Matthew 18:19 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:19

Power gained by agreement in prayer. This verse is part of a digression from our Lord's point. Perhaps it is suggested by the disunion occasioned by the disputing of the disciples, and our Lord takes the opportunity of pressing the importance and value of preserving mutual agreement. The disunited feeling spoils everything in Christian life; it spoils even prayer. Harmony, unity, mutual trustfulness, make up the atmosphere in which everything Christian can thrive. Our Lord. makes prayer a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:19-20

The power of united prayer. The point of this verse is in the idea of the association of two people in prayer. Elsewhere we often read of the value of prayer in general. Here a special efficacy is ascribed to the united prayer of two Christian people. Let us consider the meaning of this. Why is Christ most present to help in united prayer? I. IT IS UNSELFISH . Two people might be plotting together for some mutual advantage of a low order. But we cannot conceive of their having a... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 18:19

Again I say unto you, That if two of you ... - This is connected with the previous verses. The connection is this: The obstinate man is to be excluded from the church, Matthew 18:17. The care of the church - the power of admitting or excluding members - of organizing and establishing it - is committed to you, the apostles, Matthew 18:18. Yet there is not need of the whole to give validity to the transaction. When two of you agree, or have the same mind, feelings, and opinion, about the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 18:18-20

Matthew 18:18-20. Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth By excommunication, pronounced in the Spirit and power of Christ; whatsoever ye shall loose By absolution from that sentence. See note on chap. Matthew 16:19. In the primitive church, absolution meant no more than a discharge from church censure. Again I say And not only your intercession for the penitent, but all your united prayers, shall be heard. How great then is the power of joint prayer! If two of you Suppose a man and his... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 18:15-35

79. Lessons in forgiveness (Matthew 18:15-35)Disciples of Jesus should be willing to forgive fellow believers who sin against them, but they should also be concerned that offenders realize their sin and turn from it. In each case the believer should go to the offender privately and point out the wrongdoing, so that the person might be spiritually helped. If this fails, two or three others should be called in, firstly to make sure that the offender is in fact guilty and secondly to appeal for... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 18:19

as touching = concerning. Greek. peri . App-104 . thing = matter. ask. Greek. aiteo. App-134 . of = from. Greek. para . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 18:19

Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father who is in heaven.The greater efficacy of multiple prayers is indicated here. It cannot be understood how prayers of two persons may be more efficacious with God than the prayers of only one, but the fact is affirmed by Christ. Note that Jesus invariably said, "MY Father," whereas he always taught his disciples to pray, "OUR Father"! The uniqueness of... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 18:19-20

Matthew 18:19-20. Again I say unto you— Further to encourage good men to be very earnest in their endeavours to bring sinners to repentance, he assured them, that if they prayed to God for it, he would hear them, provided it was agreeable to the wise ends of his providence. Perhaps here is an allusion to a notion of the Jews, that it was necessary, that ten at least should concur in social prayer, if an extraordinary success was expected. I am in the midst of them, Mat 18:20 means, "by my... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Matthew 18:19

19. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 18:15-20

The restoration of a wayward disciple 18:15-20Jesus proceeded to explain what a humble disciple should do when a brother or sister disciple has wandered from the Shepherd and the sheep. read more