In chapter 18 of Matthew, Jesus explains many important things to his disciples. However in our time we have chopped up or segmented what Jesus was saying to use in a distorted context. Yet in the full context we see something that we should have been teaching, the scandalizing of children. Jesus explains that those who entrap children who trust in Jesus will be eternally punished. Jesus says that he will rescue the one small one who has been led away from him. If we had been teaching this we might see less child abuse in the church. The idea of entering the kingdom of heaven is not only to be humble but that if a brother is restored he is to be forgiven. Jesus bookends his teaching with the idea of our debt being paid. Jesus bookends his teaching with the idea of scandals. He then uses another bookend regarding children. Let’s explore.
Jesus bookends his teaching with payment for debts, scandals, and children. But to understand the question the disciples ask, we have to grab the context. Jesus, James, John, and Peter come down the mountain after the transfiguration and Jesus tells them not to tell anyone about what just happened until he, Jesus, rises from the dead. Jesus then heals a boy that the disciples could not heal. They return to Galilee and Jesus tells all the disciples that he has to be delivered into the hands of men who will kill him yet he will rise on the third day.
Matthew 17:23…G2532 And G3076 they fretted G4970 exceedingly.
The disciples were very grieved when Jesus told them this. When they entered Capernaum people who collect the census tribute (kēnsos) asked Peter if Jesus fulfills the tribute. It is a sarcastic statement and if Peter said no, then there would have been a scandal.
Matthew 17:24 G2064 [3having come G1161 1And G1473 2of their] G1519 into G* Capernaum, G4334 came forward G3588 the ones G3588 [2the G1323 3double-drachmas G2983 1receiving] G3588 to G* Peter, G2532 and G2036 said, G3588 G1320 Your teacher, G1473 G3756 does he not G5055 fulfill G3588 the G1323 double-drachmas?
25 G3004 He says, G3483 Yes. G2532 And G3753 when G1525 he entered G1519 into G3588 the G3614 house, G4399 [2anticipated G1473 3him G3588 G* 1Jesus], G3004 saying, G5100 What G1473 do you G1380 assume, G* Simon? G3588 The G935 kings G3588 of the G1093 earth -- G575 from G5100 whom G2983 do they receive G5056 taxes G2228 or G2778 tribute, G575 from G3588 G5207 their sons G1473 G2228 or G575 from G3588 the G245 strangers?
26 G3004 [2says G1473 3to him G3588 G* 1Peter], G575 From G3588 the G245 strangers. G5346 [2said G1473 3to him G3588 G* 1Jesus], G686 It is so, G1065 [4indeed G1658 5free G1510.2.6 3are G3588 1the G5207 2sons].
Jesus makes a great point here. He asks Peter if the sons of the king pay taxes, telos, or tributes, kēnsos, or does the king receive the taxes and tributes from strangers. Jesus says the sons are free indeed.
Jesus also told his disciples this:
John 8:36 G1437 If G3767 then G3588 the G5207 son G1473 should free you, G1659 G3689 really G1658 you will be free. G1510.8.5
Paul understood this and said this:
Romans 8:2 G3588 For the G1063 G3551 law G3588 of the G4151 spirit G3588 of the G2222 life G1722 in G5547 Christ G* Jesus G1659 freed G1473 me G575 from G3588 the G3551 law G3588 of the G266 sin G2532 and G3588 G2288 of death.
Jesus was giving the disciples future insight. Sons are free from sin because Jesus made the payment for our sin. Yet now the king’s servants are collecting a tribute. Jesus suggests to Peter so as not to cause them a skandalizō, scandal or offense; go fish.
Matthew 17:27 G2443 But that G1161 G3361 we should not G4624 stumble G1473 them, G4198 having gone G1519 to G3588 the G2281 sea, G906 throw G44 a hook! G2532 and G3588 the G305 [3ascending G4413 1first G2486 2fish] G142 take! G2532 And G455 having opened G3588 G4750 its mouth, G1473 G2147 you will find G4715 a stater; G1565 that G2983 having taken, G1325 give G1473 it to them G473 for G1473 me G2532 and G1473 you!
4624 LSJ Gloss:σκανδαλίζω to make to stumble, give offence to
Dodson:σκανδαλίζω I cause to stumble I cause to stumble, cause to sin, cause to become indignant, shock, offend.
TBESG:σκανδαλίζω to cause to stumble
G:V
σκανδαλίζω
Thayer:
1) to put a stumbling block or impediment in the way, upon which another may trip and fall, metaph. to offend
1a) to entice to sin
1b) to cause a person to begin to distrust and desert one whom he ought to trust and obey
1b1) to cause to fall away
1b2) to be offended in one, i.e. to see in another what I disapprove of and what hinders me from acknowledging his authority
1b3) to cause one to judge unfavourably or unjustly of another
1c) since one who stumbles or whose foot gets entangled feels annoyed
1c1) to cause one displeasure at a thing
1c2) to make indignant
1c3) to be displeased, indignant
σκανδαλίζω
skandalizō skan-dal-id'-zo To “scandalize”; from G4625; to entrap, that is, trip up (figuratively stumble [transitively] or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure) KJV Usage: (make to) offend.
Jesus says that he does not want to cause a scandal or put a stumbling block in front of the census tribute collectors. Jesus didn’t need the money, he was making a point that our payment would be provided for us. Peter had the census tribute people follow him and they must have wondered what he was doing. They received the tribute that they asked for from a fish. Then the disciples ask Jesus an important question. Remember they tried to heal a boy but could not. Jesus also told them that he was going to be murdered, but would also rise.
Matthew 18:1 G1722 In G1565 that G3588 G5610 hour G4334 [3came forward G3588 1the G3101 2disciples] G3588 to G* Jesus, G3004 saying, G5100 Who G686 then G3173 is greater G1510.2.3 G1722 in G3588 the G932 kingdom G3588 of the G3772 heavens?
Who is greater in the kingdom of heaven? They probably were thinking about the people who were collecting the tributes, as well as the sons of the king. They had a structure in mind, king, queen, prince, princess, knights, etc. Who then is the mega in the kingdom of heaven? Now Jesus surrounds the subject with another insight.
Matthew 18:2 G2532 And G4341 Jesus having called G3588 G* G3813 a child, G2476 stood G1473 it G1722 in G3319 the midst G1473 of them.
3 G2532 And G2036 he said, G281 Amen G3004 I say G1473 to you, G1437 If G3361 you should not G4762 turn G2532 and G1096 become G5613 as G3588 the G3813 children, G3766.2 in no way G1525 should you enter G1519 into G3588 the G932 kingdom G3588 of the G3772 heavens.
Everyone who enters the kingdom must be like a child, humble and innocent. A child is the mega in the kingdom and is above all those who believe themselves to be important.
Matthew 18:4 G3748 Whoever G3767 then G5013 humbles G1438 himself G5613 as G3588 G3813 this child, G3778 G3778 this one G1510.2.3 is G3588 the G3173 greater G1722 in G3588 the G932 kingdom G3588 of the G3772 heavens.
Whoever makes themselves low, as in heart, unassuming and modest, that one is the mega in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:5 G2532 And G3739 who G1437 ever G1209 receives G3813 [3child G5108 2such G1520 1one] G1909 in G3588 G3686 my name, G1473 G1473 receives me. G1209
If someone dechomai’s, receives, welcomes, embraces’, sustains, accepts, a child, on Jesus’ character, reputation, name, actually receives Jesus. It is like receiving a prophet or a teacher in the name of Jesus, receiving a child in the name of Jesus is receiving Jesus. Now we have a problem. Many people disregard children. Many people abuse children. In like manner those people are abusing Jesus.
Matthew 18:6 G3739 And who G1161 G302 ever G4624 should cause to stumble G1520 one G3588 G3397 of these small ones G3778 G3588 G4100 trusting G1519 in G1473 me,…
Anyone who causes a small one who trusts in Jesus to sin or stumble, or anyone who would cause a small one to become indignant, or to be shocked, or offended, or anyone who would entrap or entice a small one to sin, or to distrust Jesus, it would be profitable for that one to have a millstone, that is turned by a donkey, hung on his throat and sunk in the deep sea. In other words that is a better punishment than what is to come.
