23 Therefore G1223 G5124 is the kingdom G932 of heaven G3772 likened G3666 unto a certain G444 king, G935 which G3739 would G2309 take G4868 account G3056 of G3326 his G846 servants. G1401
Another G243 parable G3850 put he forth G3908 unto them, G846 saying, G3004 The kingdom G932 of heaven G3772 is likened G3666 unto a man G444 which sowed G4687 G4687 good G2570 seed G4690 in G1722 his G846 field: G68
Another G243 parable G3850 spake he G2980 unto them; G846 The kingdom G932 of heaven G3772 is G2076 like G3664 unto leaven, G2219 which G3739 a woman G1135 took, G2983 and hid G1470 in G1519 three G5140 measures G4568 of meal, G224 till G2193 the whole G3650 was G3739 leavened. G2220
Again, G3825 the kingdom G932 of heaven G3772 is G2076 like G3664 unto treasure G2344 hid G2928 in G1722 a field; G68 the which G3739 when a man G444 hath found, G2147 he hideth, G2928 and G2532 for G575 joy G5479 thereof G846 goeth G5217 and G2532 selleth G4453 all G3956 that G3745 he hath, G2192 and G2532 buyeth G59 that G1565 field. G68 Again, G3825 the kingdom G932 of heaven G3772 is G2076 like G3664 unto a merchant G1713 man, G444 seeking G2212 goodly G2570 pearls: G3135
Then G1161 said G2036 he unto them, G846 Therefore G1223 G5124 every G3956 scribe G1122 which is instructed G3100 unto G1519 the kingdom G932 of heaven G3772 is G2076 like G3664 unto a man G444 that is an householder, G3617 which G3748 bringeth forth G1544 out of G1537 his G846 treasure G2344 things new G2537 and G2532 old. G3820
After G1161 G3326 a long G4183 time G5550 the lord G2962 of those G1565 servants G1401 cometh, G2064 and G2532 reckoneth G4868 G3056 with G3326 them. G846 And so G2532 he that had received G2983 five G4002 talents G5007 came G4334 and brought G4374 other G243 five G4002 talents, G5007 saying, G3004 Lord, G2962 thou deliveredst G3860 unto me G3427 five G4002 talents: G5007 behold, G2396 I have gained G2770 beside G1909 them G846 five G4002 talents G5007 more. G243 G1161 His G846 lord G2962 said G5346 unto him, G846 Well done, G2095 thou good G18 and G2532 faithful G4103 servant: G1401 thou hast been G2258 faithful G4103 over G1909 a few things, G3641 I will make G2525 thee G4571 ruler G2525 over G1909 many things: G4183 enter thou G1525 into G1519 the joy G5479 of thy G4675 lord. G2962 G1161 He also G2532 that had received G2983 two G1417 talents G5007 came G4334 and said, G2036 Lord, G2962 thou deliveredst G3860 unto me G3427 two G1417 talents: G5007 behold, G2396 I have gained G2770 two G1417 other G243 talents G5007 beside G1909 them. G846 His G846 lord G2962 said G5346 unto him, G846 Well done, G2095 good G18 and G2532 faithful G4103 servant; G1401 thou hast been G2258 faithful G4103 over G1909 a few things, G3641 I will make G2525 thee G4571 ruler G2525 over G1909 many things: G4183 enter thou G1525 into G1519 the joy G5479 of thy G4675 lord. G2962 Then G1161 G2532 he which had received G2983 the one G1520 talent G5007 came G4334 and said, G2036 Lord, G2962 I knew G1097 thee G4571 that G3754 thou art G1488 an hard G4642 man, G444 reaping G2325 where G3699 thou hast G4687 not G3756 sown, G4687 and G2532 gathering G4863 where G3606 thou hast G1287 not G3756 strawed: G1287 And G2532 I was afraid, G5399 and went G565 and hid G2928 thy G4675 talent G5007 in G1722 the earth: G1093 lo, G2396 there thou hast G2192 that is thine. G4674 G1161 His G846 lord G2962 answered G611 and said G2036 unto him, G846 Thou wicked G4190 and G2532 slothful G3636 servant, G1401 thou knewest G1492 that G3754 I reap G2325 where G3699 I sowed G4687 not, G3756 and G2532 gather G4863 where G3606 I have G1287 not G3756 strawed: G1287 Thou G4571 oughtest G1163 therefore G3767 to have put G906 my G3450 money G694 to the exchangers, G5133 and G2532 then at my coming G2064 I G1473 should G302 have received G2865 mine own G1699 with G4862 usury. G5110 Take G142 therefore G3767 the talent G5007 from G575 him, G846 and G2532 give G1325 it unto him which hath G2192 ten G1176 talents. G5007 For G1063 unto every one G3956 that hath G2192 shall be given, G1325 and G2532 he shall have abundance: G4052 but G1161 from G575 him G846 that hath G2192 not G3361 shall be taken away G142 G575 even G2532 that which G3739 he hath. G2192 And G2532 cast ye G1544 the unprofitable G888 servant G1401 into G1519 outer G1857 darkness: G4655 there G1563 shall be G2071 weeping G2805 and G2532 gnashing G1030 of teeth. G3599
