Matthew 18:23

Matthew 18:23 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
• New International Version (NIV)“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
• English Standard Version (ESV)"Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.

Context of Matthew 18:23

21Then Peter came to Him and asked, “Lord, how many times will my brother sin against me and I forgive him and let it go? Up to seven times?” 22Jesus answered him, “I say to you, not up to seven times, but seventy times seven. “Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24When he began the accounting, one who owed him 10,000 talents was brought to him. 25But because he could not repay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and his children and everything that he possessed, and payment to be made.

Matthew 18:23 word by word

Διὰ τοῦτο ὡμοιώθη ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν ἀνθρώπῳ βασιλεῖ ὃς ἠθέλησεν συνᾶραι λόγον μετὰ τῶν δούλων αὐτοῦ.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·διάdia · through/because ofG1223
• Thereforeοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• isὁμοιόωhomoioō · to likenG3666
• the kingdomὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the kingdomβασιλείαbasileia · kingdomG932
• of heavenοὐρανόςouranos · heavenG3772
• unto a certainἄνθρωποςanthrōpos · a humanG444
• kingβασιλεύςbasileus · kingG935
• whichὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• wouldθέλωthelō ethelō · to will/desireG2309
• takeσυναίρωsunairō · to settle accountsG4868
• accountλόγοςlogos · wordG3056
• ofμετάmeta · with/afterG3326
• hisαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• servantsδοῦλοςdoulos · slaveG1401

Cross-references for Matthew 18:23

• Matthew 3:2“Repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance; seek God’s purpose for your life], for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
• Matthew 13:24Jesus gave them another parable [to consider], saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.
• Matthew 25:1“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.
• Matthew 25:19“Now after a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.
• Luke 16:1Now Jesus was also saying to the disciples, “There was a certain rich man who had a manager [of his estate], and accusations [against this man] were brought to him, that this man was squandering his [master’s] possessions.
• Luke 19:12So He said, “A nobleman went to a distant country to obtain for himself a kingdom, and [then] to return.
• Romans 14:12So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.
• 1 Corinthians 4:5So do not go on passing judgment before the appointed time, but wait until the Lord comes, for He will both bring to light the [secret] things that are hidden in darkness and disclose the motives of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.
• 2 Corinthians 5:10For we [believers will be called to account and] must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be repaid for what has been done in the body, whether good or bad [that is, each will be held responsible for his actions, purposes, goals, motives—the use or misuse of his time, opportunities and abilities].

Commentaries on Matthew 18:23

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23Therefore is the kingdom - In respect to sin, cruelty, and oppression, God will proceed in the kingdom of heaven (the dispensation of the Gospel) as he did in former times; and every person shall give an account of himself to God. Every sin is a debt contracted with the justice of God; men are all God's own servants; and the day is at hand in which their Master will settle accounts with them, inquire into their work, and pay them their wages. Great Judge!…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened … - The phrase, “the kingdom of heaven,” here has reference to the church, or to the way in which God will deal with his people. “It shall be in my church as it was with a certain king; or God will deal with the members of his church as a certain king did with his servants.” See the notes at Matthew 3:2. This parable (see Matthew 13:3) is related to show the duty of forgiving others. It is not necessary to…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 21-35Verses 21-35 Though we live wholly on mercy and forgiveness, we are backward to forgive the offences of our brethren. This parable shows how much provocation God has from his family on earth, and how untoward his servants are. There are three things in the parable: 1. The master's wonderful clemency. The debt of sin is so great, that we are not able to pay it. See here what every sin deserves; this is the wages of sin, to be sold as a slave. It is the…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 21-35Peter thought forgiving seven times was generous, but Jesus surprised him. A disciple should graciously forgive like God does, without limits and freely (see Matthew 18:10–14). If someone does not forgive in this way, it shows they have not experienced God's forgiveness for themselves (18:35; see 6:12).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2323. Therefore--"with reference to this matter." is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants--or, would scrutinize the accounts of his revenue collectors.Read the comment

Topics related to Matthew 18:23

• Charitableness
• Creditor
• Debtor
• Forgiveness
• God Continued...
• Jesus Continued
• Jesus, the Christ
• Kingdom of Heaven
• Sin

In the dictionaries

• Gain
• Owe
• Patience
• Debt; Debtor
• Forgiveness
• Intercession
• Jesus Christ
• Latin
• Matthew, the Gospel of
• Mercy; Merciful

Commentaries on Matthew 18

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings