Matthew – Chapter 18

New Testament35 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 18 of Matthew begins: "At that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Who, thinkest thou, is the greater in the kingdom of heaven?" Peter stands at the center of this chapter. Across its 35 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and God's kingdom and kingship. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1At that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Who, thinkest thou, is the greater in the kingdom of heaven?

2And Jesus, calling unto him a little child, set him in the midst of them.

3And said: amen I say to you, unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

4Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the kingdom of heaven.

5And he that shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me.

6But he that shall scandalize one of these little ones that believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be drowned in the depth of the sea.

7Woe to the world because of scandals. For it must needs be that scandals come: but nevertheless woe to that man by whom the scandal cometh.

8And if thy hand, or thy foot, scandalize thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee. It is better for thee to go into life maimed or lame, than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into everlasting fire.

9And if thy eye scandalize thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee. It is better for thee having one eye to enter into life, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

10See that you despise not one of these little ones: for I say to you, that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.

11For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

12What think you? If a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them should go astray: doth he not leave the ninety-nine in the mountains, and goeth to seek that which is gone astray?

13And if it so be that he find it: Amen I say to you, he rejoiceth more for that, than for the ninety-nine that went not astray.

14Even so it is not the will of your Father, who is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

15But if thy brother shall offend against thee, go, and rebuke him between thee and him alone. If he shall hear thee, thou shalt gain thy brother.

16And if he will not hear thee, take with thee one or two more: that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may stand.

17And if he will not hear them: tell the church. And if he will not hear the church, let him be to thee as the heathen and publican.

18Amen I say to you, whatsoever you shall bind upon earth, shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever you shall loose upon earth, shall be loosed also in heaven.

19Again I say to you, that if two of you shall consent upon earth, concerning anything whatsoever they shall ask, it shall be done to them by my Father who is in heaven.

20For where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

21Then came Peter unto him and said: Lord, how often shall my brother offend against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

22Jesus saith to him: I say not to thee, till seven times; but till seventy times seven times.

23Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened to a king, who would take an account of his servants.

24And when he had begun to take the account, one as brought to him, that owed him ten thousand talents.

25And as he had not wherewith to pay it, his lord commanded that he should be sold, and his wife and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

26But that servant falling down, besought him, saying: Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

27And the lord of that servant being moved with pity, let him go and forgave him the debt.

28But when that servant was gone out, he found one of his fellow-servants that owed him an hundred pence: and laying hold of him, he throttled him, saying: Pay what thou owest.

29And his fellow-servant falling down, besought him, saying: Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

30And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he paid the debt.

31Now his fellow servants seeing what was done, were very much grieved, and they came, and told their lord all that was done.

32Then his lord called him: and said to him: Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all the debt, because thou besoughtest me:

33Shouldst not thou then have had compassion also on thy fellow servant, even as I had compassion on thee?

34And his lord being angry, delivered him to the torturers until he paid all the debt.

35So also shall my heavenly Father do to you, if you forgive not every one his brother from your hearts.

Important Verses in Matthew 18

At that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Who, thinkest thou, is the greater in the kingdom of heaven?

Matthew 18:1

Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 18:4

Then came Peter unto him and said: Lord, how often shall my brother offend against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

Matthew 18:21

So also shall my heavenly Father do to you, if you forgive not every one his brother from your hearts.

Matthew 18:35

Historical Context

Matthew addresses jewish Christians, shown that Jesus fulfills the Scriptures of Israel within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 18 of 28 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 35 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Historical attention falls on Peter, the principal figures named in this chapter. The chapter begins: "At that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Who, thinkest thou, is the greater in the kingdom of heaven?" It concludes: "So also shall my heavenly Father do to you, if you forgive not every one his brother from your hearts. " In terms of historical background, Matthew wrote for Jewish Christians, presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets—the Son of David, the new Moses who delivers the Sermon on the Mount. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: About AD 70-85; early tradition places a first version among Jewish Christians.

Who Wrote It

The Apostle Matthew (Levi), the former tax collector, according to unanimous early tradition

When It Was Written

About AD 70-85; early tradition places a first version among Jewish Christians

Catholic Commentary

The literal sense of Matthew 18 presents a concrete episode in the history of Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish hopes. A pivotal line is verse 1: "At that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Who, thinkest thou, is the greater in the kingdom of heaven?" The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

Catholic exegesis reads Matthew 18 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. Matthew shows Christ as the new Moses and true Israel (CIC 577). St. Cyril of Alexandria and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 2559).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Matthew 18 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.
  • God's mercy is greater than any sin; He calls us to receive His forgiveness and extend it to others.

People in This Chapter

Peter1 mention

Reflection for Today

In Matthew Chapter 18, the Church invites us to listen attentively to God's Word within the broader narrative of Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish hopes.

The Second Vatican Council reminded the faithful that Scripture should permeate Catholic spirituality (Dei Verbum, 21-26). Matthew Chapter 18 supports that call by drawing attention to trust in providence amid uncertainty within the wider message that All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

If this passage raises questions, seek the Church's teaching through the Catechism, a faithful priest, or sound Catholic commentaries. Private interpretation must remain in harmony with the Magisterium (CIC 756).

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Matthew Chapter 18 about?

Matthew 18 contains 35 verses. It opens with "At that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Who, thinkest thou, is the greater in the kingdom of heaven?" and closes with "So also shall my heavenly Father do to you, if you forgive not every one his brother from your hearts. ". The book as a whole is gospel.

What is a key verse in Matthew 18?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "At that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Who, thinkest thou, is the greater in the kingdom of heaven?" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Matthew Chapter 18?

This chapter mentions Peter.

Who wrote Matthew and when?

The Apostle Matthew (Levi), the former tax collector, according to unanimous early tradition. About AD 70-85; early tradition places a first version among Jewish Christians.

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