Bible Chapter Summary
Matthew 18 Summary
Humility, Forgiveness, and the Lost Sheep
When the disciples ask who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven, Jesus calls a little child, sets him in their midst, and teaches that unless they become converted and become as little children, they shall not enter the kingdom. He warns against offending these little ones and teaches that the Son of Man came to save the lost, instructing the parable of the shepherd who leaves ninety-nine sheep to seek the one gone astray. Jesus then teaches about reconciliation with a brother who trespasses, binding and loosing on earth, and forgiveness through the parable of the unforgiving servant who is delivered to tormentors.
Key themes
Key verses
Matthew 18:3-4
“And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 18:10-14
“Take heed that ye despise 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. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.”
Matthew 18:15-17
“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. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.”
Matthew 18:35
“So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.”
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