...G4851 it would be advantageous G1473 to him G2443 that G2910 [3should be hung G3458 1a millstone G3684 2of a donkey] G1909 upon G3588 G5137 his neck, G1473 G2532 and G2670 he should be sunk G1722 in G3588 the G3989 open G3588 G2281 sea.
Jesus says we are to humble ourselves and become like children. We are to receive those who trust in Jesus. However anyone who causes a small one to distrust or turn away from Jesus, will receive a worse punishment than drowning with a millstone around his neck. It would be an advantage for that evil person to drown with a millstone. This tells us the punishment is worse than that.
If we ask why people abuse or harm children we recognize that the answer lies in a child’s vulnerability. Children cannot defend themselves against adults, physically or physiologically. Adults who harm children are not going to be punished lightly, they are going to be punished severely. The most precious individuals in our society are babies and children and it is important to note that Jesus regards their value greater than the value of their abusers.
Matthew 18:7 G3759 Woe G3588 to the G2889 world G575 because of G3588 the G4625 obstacles; G318 [3a necessity G1063 1for G1510.2.3 2it is G2064 6to come G3588 4 for the G4625 5obstacles]. G4133 Except G3759 woe G3588 to G444 that man G1565 G1223 through G3739 whom G3588 the G4625 obstacle G2064 comes.
When we see the word “woe” ouai, it is an exclamation of grief or distress. It is a public denunciation or condemnation of something. Woe to anyone who causes a little one to stumble; drowning via millstone would be advantageous. Woe to the cosmos, kosmos, away from scandal, skandalon. Skandalon means trap or snare or stumbling-block, just as Jesus mentioned earlier when speaking about paying the census tribute. Jesus says that distress comes with skandalon, traps, snares, and stumbling-blocks, or scandals. However, woe to that manfaced through whom skandalon comes. Jesus is not speaking of the prince of the kosmos, or his fallen beings, he is speaking of humans, that is the distinction when using manfaced. If a person causes skandalon, especially with a small child, that one should be publicly condemned. Although today we see these people celebrated, they should be publicly condemned. Keep the context in mind, the children are the subject and the skandalon is the action and the place is the kingdom of heaven. Notice what Jesus says next.
Matthew 18:8 G1487 And if G1161 G3588 G5495 your hand G1473 G2228 or G3588 G4228 your foot G1473 G4624 causes you to stumble, G1473 G1581 cut them off, G1473 G2532 and G906 throw them G575 from G1473 you! G2570 [2good G1473 3for you G1510.2.3 1It is] G1525 to enter G1519 into G3588 G2222 life G5560 lame G2228 or G2948 crippled, G2228 than G1417 [2two G5495 3hands G2228 4or G1417 5two G4228 6feet G2192 1having] G906 to be thrown G1519 into G3588 the G4442 [2fire G3588 G166 1eternal].
Jesus says that if your hand or foot cause skandalizō, scandalize or are scandalous, literally ekkoptō, cut them off and ballō, throw them away. This is the only way to enter into life. In other words, it is better to be lame or crippled now than to end up in perpetual fire. That is the answer to someone who causes one of the little ones to stumble. They will end up in perpetual fire. This is why drowning with a millstone is better. The perpetual fire is everlasting.
Matthew 18:9 G2532 And G1487 if G3588 G3788 your eye G1473 G4624 stumbles G1473 you, G1807 take it out G1473 G2532 and G906 cast it G575 from G1473 you! G2570 [2good G1473 3for you G1510.2.3 1It is G3442 5one-eyed G1519 6in G3588 G2222 7life G1525 4to enter], G2228 than G1417 [2two G3788 3eyes G2192 1having] G906 to be thrown G1519 into G3588 the G1067 Gehenna G3588 G4442 of fire.
If your eye skandalizō, tear it out or you will be thrown into Gehenna forever. The only time we hear this preached is when church youth leaders tell the boys not to look at the girls. That is incorrect. The context is children and small children. The context is scandalizing the children, entrapping them, sinning with them and causing them to sin. The church needs to teach against sexual abuse.
There are entire cultures on the earth today that do not value children. Their children barely go to school, the children are made to run drugs, or they are trafficked, raped, and then are used to dig out tunnels for missiles. There is an eternally warm place for people who abuse children. Remember what Jesus says next?
Matthew 18:10 G3708 See that G3361 you should not G2706 disdain G1520 one G3588 G3397 of these small ones! G3778 G3004 For I say G1063 G1473 to you, G3754 that G3588 G32 their angels G1473 G1722 in G3772 the heavens G1275 continually G991 look G3588 on the G4383 face G3588 G3962 of my father, G1473 G3588 the one G1722 in G3772 the heavens.
Do not despise, disdain, or have a downward mind, towards one of the mikrons, small ones. The disciples asked who were the mega’s in the kingdom of heaven, Jesus says the mikrons are the mega’s. Why? Because their angels in heaven, through all time, see the visage of the Father in heaven. If children have an angel watching them, they certainly see those who abuse these children. Maybe the time for this warning to the world is now. Those who abuse children get eternity in Gehenna. This entire context is regarding the kingdom of heaven, children, and those who scandalize children. If you lust after children with your eyes, if you want to touch children, if you run to catch a child to abuse them, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven, but Gehenna. The children are greater in heaven, their angels behold the face of the Father all the time.
Anyone who thinks they can take advantage of a child without anyone knowing is mistaken. I’m now pointing fingers in the church, at all the child abusers. They may look like holy men, but they are going to Gehenna. Children are not to be scandalized. Their angels see the abusers. Jesus just told all abusers to pluck out their eyes and cut off their offending body parts if they want to go to heaven. Church, teach the truth and there will be less child abusers in our midst.
We love the next few verses, and teach these often, out of context of course. Jesus is talking about children who trust Him. If Jesus sees one of these little ones that is lost, but who trust Him, then he goes after them. Jesus is not talking about adults, he is talking about the small ones. Context.
Matthew 18:11 G2064 [5is come G1063 1For G3588 2the G5207 3son G3588 G444 4of man] G4982 to save G3588 the G622 lost.
Jesus came to rescue, sōzō, the perishing, apollumi.
Matthew 18:12 G5100 What G1473 do you G1380 think? G1437 If G1096 there should be G5100 to any G444 man G1540 a hundred G4263 sheep, G2532 and G4105 [2should wander G1520 1one] G1537 from G1473 them, G3780 shall he not G863 leave G3588 the G1767.3 ninety G1767 nine G1909 upon G3588 the G3735 mountains, G4198 and having gone G2212 seek G3588 the G4105 one wandering?
Again, keep in mind the context, the small ones, not adults who should know better. The word wandering, planaō, means to be led astray or deceived. It means to be led away from truth into error. This is the same comment that Jesus made regarding causing a child who trusts in Him to be scandalized. I know that this may wreck some people’s theology, but we have not taught this correctly and we have pedophiles in the Church.
Matthew 18:13 G2532 And G1437 if G1096 it happens G2147 he finds G1473 it, G281 amen G3004 I say G1473 to you, G3754 that G5463 he rejoices G1909 over G1473 it, G3123 rather G2228 than G1909 over G3588 the G1767.3 ninety G1767 nine G3588 G3361 not G4105 wandering.
Jesus is explaining that the rejoicing is over the one who was led away from the truth into error, and then returning to the truth. Why? Because that little one turned back to Jesus. We have this image that Jesus is rescuing adults who backslide. No, this is children who are led away from Jesus because someone skandalizō’d, them. Don’t preach this incorrectly. Jesus is rescuing children who have been led astray by someone else. They were enticed to follow a man instead of Jesus. They were entrapped into leaving the flock to follow someone who would abuse them. They were manipulated into stumbling. Children.
Matthew 18:14 G3779 Thus G3756 it is not G1510.2.3 G2307 the will G1715 before G3588 G3962 your father, G1473 G3588 the one G1722 in G3772 the heavens, G2443 that G622 [3should be lost G1520 1one G3588 G3397 2of these small ones]. G3778
It is not the will of the Father for the mikron’s to perish. The small ones are not adults. Once again, if you are the one who brings distressing skandalon, woe! Jesus now goes further. He is speaking about a literal or spiritual brother.
