Matthew 18:16

Matthew 18:16 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)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.
• New International Version (NIV)But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’
• English Standard Version (ESV)But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.
• New King James Version (NKJV)But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’

Context of Matthew 18:16

14In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish. 15If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. 18Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

Matthew 18:16 word by word

ἐὰν δὲ μὴ ἀκούσῃ, παράλαβε μετὰ σοῦ ἔτι ἕνα ἢ δύο ἵνα ἐπὶ στόματος δύο μαρτύρων ἢ τριῶν σταθῇ πᾶν ῥῆμα.Read the interlinear

• Butδέde · thenG1161
• ifἐάνean · ifG1437
• ·μήmē · notG3361
• he will not listenἀκούωakouō · to hearG191
• takeπαραλαμβάνωparalambanō · to takeG3880
• oneεἷςheis · oneG1520
• orἤē · orG2228
• twoδύοduo · twoG1417
• othersἔτιeti · stillG2089
• alongμετάmeta · with/afterG3326
• alongσύsu · youG4771
• so thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• everyπᾶςpas · allG3956
• matterῥῆμαrhēma · declarationG4487
• may be establishedἵστημιhistēmi · to standG2476
• byἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
• testimonyστόμαstoma · mouthG4750
• threeτρεῖςtreis tria · ThreeG5140
• witnessesμάρτυςmartus · witnessG3144

Cross-references for Matthew 18:16

• Numbers 35:30If anyone kills a person, the murderer is to be put to death on the testimony of the witnesses. But no one is to be put to death based on the testimony of a lone witness.
• Deuteronomy 17:6On the testimony of two or three witnesses a man shall be put to death, but he shall not be executed on the testimony of a lone witness.
• Deuteronomy 19:15A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
• 1 Kings 21:13And the two scoundrels came in and sat opposite Naboth, and these men testified against him before the people, saying, “Naboth has cursed both God and the king!” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death.
• John 8:17Even in your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid.
• 2 Corinthians 13:1This is the third time I am coming to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”
• 1 Timothy 5:19Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
• Hebrews 10:28Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
• 1 John 5:7For there are three that testify:
• Revelation 11:3And I will empower my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”

Commentaries on Matthew 18:16

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 162. Take with thee one or two more - Men whom he esteems, who may then confirm and enforce what thou sayest; and afterwards, if need require, bear witness of what was spoken. If even this do not succeed, then, and not before,Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16But if he will not hear thee … - That is, if he spurns or abuses you, or will not be entreated by you, and will not reform. Take with thee one or two more - The design of taking them seems to be, 1.That he might be induced to listen to them, Matthew 18:17. They should be persons of influence or authority; his personal friends, or those in whom he could put confidence. 2.That they might be witnesses of his conduct before the church, Matthew 18:17. The law…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 15-20Verses 15-20 If a professed Christian is wronged by another, he ought not to complain of it to others, as is often done merely upon report, but to go to the offender privately, state the matter kindly, and show him his conduct. This would generally have all the desired effect with a true Christian, and the parties would be reconciled. The principles of these rules may be practised every where, and under all circumstances, though they are too much…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16By requiring one or two others to be present, Jesus stopped slander and false accusations among the congregation (see John 8:17; 2 Corinthians 13:1; 1 Timothy 5:19; Hebrews 10:28).Read the comment

Topics related to Matthew 18:16

• Church
• Commandments
• Court
• Evidence
• Fraternity
• Jesus, the Christ
• Reproof
• Strife
• Trespass
• Witness

In the dictionaries

• Gain
• Martyr
• Owe
• Patience
• Excommunication
• Forgiveness
• Intercession
• Jesus Christ
• Judge
• Matthew, the Gospel of

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