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, it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish. 15“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. 17If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector. 18“I tell you the truth, whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted 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

Words taken from the KJV.

• Butδέde · thenG1161
• ifἐάνean · ifG1437
• he willἀκούωakouō · to hearG191
• notμήmē · notG3361
• takeπαραλαμβάνωparalambanō · to takeG3880
• withμετάmeta · with/afterG3326
• theeσύsu · youG4771
• oneεἷςheis · oneG1520
• orἤē · orG2228
• twoδύοduo · twoG1417
• moreἔτιeti · stillG2089
• thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• inἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
• the mouthστόμαstoma · mouthG4750
• ofμάρτυςmartus · witnessG3144
• threeτρεῖςtreis tria · ThreeG5140
• everyπᾶςpas · allG3956
• wordῥῆμαrhēma · declarationG4487
• may be establishedἵστημιhistēmi · to standG2476

Cross-references for Matthew 18:16

• Numbers 35:30“All murderers must be put to death, but only if evidence is presented by more than one witness. No one may be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.
• Deuteronomy 17:6But never put a person to death on the testimony of only one witness. There must always be two or three witnesses.
• Deuteronomy 19:15“You must not convict anyone of a crime on the testimony of only one witness. The facts of the case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
• 1 Kings 21:13Then the two scoundrels came and sat down across from him. And they accused Naboth before all the people, saying, “He cursed God and the king.” So he was dragged outside the town and stoned to death.
• John 8:17Your own law says that if two people agree about something, their witness is accepted as fact.
• 2 Corinthians 13:1This is the third time I am coming to visit you (and as the Scriptures say, “The facts of every case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses”).
• 1 Timothy 5:19Do not listen to an accusation against an elder unless it is confirmed by two or three witnesses.
• Hebrews 10:28For anyone who refused to obey the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
• 1 John 5:7So we have these three witnesses—
• Revelation 11:3And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will be clothed in burlap and will prophesy during those 1,260 days.”

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