And G1161 he said G3004 also G2532 unto G4314 his G846 disciples, G3101 There was G2258 a certain G5100 rich G4145 man, G444 which G3739 had G2192 a steward; G3623 and G2532 the same G3778 was accused G1225 unto him G846 that G5613 he had wasted G1287 his G846 goods. G5224 And G2532 he called G5455 him, G846 and said G2036 unto him, G846 How G5101 is it that I hear G191 this G5124 of G4012 thee? G4675 give G591 an account G3056 of thy G4675 stewardship; G3622 for G1063 thou mayest be G1410 no G3756 longer G2089 steward. G3621
He said G2036 therefore, G3767 A certain G5100 nobleman G444 G2104 went G4198 into G1519 a far G3117 country G5561 to receive G2983 for himself G1438 a kingdom, G932 and G2532 to return. G5290 And G1161 he called G2564 his G1438 ten G1176 servants, G1401 and delivered G1325 them G846 ten G1176 pounds, G3414 and G2532 said G2036 unto G4314 them, G846 Occupy G4231 till G2193 I come. G2064 But G1161 his G846 citizens G4177 hated G3404 him, G846 and G2532 sent G649 a message G4242 after G3694 him, G846 saying, G3004 We will G2309 not G3756 have G2309 this G5126 man to reign G936 over G1909 us. G2248 And G2532 it came to pass, G1096 that when G1722 he G846 was returned, G1880 having received G2983 the kingdom, G932 then G2532 he commanded G2036 these G5128 servants G1401 to be called G5455 unto him, G846 to whom G3739 he had given G1325 the money, G694 that G2443 he might know G1097 how much G5101 every man G5101 had gained by trading. G1281 Then G1161 came G3854 the first, G4413 saying, G3004 Lord, G2962 thy G4675 pound G3414 hath gained G4333 ten G1176 pounds. G3414 And G2532 he said G2036 unto him, G846 Well, G2095 thou good G18 servant: G1401 because G3754 thou hast been G1096 faithful G4103 in G1722 a very little, G1646 have G2192 thou authority G2468 G1849 over G1883 ten G1176 cities. G4172 And G2532 the second G1208 came, G2064 saying, G3004 Lord, G2962 thy G4675 pound G3414 hath gained G4160 five G4002 pounds. G3414 And G1161 he said G2036 likewise G2532 to him, G5129 Be G1096 thou G4771 also G2532 over G1883 five G4002 cities. G4172 And G2532 another G2087 came, G2064 saying, G3004 Lord, G2962 behold, G2400 here is thy G4675 pound, G3414 which G3739 I have G2192 kept laid up G606 in G1722 a napkin: G4676 For G1063 I feared G5399 thee, G4571 because G3754 thou art G1488 an austere G840 man: G444 thou takest up G142 that G3739 thou layedst G5087 not G3756 down, G5087 and G2532 reapest G2325 that G3739 thou didst G4687 not G3756 sow. G4687 And G1161 he saith G3004 unto him, G846 Out of G1537 thine own G4675 mouth G4750 will I judge G2919 thee, G4571 thou wicked G4190 servant. G1401 Thou knewest G1492 that G3754 I G1473 was G1510 an austere G840 man, G444 taking up G142 that G3739 I laid G5087 not G3756 down, G5087 and G2532 reaping G2325 that G3739 I did G4687 not G3756 sow: G4687 Wherefore G1302 then G2532 gavest G1325 not G3756 thou G1325 my G3450 money G694 into G1909 the bank, G5132 that G2532 at my coming G2064 I G1473 might G302 have required G4238 mine own G846 with G4862 usury? G5110 And G2532 he said G2036 unto them that stood by, G3936 Take G142 from G575 him G846 the pound, G3414 and G2532 give G1325 it to him that hath G2192 ten G1176 pounds. G3414 (And G2532 they said G2036 unto him, G846 Lord, G2962 he hath G2192 ten G1176 pounds.) G3414 For G1063 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 That G3754 unto every one G3956 which G3588 hath G2192 shall be given; G1325 and G1161 from G575 him that hath G2192 not, G3361 even G2532 that G3739 he hath G2192 shall be taken away G142 from G575 him. G846 But G4133 those G1565 mine G3450 enemies, G2190 which G3588 would G2309 not G3361 that I G3165 should reign G936 over G1909 them, G846 bring G71 hither, G5602 and G2532 slay G2695 them before G1715 me. G3450
So G3767 then G686 every one G1538 of us G2257 shall give G1325 account G3056 of G4012 himself G1438 to God. G2316
Therefore G5620 judge G2919 nothing G3361 G5100 before G4253 the time, G2540 until G2193 G302 the Lord G2962 come, G2064 who G3739 both G2532 will bring to light G5461 the hidden things G2927 of darkness, G4655 and G2532 will make manifest G5319 the counsels G1012 of the hearts: G2588 and G2532 then G5119 shall every man G1538 have G1096 praise G1868 of G575 God. G2316