Matthew 18:15 G1437 But if G1161 G264 [3should sin G1519 4against G1473 5you G3588 G80 2brother G1473 1your], G5217 go G2532 and G1651 reprove G1473 him G3342 between G1473 you G2532 and G1473 him G3441 alone! G1437 If G1473 he should hear you, G191 G2770 you gain G3588 G80 your brother. G1473
The word “against” is not translated correctly, the word should be “into” or “to”. There is direction here. The sin is not the brother’s alone, the brother, sins to, toward, or upon, causing sin in the other person. If your physical brother or spiritual brother sins into you, reprove, rebuke, expose, or put him to shame, between you and him. If you have an adelphos who scandalized you, confront him. If he listens you avoid loss with your brother.
Matthew 18:16 G1437 And if G1161 G3361 he should not G191 hear, G3880 take G3326 with G1473 you G2089 still G1520 one G2228 or G1417 two, G2443 that G1909 by G4750 the mouth G1417 of two G3144 witnesses G2228 or G5140 three G2476 [3shall be established G3956 1every G4487 2matter]!
If your brother does not listen to you then take one or two other people to listen to you tell your brother about his sin into you. Did someone rape you? Did someone entice you to take drugs? Did someone manipulate you to touch them? You have nothing to be ashamed of, the brother who harmed you does. The witnesses will hear what you say and all things spoken will stand. What is Jesus talking about? Any scandal, entrapment, abuse, from an adelphos.
Matthew 18:17 G1437 But if G1161 G3878 he should disregard G1473 them, G2036 speak G3588 to the G1577 assembly! G1437 And if G1161 G2532 also G3588 the G1577 assembly G3878 he should disregard, G1510.5 let him be G1473 to you G5618 as if G3588 G1482 a heathen G2532 and G3588 G5057 tax collector!
If your brother refuses to hear or disregards the people and you, then speak to the ekklēsia. Ouch! The humiliation of the scandalizing person being exposed in the church should keep people from abusing each other. But if your brother still won’t repent then treat him like an ethnikos, a foreigner and a tax collector. If the Church would have taught this correctly we would have less church-family dysfunction.
While it seems that Jesus takes a turn away from the subject he does not. He goes forward explaining what we should be doing. Expose the brother who sins into you and reject him if he doesn’t listen. So be it.
Matthew 18:18 G281 Amen G3004 I say G1473 to you, G3745 as much as G1437 you should G1210 tie G1909 upon G3588 the G1093 earth, G1510.8.3 it will be G1210 tied G1722 in G3588 the G3772 heaven; G2532 and G3745 as much as G1437 you should G3089 untie G1909 upon G3588 the G1093 earth, G1510.8.3 it will be G3089 untied G1722 in G3588 the G3772 heaven.
The “Amen” should conclude Jesus’ previous thought. He then says: “I say how much (quantus) if tie on the earth it will be tied in the heaven and how much if release on the earth it will be released in the heaven”. What is Jesus talking about now? Context. He is talking about tying (binding) and releasing. Tie the brother who sinned into you, or release him if he listens to you. Tie the one bringing distressing skandalon, or release that one if he repents and cuts off his offending body part. Once more, so be it. Jesus goes on.
Matthew 18:19 G3825 Again G281 amen G3004 I say G1473 to you, G3754 that G1437 if G1417 two G1473 of you G4856 should join in harmony G1909 upon G3588 the G1093 earth G4012 concerning G3956 every G4229 matter G3739 of which G1437 ever G154 they should ask, G1096 it shall happen G1473 to them G3844 by G3588 G3962 my father, G1473 G3588 the one G1722 in G3772 the heavens.
The first two words “once more, so be it” connect to the last verse. Jesus says that “if two harmonize on earth around all that which has been done that if request come into being them from the side of the Father in heaven.” To paraphrase, if two people harmonize on something that has happened and they request for the tying or releasing of anything, it will be brought before the Father. The context is tying and releasing.
Matthew 18:20 G3739 For where G1063 G1510.2.6 there are G1417 two G2228 or G5140 three G4863 being gathered together G1519 in G3588 G1699 my G3686 name, G1563 there G1510.2.1 I am G1722 in G3319 the midst G1473 of them.
