What does Jesus mean by becoming like little children in this passage?

When Jesus says people must “be converted, and become as little children,” he is not telling them to be childish but childlike. A small child in that culture had no status or power and depended completely on others. Jesus uses this picture to show that anyone who wants to enter God’s kingdom must turn from pride and self-importance, and come to God with simple trust, lowliness, and willingness to be taught. Without that humble change of heart, a person does not even enter the kingdom, much less become “great” in it.

Why does Jesus warn so strongly about offending the little ones?

The “little ones” are those who seem weak, young, or unimportant, but who believe in Jesus. He warns that causing them to stumble in faith is very serious. Saying it would be better to have a millstone tied to the neck and be drowned shows how grave this sin is. God pays close attention to these humble believers, and their angels are before his face. So Jesus teaches that believers must never despise or harm them, but instead protect and respect them, knowing God himself cares for them deeply.

What does Jesus mean by cutting off a hand or foot that offends?

Jesus is using very sharp word pictures to show how serious sin is. He does not want people to literally cut off body parts. Instead, he is saying that if something as close and useful as a hand, foot, or eye is leading you into sin, you must deal with it firmly. It is better to lose something precious in this life than to keep sinning and face “everlasting fire.” He wants his followers to take radical, honest steps to turn from sin, not to treat it lightly or make excuses.

What is the meaning of the story about the lost sheep in this chapter?

The story of the man with a hundred sheep shows God’s heart for those who wander. When one sheep strays, the shepherd leaves the ninety-nine in safety and goes into the mountains to seek the one that is lost. When he finds it, he rejoices over it even more than over those who did not wander. Jesus explains that in the same way, the Father in heaven does not want any of these “little ones” to perish. God cares for each humble believer and gladly seeks and restores the one who has gone astray.

How are believers told to handle a brother who sins against them?

Jesus gives a simple, careful process. First, go to your brother privately and show him his fault, aiming to win him back, not to shame him. If he listens, you have gained your brother. If he will not listen, take one or two others so there are witnesses. If he still refuses, tell it to the church. If he will not listen even to the church, treat him as an outsider. This shows that sin is serious, but the goal at every step is restoration, not revenge or gossip.

What does binding and loosing mean in this passage?

When Jesus says, “Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven” and “loose on earth,” he is speaking about the church’s authority when it deals with sin and restoration in the way he has just described. Binding points to keeping someone under discipline when they refuse to repent, and loosing points to restoring and forgiving when they turn back. He is saying that when the church follows his teaching faithfully, its decisions on earth reflect what God has already approved in heaven.

Why does Jesus say where two or three are gathered in his name he is there?

Jesus has just spoken about believers agreeing in prayer and about the church acting together in matters of sin and forgiveness. When he says, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them,” he is comforting them. Even a small group that truly gathers in his name, seeking his will and honoring him, is not alone. He is present with them, especially as they pray and make hard decisions, so they can rely on his nearness and guidance.

What does Jesus mean by forgiving seventy times seven times?

Peter thought he was being generous when he suggested forgiving a brother up to seven times. Jesus answers “seventy times seven,” which points to forgiveness that does not keep count. He is not giving a fixed number, but showing that his followers should forgive again and again. This does not mean ignoring sin, since he has just spoken about dealing with it, but it does mean that whenever a brother truly turns back, we should be ready to forgive, reflecting the great patience God has shown to us.

What is the lesson of the parable of the unforgiving servant?

In the parable, a servant owes an impossibly large debt and cannot pay. His master shows great mercy and forgives it all. But that same servant then refuses to forgive a fellow servant a much smaller debt and has him thrown into prison. When the master hears, he is angry and hands the first servant over to tormentors. Jesus says this shows what will happen if we do not forgive from the heart. Those who have been forgiven much by God must show mercy to others, not cling to grudges.

What does this passage teach about God’s care and character?

This passage shows God as a Father who values the lowly, protects the weak, and seeks the lost. He cares so much for the “little ones” that their angels see his face. He is holy and takes sin seriously, warning about hell and judgment. Yet he is full of compassion, like the shepherd who rejoices over the found sheep and the king who forgives a huge debt. At the same time, he expects those who receive mercy to show mercy, and he supports the church as it seeks to reflect his justice and grace.

Matt.18.1

Matthew 18:1

KJV

At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

The Greatest in the Kingdom

1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,

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.

And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

Temptations and Trespasses

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.

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!

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.

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.

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

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.

A Brother Who Sins

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.

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.

Ask in My Name

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.

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

The Unforgiving Servant

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.

And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.

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.

The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

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.

And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

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

So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

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:

Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.