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 Jesus and asked him, “Lord, how often do I have to forgive a believer who wrongs me? Seven times?” 22Jesus answered him, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy times seven. “That is why the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24When he began to do this, a servant who owed him millions of dollars was brought to him. 25Because he could not pay off the debt, the master ordered him, his wife, his children, and all that he had to be sold to pay off the account.

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“Turn to God and change the way you think and act, because the kingdom of heaven is near.”
• Matthew 13:24Jesus used another illustration. He said, “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who planted good seed in his field.
• Matthew 25:1“When the end comes, the kingdom of heaven will be like ten bridesmaids. They took their oil lamps and went to meet the groom.
• Matthew 25:19“After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.
• Luke 16:1Then Jesus said to his disciples, “A rich man had a business manager. The manager was accused of wasting the rich man’s property.
• Luke 19:12He said, “A prince went to a distant country to be appointed king, and then he returned.
• Romans 14:12All of us will have to give an account of ourselves to God.
• 1 Corinthians 4:5Therefore, don’t judge anything before the appointed time. Wait until the Lord comes. He will also bring to light what is hidden in the dark and reveal people’s motives. Then each person will receive praise from God.
• 2 Corinthians 5:10All of us must appear in front of Christ’s judgment seat. Then all people will receive what they deserve for the good or evil they have done while living in their bodies.

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