HUMBLE YOURSELF AS A LITTLE CHILD

1 AT the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
3 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.
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

PARABLE OF A LOST SHEEP
10 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.
11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
12 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?
13 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.
14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

WHEN ONE BROTHER SINS AGAINST ANOTHER
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.
16 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.
17 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.
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.
19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing 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, there am I in the midst of them.

FORGIVING OTHERS
21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
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.
26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

1At the same time came the Disciples vnto Iesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the Kingdome of heauen?

2And Iesus called a little child vnto him, and set him in the midst of them,

3And said, Uerily I say vnto you, Except yee be conuerted, and become as little children, yee shall not enter into the kingdome of heauen.

4Whosoeuer therefore shall humble himselfe as this little childe, the same is greatest in the Kingdome of heauen.

5And who so shall receiue one such little child in my name, receiueth me.

6But who so shall offend one of these little ones which beleeue in me, it were better for him that a milstone were hanged about his necke, and that hee were drowned in the depth of the Sea.

7 Woe vnto the world because of offences: for it must needs be that offences come: but wo to that man by whom the offence commeth.

8Wherefore if thy hand or thy foote offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather then hauing two hands or two feete, to be cast into euerlasting fire.

9And if thine eie offend thee, plucke it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eie, rather then hauing two eies, to be cast into hell fire.

10Take heed that yee despise not one of these little ones: for I say vnto you, that in heauen their Angels do alwaies behold the face of my father which is in heauen.

11For the sonne of man is come to saue that which was lost.

12How thinke yee? if a man haue an hundred sheepe, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leaue the ninetie and nine, and goeth into the mountaines, and seeketh that which is gone astray?

13And if so be that he find it, Uerily I say vnto you, hee reioyceth more of that sheepe, then of the ninetie and nine which went not astray.

14Euen so, it is not the will of your father which is in heauen, that one of these little ones should perish.

15 Moreouer, if thy brother shall trespasse against thee, goe and tell him his fault betweene thee and him alone: if he shall heare thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

16But if he will not heare thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses, euery word may be established.

17And if hee shall neglect to heare them, tell it vnto the Church: But if he neglect to heare the Church, let him be vnto thee as an heathen man, and a Publicane.

18Uerily I say vnto you, Whatsoeuer ye shall binde on earth, shall bee bound in heauen: and whatsoeuer yee shall loose on earth, shall bee loosed in heauen.

19Againe I say vnto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall aske, it shall bee done for them of my father which is in heauen.

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

21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sinne against mee, and I forgiue him? till seuen times?

22Iesus saith vnto him, I say not vnto thee, Untill seuen times: but, Untill seuentie times seuen.

23 Therefore is the kingdome of heauen likened vnto a certaine king, which would take accompt of his seruants.

24And when hee had begun to reckon, one was brought vnto him which ought him ten thousand talents.

25But forasmuch as hee had not to pay, his lord commanded him to bee sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

26The seruant therfore fell downe, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, haue patience with mee, and I will pay thee all.

27Then the Lord of that seruant was moued with compassion, and loosed him, and forgaue him the debt.

28But the same seruant went out, and found one of his fellow-seruants, which ought him an hundred pence: and hee layd handes on him, and tooke him by the throte, saying, Pay mee that thou owest.

29And his fellow seruant fell downe at his feete, and besought him, saying, Haue patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

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

31So when his fellow-seruants saw what was done, they were very sorie, and came, and told vnto their lord all that was done.

32Then his lord, after that hee had called him, said vnto him, O thou wicked seruant, I forgaue thee all that debt because thou desiredst me:

33Shouldest not thou also haue had compassion on thy fellow-seruant, euen as I had pitie on thee?

34And his lord was wroth, and deliuered him to the tormentors, till hee should pay all that was due vnto him.

35So likewise shall my heauenly Father doe also vnto you, if yee from your hearts forgiue not euery one his brother their trespasses.

