Matthew 18

Matthew 18:1

AT the same time] Mark 9 33. Luke 9. 46.

came the disciples] After they had disputed in the way which of them should be greatest, and were ashamed to tell Christ what they disputed of, though he asked them (as appears in the other evangelists) at length they took courage, and propound the question to him: yet they mince the matter; for whereas before they did dispute which of themselves should be greatest, here they ask onely who should, whether of themselves, or others: and they adde, In the kingdom of heaven, as if they did not look after worldly greatnesse.

Who is the greatest] Gr. Who then is the greatest? As if the occasion arose from the last action of Christ pronouncing himself free from worldly tribute, as being the Sonne of the heavenly King. See the like inference, Romans 8:1.

in the kingdom of heaven] Of glory in heaven: or, in Christs temporall kingdom here, which shall be established by the God of heaven, to overthrow other kingdoms, and abide for ever, Daniel 2:44.

Matthew 18:2

a little childe] A young childe, whom he might take in his arms, Mark 9:36. So the prophets often taught the people by outward signes, as Jeremiah 27:1. Ezek. 24.

Matthew 18:3

Except ye be converted] A kinde of speech taken from the Hebrews, to set out repentance, which is the altering of a mans course for the better, as he that is gone out of the way turns back, to return into the right away again. Or it may be more particularly meant here, of turning from ambitious thoughts, which then possessed them, to humility of minde.

become as little children] Not in ignorance, but in lowlinesse of spirit, 1 Corinthians 14:20.

ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven] Much lesse have a prime place there, such as ye expect.

Matthew 18:4

Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little childe] That is, so humbleth himself, as that for humble disposition he become like this childe; for the childe, to speak properly, could not humble himself. Whosoever doth not think highly of himself, no more then this little childe doth. Humblenesse of minde is the right way to preeminence.

Matthew 18:5

one such little childe] One like such a childe, in the qualitie before mentioned, Psalms 131:2. and Psalms 119:141.

Matthew 18:6

But whoso shall offend] Mark 9:42. Luke 17. 1, 2.

one of these little ones] Shall, by wrong or contempt (which oft deters, and turns men aside from profession of pietie, or pious courses) offend such an humbled soul, v. 5. men being most prone to deal so with persons so disposed.

it were better for him] Because he shall suffer a worse punishment in hell.

that a mill-stone, &c.] Gr. an asse-milstone. Not a light one, such as is turned about by mans hand in a quern; but a great and heavie one, such as asses and other beasts use to drive about in a mill. Or, as some take it, the nether millstone; so called, because it lay unmoved, while the other moved upon it, and is usually the thicker and heavier of of the two. It seems that great malefactours were sometimes so drowned.

Matthew 18:7

Wo unto the world] Many mischiefs will fall on mankinde, by reason of offences, for of them are both the offendants, v. 8, 9. and the offended, v. 10.

because of offences] Letts and hinderances, which stop the course of good works. The Greek word importeth thus much, things which we stumble at.

it must needs be] Offences must needs come, not onely in regard of mens evill dispositions, that will be breaking out into such courses; but also of Gods wise permission, for usefull ends, 1 Corinthians 11:19.

but wo to that man] This is added, to shew, that Gods prudent permission neither enforceth mans will, nor excuseth his act.

Matthew 18:8

Wherefore if thy hand] For this, and the verse following, see on chap. 5. 30 Mark 9:45.

Matthew 18:10

Take heed] Gr. See: as chap. 16. 6. and 24. 4.

that ye despise not] See on v. 6.

one of these little ones] Not in yeers, but in humility, as before, v. 3. God takes care of every one of them.

their angels] God sets his angels especially to take care of such as are least able to help themselves.

behold the face of my Father] Wait for Gods commandment, to be employed for the good of poor and humble believers, Psalms 34:7. and Psalms 91:11. Hebrews 1:14. This shews Gods especiall providence over them; as if a king, being a father, should appoint some of the nobles that wait on his person, to take care of the welfare and safetie of his little ones.

Matthew 18:11

For the Sonne of man] Luke 19. 10. If ye will not take heed of despising these little ones for the angels sake, whom God hath sent to attend them; yet do it for my sake, who came into the world to save them, Romans 14:15. Cor. 8. 11.

save that which was lost] Not onely contemned ones, but ch as ye may think desperate, and clean lost, Isaiah 27:13.

Matthew 18:12

How think ye] Luke 15. 4. Be ye your selves judges, an weigh the matter by the ordinary practice of shepherds.

one of them be ne astray] As Jeremiah 50:6.

doth he not leave tietie and nine] So many are mch more worth then one; yet such is his affection to that on, that he leaveth them all, to seek it.

Matthew 18:13

he rejoyceth more of that sheep] Because the other were safe before, but this was in a manner lost, Luke 1 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 32.

Matthew 18:14

it is not the will of your Father] If m coming into the world will not move you, let Gods care them move you: it is not pleasing to him that any of them sould perish; but very displeasing: for he seeks them by his rinisters, and rejoyces greatly when they are found.

Matthew 18:15

if thy brother shall trespasse] Levit 19. 17. Luke 17. 3.

against thee] By doing thee a particular njury: or, as others, by sinning against God in thy sigh, and so offending thee.

go and tell him his fault] Tarry not till he ome to thee, but, if he neglect his dutie, go to him.

between thee and him alone] That he may e evidently, that thou doest it not to disgrace him, nor t insult over him; but out of desire of his spirituall good, and the reparation of the wrong done.

if he shall hear thee] If, upon thy admonition or reproof, he shall confesse his fault.

thou hast gained thy brother] Thou hast or a friend of him; or, thou hast holpen to save his soul, Janes 5. 20.