For G1063 we G2248 must G1163 all G3956 appear G5319 before G1715 the judgment seat G968 of Christ; G5547 that G2443 every one G1538 may receive G2865 the things done in G1223 his body, G4983 according G4314 to that G3739 he hath done, G4238 whether G1535 it be good G18 or G1535 bad. G2556 Knowing G1492 therefore G3767 the terror G5401 of the Lord, G2962 we persuade G3982 men; G444 but G1161 we are made manifest G5319 unto God; G2316 and G1161 I trust G1679 also G2532 are made manifest G5319 in G1722 your G5216 consciences. G4893
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Matthew 18
Commentary on Matthew 18 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 18
Mt 18:1-9. Strife among the Twelve Who Should Be Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven, with Relative Teaching. ( = Mr 9:33-50; Lu 9:46-50).
For the exposition, see on Mr 9:33-50.
Mt 18:10-35. Further Teaching on the Same Subject, Including the Parable of the Unmerciful Debtor.
Same Subject (Mt 18:10-20).
10. Take heed that ye despise—stumble.
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—A difficult verse; but perhaps the following may be more than an illustration:—Among men, those who nurse and rear the royal children, however humble in themselves, are allowed free entrance with their charge, and a degree of familiarity which even the highest state ministers dare not assume. Probably our Lord means that, in virtue of their charge over His disciples (Heb 1:13; Joh 1:51), the angels have errands to the throne, a welcome there, and a dear familiarity in dealing with "His Father which is in heaven," which on their own matters they could not assume.
11. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost—or "is lost." A golden saying, once and again repeated in different forms. Here the connection seems to be, "Since the whole object and errand of the Son of man into the world is to save the lost, take heed lest, by causing offenses, ye lose the saved." That this is the idea intended we may gather from Mt 18:14.
12, 13. How think ye? If a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, &c.—This is another of those pregnant sayings which our Lord uttered more than once. See on the delightful parable of the lost sheep in Lu 15:4-7. Only the object there is to show what the good Shepherd will do, when even one of His sheep is lost, to find it; here the object is to show, when found, how reluctant He is to lose it. Accordingly, it is added,
14. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish—How, then, can He but visit for those "offenses" which endanger the souls of these little ones?
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, &c.—Probably our Lord had reference still to the late dispute, Who should be the greatest? After the rebuke—so gentle and captivating, yet so dignified and divine—under which they would doubtless be smarting, perhaps each would be saying, It was not I that began it, it was not I that threw out unworthy and irritating insinuations against my brethren. Be it so, says our Lord; but as such things will often arise, I will direct you how to proceed. First, Neither harbor a grudge against your offending brother, nor break forth upon him in presence of the unbelieving; but take him aside, show him his fault, and if he own and make reparation for it, you have done more service to him than even justice to yourself. Next, If this fail, take two or three to witness how just your complaint is, and how brotherly your spirit in dealing with him. Again, If this fail, bring him before the Church or congregation to which both belong. Lastly, If even this fail, regard him as no longer a brother Christian, but as one "without"—as the Jews did Gentiles and publicans.
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—Here, what had been granted but a short time before to Peter only (see on Mt 16:19) is plainly extended to all the Twelve; so that whatever it means, it means nothing peculiar to Peter, far less to his pretended successors at Rome. It has to do with admission to and rejection from the membership of the Church. But see on Joh 20:23.
19. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything 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—or "unto my name."
there am I in the midst of them—On this passage—so full of sublime encouragement to Christian union in action and prayer—observe, first, the connection in which it stands. Our Lord had been speaking of church meetings before which the obstinate perversity of a brother was in the last resort to be brought, and whose decision was to be final—such honor does the Lord of the Church put upon its lawful assemblies. But not these assemblies only does He deign to countenance and honor. For even two uniting to bring any matter before Him shall find that they are not alone, for My Father is with them, says Jesus. Next, observe the premium here put upon union in prayer. As this cannot exist with fewer than two, so by letting it down so low as that number, He gives the utmost conceivable encouragement to union in this exercise. But what kind of union? Not an agreement merely to pray in concert, but to pray for some definite thing. "As touching anything which they shall ask," says our Lord—anything they shall agree to ask in concert. At the same time, it is plain He had certain things at that moment in His eye, as most fitting and needful subjects for such concerted prayer. The Twelve had been "falling out by the way" about the miserable question of precedence in their Master's kingdom, and this, as it stirred their corruptions, had given rise—or at least was in danger of giving rise—to "offenses" perilous to their souls. The Lord Himself had been directing them how to deal with one another about such matters. "But now shows He unto them a more excellent way." Let them bring all such matters—yea, and everything whatsoever by which either their own loving relationship to each other, or the good of His kingdom at large, might be affected—to their Father in heaven; and if they be but agreed in petitioning Him about that thing, it shall be done for them of His Father which is in heaven. But further, it is not merely union in prayer for the same thing—for that might be with very jarring ideas of the thing to be desired—but it is to symphonious prayer, the prayer by kindred spirits, members of one family, servants of one Lord, constrained by the same love, fighting under one banner, cheered by assurances of the same victory; a living and loving union, whose voice in the divine ear is as the sound of many waters. Accordingly, what they ask "on earth" is done for them, says Jesus, "of My Father which is in heaven." Not for nothing does He say, "of My Father"—not "YOUR Father"; as is evident from what follows: "For where two or three are gathered together unto My name"—the "My" is emphatic, "there am I in the midst of them." As His name would prove a spell to draw together many clusters of His dear disciples, so if there should be but two or three, that will attract Himself down into the midst of them; and related as He is to both the parties, the petitioners and the Petitioned—to the one on earth by the tie of His assumed flesh, and to the other in heaven by the tie of His eternal Spirit—their symphonious prayers on earth would thrill upward through Him to heaven, be carried by Him into the holiest of all, and so reach the Throne. Thus will He be the living Conductor of the prayer upward, and the answer downward.
Parable of the Unmerciful Debtor (Mt 18:21-35).
21. Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?—In the recent dispute, Peter had probably been an object of special envy, and his forwardness in continually answering for all the rest would likely be cast up to him—and if so, probably by Judas—notwithstanding his Master's commendations. And as such insinuations were perhaps made once and again, he wished to know how often and how long he was to stand it.
till seven times?—This being the sacred and complete number, perhaps his meaning was, Is there to be a limit at which the needful forbearance will be full?
22. Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times; but, Until seventy times seven—that is, so long as it shall be needed and sought: you are never to come to the point of refusing forgiveness sincerely asked. (See on Lu 17:3, 4).
23. Therefore—"with reference to this matter."
is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants—or, would scrutinize the accounts of his revenue collectors.
24. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents—If Attic talents are here meant, 10,000 of them would amount to above a million and a half sterling; if Jewish talents, to a much larger sum.
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—(See 2Ki 4:1; Ne 5:8; Le 25:39).
26. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him—or did humble obeisance to him.
saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all—This was just an acknowledgment of the justice of the claim made against him, and a piteous imploration of mercy.
27. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt—Payment being hopeless, the master is first moved with compassion; next, liberates his debtor from prison; and then cancels the debt freely.
28. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants—Mark the difference here. The first case is that of master and servant; in this case, both are on a footing of equality. (See Mt 18:33, below.)
which owed him an hundred pence—If Jewish money is intended, this debt was to the other less than one to a million.
and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat—he seized and throttled him.
saying, Pay me that thou owest—Mark the mercilessness even of the tone.
29. And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all—The same attitude, and the same words which drew compassion from his master, are here employed towards himself by his fellow servant.
30. And he would not; but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt, &c.—Jesus here vividly conveys the intolerable injustice and impudence which even the servants saw in this act on the part of one so recently laid under the heaviest obligation to their common master.
32, 33. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, &c.—Before bringing down his vengeance upon him, he calmly points out to him how shamefully unreasonable and heartless his conduct was; which would give the punishment inflicted on him a double sting.
34. And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors—more than jailers; denoting the severity of the treatment which he thought such a case demanded.
till he should pay all that was due unto him.
35. So likewise—in this spirit, or on this principle.
shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.