 

I == Mark 9:33 ; Luke 9:46 ; 22:24

 

 

III == Ps131:2 ; Matt 19:14 ; Mark 10:14 ; Luke 18:16 ; 1st Cor 14:20 ; 1st Peter 2:2

 

IV == Matt 20:27 ; 23:11

 

 

V == Matt 10:42 ; Luke 9:48

 

VI == Mark 9:42 ; Luke 17:1-2

 

 

VII == Matt 26:24 ; Luke 17:1 ; 1st Cor 11:19

 

 

VIII == Matt 5:29-30 ; Mark 9:43 , 45

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X == Esth 1:14 ; Ps 34:7 ; Zech 13:7 ; Luke 1:19 ; Heb 1:14

 

 

XI == Luke 9:56 ; 19:10 ; John 3:17 ; 12:47

XII == Luke 15:4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

XV ==Lev 19:17 ; Luke 17:3 ; James 5:20 ; 1st Peter 3:1

 

 

XVI Deut 17:6 ; 19:15 ; John 8:17 ; 2nd Cor 13:1 ; Heb 10:28

 

 

 

 

 

XVIII == Matt 16:19 ; John 20:23 ; 1st Cor 5:4

 

 

XIX == Matt 5:24 ; 1st John 3:22 ; 5:14

 

 

 

 

 

XXI == Luke 17:4

 

 

XXII == Matt 6:14 ; Mark 11:25 ; Col 3:13

 

 

 

 

 

 

XXV == 2nd Kings 4:1 ; Neh 5:8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

XXXV == Prov 21:13 ; Matt 6:12 ; Mark 11:26 ; James 2:13

 

 

 

1 At that time the disciples approached Jesus and said, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" 2 He called a child over, placed it in their midst, 3 and said, "Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. 6 "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of things that cause sin! Such things must come, but woe to the one through whom they come! 8 If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter into life maimed or crippled than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into fiery Gehenna. 10 "See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.

11 (1) "For the Son of Man has come to save what was lost"; some manuscripts may of added this,

12 What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray? 13 And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. 14 In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost. 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 won over your brother. 16 If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that 'every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.' 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. 18 Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again, (amen,) I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." 21 Then Peter approaching asked him, "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?" 22 Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. 23 That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. 25 Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. 26 At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.' 27 Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. 28 When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, 'Pay back what you owe.' 29 Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.' 30 But he refused. Instead, he had him put in prison until he paid back the debt. 31 Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. 32 His master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. 33 Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?' 34 Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. 35 So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart."

The parable of the lost sheep is told in Matthew 18:12 to enforce the warning against dispising little one ( children) They are used for others than defenses, they appeals intended to change foes to friends and turn disciples from crities. The set forth the wonder of God's loce and constitute the parables of Grace.

v 1-6. V 1. WHO IS THE GREATEST...? A queston prompted by the honor of Peter and Jesus favoritism. (16:17-19 17:1 27) From Mk. 9:32-34 and Lk. 9:46-48 we learn that the disciples were disputing on the way to Capernaum about who would be greatest in the kingdom of heaven, or what great positions they would have. When Jesus questioned them, at first they were reluctant to tell Him. For illustration, he called a little child and took him in His arms in their midst. V 3 LIKE CHILDREN: total dependence on God is required to enter the kingdom. Those who must lead the church child like simplicity is especially demanded on. They must lead the church with servant hood and humility. All are called to trust the Father for daily provisions and the graces necessary far salvation (6"25-33)
Then he taught them that they must be converted, and those who were humble as a little child would be the greatest. Instead of thinking about positions, they should have been thinking about serving others. Children were overlooked in that day, so Jesus stressed them as an important need. He even warned the dire consequence of causing one of the little ones to be offended, to stumble. Mark adds that those who receive a child in my name receives me. This led to further comment, or perhaps they tried to change the subject to one casting out demons in Jesus’ name, see Mk. 38-41. He told them even one giving a cup of water in His name is worthy of reward. Narrow denominationalism is to be avoided. See Mk. 9:42-50 for related comments regarding giving up all for Christ (but not self mutualization) and salt in believers. V 6 WHO BELIEVE IN ME: A large stone that was used for milling grain. The punishment that that of ten reserved for the worst criminals was drowning.

v 7-11. Jesus continues that those who cause offenses (to stumble) will suffer judgment if they do not repent of their sins. Jesus was not promoting self mutilation, but showing the seriousness of removing the things in our lives that offend. Children are so important that God has entrusted angels with their care. Perhaps a special group of angels, and we wonder if the millions of aborted babies are under a special group of angels. Also this raises speculation that each of us has a guardian angel.

SCANDALIZE THEE: Cause thee to offend.

