matthew-18:20-nkjv,nlt

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 18:19-20

It should be obvious from the context that this promise does not refer to whatever two or three disciples agree to ask God for in prayer. The Bible contains many promises concerning prayer (cf. Matthew 7:7-8; Matthew 21:22; John 14:13-14; John 15:7-8; John 15:16; 1 John 5:14-15; et al.), but this is not one of them.In the context "anything" refers to any judicial decision involving an erring disciple that the other disciples may make corporately. God has always stood behind His judicial... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 18:1-35

Offending the Little Ones. The Unmerciful Servant1-14. Ambition reproved, and humility taught by the example of a little child (Mark 9:33-37; Luke 9:46-48).1. Who is the greatest?] RV ’Who then is greatest?’ The ’then’is explained from St. Mark’s statement that on the way to Capernaum the disciples had been disputing who was the greatest. The Transfiguration had revived the hopes of the three leading apostles that the Kingdom of Christ was about to be established, and the Twelve were divided... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 18:20

(20) Where two or three . . .—The true meaning of the words is well embodied in the well-known patristic axiom, Ubi tres, ibi Ecclesia (“Where three are there is a church”). The strength of the Christian society was not to be measured by a numerical standard, but by its fulfilment of the true conditions of its life. The presence of Christ was as true and mighty, His communion with His Church as real, when His followers were but as a remnant, as when they were gathered in the great congregation.... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Matthew 18:1-35

Spiritual Sins Matthew 18:1 I. Spiritual Envy. Our text relates to the first occasion. Our Lord has just taken St. Peter, St. James and St. John away from the other disciples into the Mount of Transfiguration. The other disciples had doubtless plied them with questions, but they could get no information from them as to what had happened. We can understand their thought how on the part of the nine disciples there may have been envy at this time, envy of the other three because of the greater... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Matthew 18:1-35

7Chapter 14Last Words at Capernaum - Matthew 17:22-27; Matthew 18:1-35THE TEMPLE TRIBUTE {Matthew 17:22-27}THE way southward lies through Galilee; but the time of Galilee’s visitation is now over, so Jesus avoids public attention as much as possible, and gives Himself up to the instruction of His disciples, especially to impressing upon their minds the new lesson of the Cross, which they find it so very hard to realise, or even to understand. A brief stay in Capernaum was to be expected; and... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Matthew 18:1-35

6. Instructions to His Disciples. Concerning Forgiveness. CHAPTER 18 1. Concerning the Little Ones and Offences. (Matthew 18:1-10 .) 2. The Son of Man to Save What is Lost. (Matthew 18:11-14 .) 3. The Church Anticipated and Instructions Concerning it. (Matthew 18:15-20 .) 4. Concerning Forgiveness. (Matthew 18:21-35 .) So closely is this chapter connected with the events of the previous one that it should not be divided into a separate chapter at all. It was “in that hour” the disciples... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 18:1-35

Though the Lord Jesus has been seen to forego His own rights, He who is by right infinitely great, the disciples show the opposite attitude in desiring some rights above those of others in the kingdom. This is evident (though perhaps thinly veiled) in their question as to who is greater in the kingdom. They all need the object lesson the Lord gives them. Calling a little child (who obediently comes), He virtually tells them that one who desired greatness would not even enter the kingdom, let... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Matthew 18:1-35

SECOND STATEMENT OF DEATH The first announcement of His death and resurrection by our Lord in the last lesson, connected His suffering with the act of His own nation, while this predicts the part played in it by one of His own band (Matthew 17:22-23 ). It furnishes a starting point for a new lesson as in the other case. The incident concluding chapter 17, is full of suggestive teaching. It is the temple tribute that is in mind, about sixty cents of our money, and Peter in saying “Yes,” has... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Matthew 18:15-35

Chapter 73 Prayer Almighty God, our hearts have a longing desire to enter into thy courts, even into the innermost place of thy dwelling, there to behold such of thy glory as our vision can endure. Thou hast inspired us with a great ambition: this is not of our own creation, but of thine; our desire is to see thee, to love thee, to read thy truth more deeply and more understandingly, and to express thy purpose in all the breadth and force of our daily life. We have come home, we have been... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Matthew 18:20

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." To the little infirmities, which from the remains of indwelling corruption, may, and will, occasionally break out, how precious is the direction of Jesus. Oh! that it were more generally adopted in the Church of Christ! And what an unanswerable argument doth the Lord here leave upon record, for the constant meeting together of his whole body, both in private and public ordinances. Zec_2:5; Zec_2:10-11 ;... read more