Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 6

What does binding and loosing mean in this passage?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 8

What does Jesus mean by forgiving seventy times seven times?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Matthew 18:1

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

The Greatest in the Kingdom

Temptations and Trespasses

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

A Brother Who Sins

Ask in My Name

The Unforgiving Servant

The Greatest in the Kingdom

Cross References

Matthew 18:1

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

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The Greatest in the Kingdom

Temptations and Trespasses

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

A Brother Who Sins

Ask in My Name

The Unforgiving Servant

The Greatest in the Kingdom

Cross References