Matthew 18:16

take with thee one or two more] That he may the more respect thy words, and thou mayest hav witnesse of thy brotherly proceeding with him, if thou shalt be forced to complain publikely.

in the mouth of two or three witnesses] Deuteronomy 19:15. John 8:17. 2 Corinthians 13:1. Hebrews 10:28. That is, by the word or witnesse. Mouth is put for speech.

every word may be established] Everything (as Luke 1:37.) may be accounted certain, and out of all further question.

Matthew 18:17

if he shall neglect to hear] Word for word, if he do not vouchsafe to hear.

them] It seems then, that they should not be bare witnesses; but seek also to perswade the party to confesse his fault.

unto the Church] Unto the ministers or governours of the Church: or, unto a greater number.

let him be unto thee, &c.] Thou mayest then carry thy self toward him, as toward a man profane, and void of religion; such men Jews called Gentiles, whose company they shunned. And such they accounted the Publicans to be. See chap. 9. 10.

as an heathen man] 1 Corinthians 5:9. 2 Thessalonians 3:14.

Matthew 18:18

Whatsoever ye shall binde on earth] John 20:23. 1 Corinthians 5:4. By convincing men of sin against God, or of wrong done to you. Some understand it of just excommunication of obstinate sinners.

in heaven] Before God.

whatsoever ye shall loose] By reducing to repentance. Others understand it of absolution, or freeing from the censure of excommunication upon good ground.

Matthew 18:19

if two of you] Here he speaks to them, as to private men met together to make peace, or for any other work of pietie or charitie. Or, it may be understood of the brother wronging and wronged: or of the wronged, and parties taken in to assist, as before; yea, though they be two alone, or but two.

shall agree on earth] This word is translated from things bodily to spirituall; for it belongeth properly to musick: for it signifies properly an harmonie or consent, but is here used to signifie a consent and agreement of minde and will.

as touching any thing] Any good thing well carried, or well desired, and to a good end. Or, about the reconciliation spoken of before.

Matthew 18:20

gathered together] In prayer, or other pious works, and agree together therein, as v. 19.

there am I in the midst of them] An argument of Christs divine power, and of his speciall presence with his, as chap. 28. 20.

Matthew 18:21

how oft] A question moved, by occasion of our Saviours former speech, v. 15.

Matthew 18:22

untill seventy times seven] As oft as he shall repent, and ask forgivenesse. A certain number for an uncertain. Peters seven is multiplied to seventy times seven, Luke 17:4. See somewhat the like phrase, Genesis 4:24.

Matthew 18:23

Therefore] To this end I do tell you the ensuing parable, that ye may be willing to forgive often, who have had so many sins forgiven you.

the kingdom of heaven] Gods spirituall government in his Church, re-established by the Messias.

Matthew 18:24

ten thousand talents] Of a talent, see on 1 Chron. 22. 14.

Matthew 18:25

and his wife and children] This was the course of discharging debts in the old Testament, when men had not to pay, To sell them and theirs for slaves, Leviticus 25:39. 2 Kings 4. 1.

to be made] Gr. to be given from thence.

Matthew 18:26

worshipped him] Or, besought him. This was a civill reverence, which was very usuall in the east, Genesis 27:3. and 33. 3.

have patience with me] Yeeld not too much to thine anger against me. So is God said in Scripture to be slowe to anger, Exodus 34:6. that is to say, Patient, and not easily provoked; and, not to stir up all his wrath, Psalms 78:38.

Matthew 18:27

forgave him the debt] Did more for him then he asked. He desired but days of payment, and the king clean remits the debt.

Matthew 18:28

an hundred pence] The Romane peny is the eighth part of an ounce, which, after five shillings the ounce, is seven pence half-peny. A small sum, in comparison of that which was forgiven him, that the difference might appear to be the greater; for there is no proportion between them. If God forgive us great sinnes, we must forgive others small wrongs, else are we inexcusable.

Matthew 18:29

his fellow-servant fell down at his feet] This was a greater degree of humiliation, then to fall down to a superiour.

Matthew 18:30

he would not] He that had found greater favour from a superiour, denies a lesse courtesie to an equall. He had been forgiven, and he denies time to pay.

Matthew 18:31

told unto their lord] Gr. manifested. Our of their pity they laid all open, with the circumstances of his cruelty.

Matthew 18:32

I for gave thee all that debt] Not part of it, but the whole. This aggravates his fault.

because thou desiredst me] Upon thy intreaty, without any satisfaction at all.

Matthew 18:33

on thy fellow-servant] Thou hadst more reason to pity him, then I had to pity thee, because he was thy fellow-servant.

Matthew 18:34

tormentours] Those that keep men committed to prison in much streits and hardship.

all that was due to him] He must now look for no more favour.

Matthew 18:35

So likewise] This parable informs us, that they shall finde God severe and implacable, that do not forgive their brethren, although they have been diversly and grievously injured by them.

from your hearts] Sincerely, not in shew onely, neither seeking to revenge, nor keeping in minde, Leviticus 19:18. for so would ye have God to forgive you, Ephesians 4:32. Colossians 3:13.

every one] Of what rank or degree soever: superiours must as well forgive inseriours, as look for forgivenesse from them.

his brother] Not his fellow-servant, as before, but his brother, v. 15. A stronger argument for forgivenesse.

their trespasses] Of all sorts, great or small.