Berean Standard Bible
Matthew 18:23
23Because of this, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
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 Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times! Because of this, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24As he began the settlements, a debtor owing ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25Since the man was unable to pay, the master ordered that he be sold to pay his debt, along with his wife and children and everything he owned.
Read all of Matthew 18Matthew 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
- Because ofδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
- thisοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
- theὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- kingdomβασιλείαbasileia · kingdomG932
- heavenοὐρανόςouranos · heavenG3772
- is likeὁμοιόωhomoioō · to likenG3666
- ·ἄνθρωποςanthrōpos · a humanG444
- a kingβασιλεύςbasileus · kingG935
- whoὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
- wantedθέλωthelō ethelō · to will/desireG2309
- to settleσυναίρωsunairō · to settle accountsG4868
- accountsλόγοςlogos · wordG3056
- withμετάmeta · with/afterG3326
- hisαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- servantsδοῦλοςdoulos · slaveG1401
Cross-references for Matthew 18:23
- Matthew 3:2and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
- Matthew 13:24Jesus put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.
- Matthew 25:1“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
- Matthew 25:19After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.
- Luke 16:1Jesus also said to His disciples, “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions.
- Luke 19:12So He said, “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to lay claim to his kingship and then return.
- Romans 14:12So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.
- 1 Corinthians 4:5Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
- 2 Corinthians 5:10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad.
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
In the dictionaries
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
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