Matthew 18:14

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 18:7-14

Our Savior here speaks of offences, or scandals, I. In general, Matt. 18:7. Having mentioned the offending of little ones, he takes occasion to speak more generally of offences. That is an offence, 1. Which occasions guilt, which by enticement or affrightment tends to draw men from that which is good to that which is evil. 2. Which occasions grief, which makes the heart of the righteous sad. Now, concerning offences, Christ here tells them, (1.) That they were certain things; It must needs be,... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 18:1-35

Matthew 18:1-35 is a most important chapter for Christian Ethics, because it deals with those qualities which should characterize the personal relationships of the Christian. We shall be dealing in detail with these relationships as we study the chapter section by section; but before we do so, it will be well to look at the chapter as a whole. It singles out seven qualities which should mark the personal relationships of the Christian. (i) First and foremost, there is the quality of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 18:14

Even so it is not the will of your father which is in heaven ,.... This is the accommodation, or application of the parable of the lost sheep to the present purpose, and is the top of the climax or gradation here made use of. First, Christ observes, in order to deter any from despising and offending any of his disciples, even the meanest, that they have angels to be their guardians, who are continually in the presence of God; and next, that he himself in human nature came to be the author of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 18:14

It is not the will of your Father - If any soul be finally lost, it is not because God's will or counsel was against its salvation, or that a proper provision had not been made for it; but that, though light came into the world, it preferred darkness to light, because of its attachment to its evil deeds. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:1-14

The little ones. I. THEIR EXAMPLE . 1 . The question of the apostles . They had not yet learned the great lesson of humility. Perhaps the favour shown to Peter, James, and John had excited jealousies among them. On their way to Capernaum they had disputed who should be the greatest. After all the Lord's teaching they did not yet understand the spiritual nature of his kingdom. There are rivalries and animosities in earthly states; there should be none in that kingdom where the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:1-14

Necessity of becoming like little children. To discuss in the abstract the question who shall be greatest in the kingdom of heaven, is a profitable employment. But when discussed with personal reference, and in view of present competing claims, there must inevitably be jealousies and rivalries, vanity and hatred. That his reply might lodge in their minds, and be audible to all generations, our Lord gives it dramatically. He calls a little child to him, perhaps one of Peter's children.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:1-35

Discourse concerning the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, and the mutual duties of Christians . ( Mark 9:33-50 ; Luke 9:46-50 .) read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:5-14

The treatment due to such . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:10-14

Warning for the contemptuous. The "little ones" here are childlike followers of Christ (cf. Matthew 18:6 ). Reference to the infants to whom humble Christians are likened is not excluded. The infant seed of the faithful are of the family of Jesus. Neither the disciple nor the infant must be despised. I. THEY ARE THE REVERSE OF DESPICABLE WHO ARE THE SPECIAL CHARGE OF HOLY ANGELS . 1 . The universe is dual, having material and spiritual complements . ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:14

Even so. The teaching of the parable is summed up; the conduct of the earthly shepherd is a figure of that of the heavenly Shepherd. The will of your Father … perish. To scandalize one of these little ones, or lead him into sin (which is to cause to perish), is to fight against God's will, who would have all men to be saved ( 1 Timothy 2:4 ). "When the dignity of the little ones was asserted, it was πατρο ì ς μου , 'my Father;' now that a motive directly acting on the... read more

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