the f hell 3 of fire.

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

10 "See that you do not despise g one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven h their angels always i see the face of my Father who is in heaven. 4 12 j What do you think? k If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13 And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14 So l it is not the will of my 5 Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

If Your Brother Sins Against You

15 m "If your brother sins against you, n go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have o gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established p by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, q tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, r let him be to you as s a Gentile and s a tax collector. 18 Truly, I say to you, t whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed 6 in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, if two of you u agree on earth about anything they ask, v it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are w gathered in my name, x there am I among them."

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

21 Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often y will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? z As many as seven times?" 22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven. 7

23 "Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished a to settle accounts with his servants. 8 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him b ten thousand c talents. 9 25 d And since he could not pay, his master ordered him e to be sold, with his wife and f children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant 10 g fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and d forgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred h denarii, 11 and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, 'Pay what you owe.' 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 i And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' 34 j And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, 12 k until he should pay all his debt. 35 l So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother m from your heart."

  1. Cross References
    Matthew 17:24
    When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, "Does your teacher not pay the tax?
    Matthew 18:1 - 5
    At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
    Mark 9:33 - 37
    And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you discussing on the way?
    Luke 9:46 - 48
    An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest.
    Matthew 20:20 - 28
    Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something.
  2. Cross References
    Matthew 18:1 - 5
    At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
    Mark 9:33 - 37
    And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you discussing on the way?
    Luke 9:46 - 48
    An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest.
  3. Cross References
    Luke 22:32
    But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.
  4. Cross References
    Matthew 19:14
    But Jesus said, "Let the little children come t...
    Mark 10:15
    Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive t...
    Luke 18:17
    Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive t...
    Psalms 131:2
    But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a w...
    1 Corinthians 14:20
    Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. ...
    1 Peter 2:2
    Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritu...
  5. Cross References
    Matthew 5:19 - 20
    Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
  6. Cross References
    Matthew 20:27
    And whoever would be first among you must be your slave.
    Matthew 23:11 - 12
    The greatest among you shall be your servant.
  7. Cross References
    Matthew 18:3
    And said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
  8. Cross References
    Matthew 10:40
    Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.
    Matthew 10:42
    And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.
  9. Cross References
    Mark 9:42
    Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.
  10. Cross References
    Luke 17:2
    It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin.
    1 Corinthians 8:12
    Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.
  11. Cross References
    Matthew 13:41
    The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers.
  12. Cross References
    Luke 17:1
    And he said to his disciples, "Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!
    1 Corinthians 11:19
    For there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.
  13. Cross References
    Matthew 26:24
    The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.
  14. Cross References
    Matthew 5:29 - 30
    If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.
    Mark 9:43 - 48
    And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire.
  15. Cross References
    Matthew 25:41
    Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
  16. Cross References
    Matthew 18:8
    And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire.
  17. Cross References
    Matthew 18:8
    And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire.
  18. Cross References
    Matthew 6:29
    Yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
    Matthew 25:40
    And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.
    Matthew 25:45
    Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.
    Luke 15:7
    Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
    Luke 15:10
    Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
  19. Cross References
    Acts 12:15
    They said to her, "You are out of your mind." But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, "It is his angel!
    Psalms 34:7
    The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
    Psalms 91:11
    For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
    Hebrews 1:14
    Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
  20. Cross References
    Luke 1:19
    And the angel answered him, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.
    Revelation 8:2
    Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.
    Esther 1:14
    The men next to him being Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, who saw the king's face, and sat first in the kingdom):
  21. Cross References
    Matthew 17:25
    He said, "Yes." And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?
    Matthew 21:28
    "What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.'
  22. Cross References
    Matthew 18:12 - 14
    What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?
    Luke 15:4 - 7
    What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?
  23. Cross References
    John 6:39
    And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.
    John 10:28
    I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
    John 17:12
    While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
  24. Cross References
    Luke 17:3
    Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.
  25. Cross References
    2 Thessalonians 3:15
    Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
    Titus 3:10
    As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him.
    James 5:19
    My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back.
    Leviticus 19:17
    You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him.
  26. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 9:19 - 22
    For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.
    1 Peter 3:1
    Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives.
  27. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 19:15
    A single witness shall not suffice against a pe...
    2 Corinthians 13:1
    This is the third time I am coming to you. Ever...
    Numbers 35:30
    If anyone kills a person, the murderer shall be...
    John 8:17
    In your Law it is written that the testimony of...
    1 Timothy 5:19
    Do not admit a charge against an elder except o...
    Hebrews 10:28
    Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies ...
  28. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 5:4 - 5
    When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus.
    1 Corinthians 6:1 - 6
    When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints?
  29. Cross References
    Romans 16:17
    I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.
    1 Corinthians 5:9 - 13
    I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people -
    2 Thessalonians 3:6
    Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.
    2 Thessalonians 3:14
    If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed.
    2 John 1:10
    If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting.
  30. Cross References
    Matthew 5:46 - 47
    For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
  31. Cross References
    Matthew 5:46 - 47
    For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
  32. Cross References
    Matthew 16:19
    I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
    John 20:23
    If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.
  33. Cross References
    Acts 12:5
    So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.
    Acts 12:12
    When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.
    Philemon 1:22
    At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you.
  34. Cross References
    Matthew 7:7
    Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
  35. Cross References
    Acts 4:30 - 31
    While you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.
    1 Corinthians 5:4
    When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus.
  36. Cross References
    Matthew 28:20
    Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
    John 12:26
    If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
    John 20:20
    When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
    John 20:26
    Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you.
  37. Cross References
    Matthew 18:15
    If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.
  38. Cross References
    Luke 17:3 - 4
    Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.
    Colossians 3:13
    Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
  39. Cross References
    Matthew 25:19
    Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
  40. Cross References
    Esther 3:9
    If it please the king, let it be decreed that they be destroyed, and I will pay 10,000 talents of silver into the hands of those who have charge of the king's business, that they may put it into the king's treasuries.
  41. Cross References
    Matthew 25:15
    To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.
  42. Cross References
    Luke 7:42
    When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?
  43. Cross References
    Exodus 21:2
    When you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free, for nothing.
    Leviticus 25:39
    If your brother becomes poor beside you and sells himself to you, you shall not make him serve as a slave:
  44. Cross References
    2 Kings 4:1
    Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried to Elisha, "Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord, but the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.
    Nehemiah 5:5
    Now our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, our children are as their children. Yet we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but it is not in our power to help it, for other men have our fields and our vineyards.
  45. Cross References
    Acts 10:25
    When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him.
    Matthew 8:2
    And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.
  46. Cross References
    Matthew 18:25
    And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made.
  47. Cross References
    Matthew 20:2
    After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius...
    Matthew 22:19
    Show me the coin for the tax." And they brought...
    Mark 6:37
    But he answered them, "You give them something ...
    Mark 14:5
    For this ointment could have been sold for more...
    Luke 7:41
    A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed...
    Luke 10:35
    And the next day he took out two denarii and ga...
    John 6:7
    Philip answered him, "Two hundred denarii would...
  48. Cross References
    Matthew 6:12
    And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
    Ephesians 4:32
    Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
    Colossians 3:13
    Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
    1 John 4:11
    Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
  49. Cross References
    James 2:13
    For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
  50. Cross References
    Matthew 18:30
    He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt.
    Matthew 5:25 - 26
    Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison.
  51. Cross References
    Matthew 6:15
    But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
    Proverbs 21:13
    Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.
  52. Cross References
    1 Peter 1:22
    Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart.
    Romans 6:17
    But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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