V 8-9 Jesus was using strong severe language in attempt to make them understand the severity of going to hell. V 10 GOD'S ANGELS ARE PROTECTORS, GUIDES, AND HELPERS TO HIS PEOPLE. (Tob 12:12 Job 33:23-24 PS 34:7 91:11 Acts 12:15 Heb 1:14) It has been taught by many that God assigns everyone an angel to watch over them throught out their life. HALL SCANDALIZE: That is shall put a stumblingblock in their way, and cause them to fall into sin.

v 12-14. A HUNDRED SHEEP: Jesus is often described as a shepherd who goes to seek out ( being place on the cross and rose from the dead ) and rescue the lost sheep (man who accepts him as their Savior LK 19:10 Heb 12:22 also look at the messianic prohecy of Ezed 34:11-31) ) of his fold. Demonstrating the importance of children further, Jesus compares care for each of them to how a shepherd would leave the ninety nine to search for a lost sheep.. Care should also be shown in reaching adult “sheep” for the Lord. VERSES 16 TWO OR THREE WITNESS: In the Old Covenant Israel (Deut 19:15) was the criteria for judicial testimony. Jesus's language reinforces the church's identity as the restored Israel of the New Covenant (Gal 6:16 2ND cor 13:1) see more notes at MT 5:14V 15-20 CHURCH DISAPLINE IS A VERY SERIOUS MATTER FOR THE CHURCH LEADERS. JESUS OUT LINES A PROCEDURE FOR (1) Privately confronting the sinner. (2) Addressing the sin before a circle of witnesses (3) Bring the matter before the church. Emplesis is placed on forgiveness. If the memger resists all the chuch attempts then the church's leaders can disciple the person (18:19)

v 15-17. The first step in reconciliation is to go to the one at fault privately first, v 15. The second step is to take along two or three witnesses for clear understanding, v 16. The third step, if he still won’t recognize his error, it is to be taken before the whole church, v 17. If he still refuses to recognize his sin, he is to be expelled as a pagan. If a brother has something against us, we are to seek reconciliation quickly, Matt. 5:23-26.
V 17 THE CHURCH: Mentioned only here and 16:18 in the Gospels. Verse 16:18 envisions Peter's authority over the universal church. 1ST Cor 5:9-13 2ND 6:14-15V 18 WHATEVER YOU BIND.....LOOSE: Christ's authority is given to Peter as the visible head of the church. The apostles receive a derivative but subordinate authurity as royal ministers in the dinddom. The authority to frogivee sins is with this subordiante authority (JN 20:23 MT 9:8 16:19)v 19-20 As in Mt. 16:19, Some think this means that those who accept the gospel are loosed from their sins, those who reject are bound. In addition to this responsibility of all the Apostles was prayer. wrong!! It is important to God when two or three agree in prayer or are gathered together. C. Zech. 4:10, don’t despise the day of small things. It is best to consider v 18 as a follow up of the 15-17 discipline. If the Apostles and church have been in God’s will in restoring or expelling an offender, God will honor that in heaven. This adds importance to the 2 or 3 gathered in prayer to decide these issues. An incestuous person was rebuked, 1 Cor. 5:1-13, to be restored, 2 Cor. 2:6-8.

v 21  Lk. 17:3,4 presents the thought of forgiveness, seven times a day if necessary. Jesus told Peter to forgive, not just 7 times, but 70 x 7.

V 22 SEVENTY TIMES SEVEN: Because the number seven means who or complete it denotes limitless forgiveness and mercy. The Apostles are expected to follow the boundless vengeance of Lamech in Gen 4:24 where the same figivers of seven and seventy times seven are contrasted. MATT 18:23 THE PARABLE OF THE UNMERCIFED SERVENT
v 23-35. In this parable a man owed the king what may have been several million dollars in our money, but at his begging, the king forgave the debt. The same man threw a fellow man in jail for not paying what amounted to 3 or 4 months wages. When servants informed the king, he called the man back and put him in prison for not being equally forgiving. As in v 22, believers should forgive, no matter how many times. V 24 TEN THOUSAND TALENT: A talent (coin) is equivalent to 6000 denariri per 20 years wages for a common laborer. The figure is used to show that the king's (God's) mercy in forgiving that the servant ( man ) was impossible to repay 10,000 times 20 years equal to 200, 000 years. V 28 A HUNDRED DENARII: A denarrii was the same or equivalent to a day's wage for a laborer. It would take some time but the repayment of 100 days wages could be done. PENCE: The Roman penny was the eighth part of an ounce.

V 35 FORGIVE YOUR BROTHER: Jesus demonstrates forgiveness by for giving of our sins. There is no greater debt. So we should forgive smaller debts involving money and earthly things. Summarized in 6: 14-15.

"BROTHER: Signifies a relative, Gen 14:16 29:12 A Neighbor Deut 23:7 Jude 21:6 Neh 5:7 Any Israelite Jer 34:9 Obad 10 Mankind Gen 9:5 Matt 18:35 1st John 3:15 Companion 2nd Sam 1:26 1st King 13:30 20:33" (1)

(1) NAVES TOPICAL BIBLE by Rville J. Nave