The brother who either listens or doesn’t listen could be tied or released. “For that are two or three lead together into my name in that place I am in the middle of them.” Jesus is in the middle of the harmonizing people who agree on tying and releasing. This is the context. This section is not about agreeing on possessions or harmonizing on a new car. Now Peter asks a question.
Matthew 18:21 G5119 Then G4334 having come forward G1473 to him, G3588 G* Peter G2036 said, G2962 O Lord, G4212 how often G264 shall [2sin G1519 3against G1473 4me G3588 G80 1my brother] G1473 G2532 and G863 I forgive G1473 him -- G2193 until G2034 seven times?
Peter wants to know how often he should release or discharge his brother who sins into him. There are scandals and then there are scandals. In the Church there are big scandals, some sins against children, some sins against adults. Peter thinks that seven is a good amount to forgive someone sinning into him. Remember that it is not forgiveness in the sense that you let the abuser abuse you again, it is forgiveness in the sense that he realized his sin. If he does not, then Jesus says to treat him as a heathen or tax collector.
Matthew 18:22 G3004 [2says G1473 3to him G3588 G* 1Jesus], G3756 Not G3004 I say G1473 to you G2193 unto G2034 seven times, G235 but G2193 unto G1441 seventy times G2033 seven.
Jesus says that 490 times is a good number of times to release someone. Once again, this is in the context of the brother realizing his sin, and gaining him back, not allowing the abuser to continue to abuse. Forgive the brother who is restored. Or if he refuses to listen to you, the other witnesses, or the church, then treat him like a heathen or tax collector. Now Jesus will tell us a story that explains to Peter and the disciples this idea.
Matthew 18:23 G1223 On account of G3778 this G3666 likened G3588 is the G932 kingdom G3588 of the G3772 heavens G444 to a man, G935 a king, G3739 who G2309 wants G4868 to take up G3056 a reckoning G3326 with G3588 G1401 his manservants. G1473
Jesus brings this story down to earth by using the words manfaced king. The manfaced king is speaking, computing, and settling accounts with his servants. How is it that the manfaced king lent his servants money? Did they have a company credit card?
Matthew 18:24 G756 [3having begun G1161 1And G1473 2he] G4868 to take up the matter, G4374 brings near G1473 to him G1520 one G3781 debtor G3463 of ten thousand G5007 talents.
He starts with settling an account of one who owes a balance of ten thousand talents. The number ten thousand is innumerable. There is no way this man can pay it back even with all he has. This is the point. Our debt is so great that we cannot pay it ourselves.
Matthew 18:25 G3361 [3not G2192 4having G1161 1But G1473 2he] G591 means to give back, G2753 [2bids G1473 3him G3588 G2962 1his master] G1473 G4097 to be sold, G2532 and G3588 G1135 his wife, G1473 G2532 and G3588 the G5043 children, G2532 and G3956 all G3745 as much as G2192 he had, G2532 and G591 to render back.
The servant does not have the money to give back to the king. The king tells the servant to sell his wife, his children, and everything he has until he pays it all back. This is what the kingdom of heaven is like, servants that have a debt they cannot pay back to the king.
Matthew 18:26 G4098 [4falling G3767 1Then G3588 2the G1401 3manservant], G4352 did obeisance to G1473 him, G3004 saying, G2962 O Lord, G3114 be lenient G1909 upon G1473 me! G2532 and G3956 [2all G1473 3to you G591 1I will give back].
The servant worshipped the king and asked for patience until he could pay his debt. What else could he do?
Matthew 18:27 G4697 [4being moved with compassion on G1161 1And G3588 2the G2962 3master] G3588 G1401 that manservant, G1565 G630 released G1473 him, G2532 and G3588 [3the G1156 4debt G863 1forgave G1473 2to him].
The king felt compassion and mercy. He released or loosed him from his debt and discharged him.
Matthew 18:28 G1831 And going forth G1161 G3588 G1401 that manservant G1565 G2147 found G1520 one G3588 G4889 of his fellow-servants, G1473 G3739 who G3784 owed G1473 to him G1540 a hundred G1220 denarii, G2532 and G2902 having held G1473 him, G4155 choked him G3004 saying, G591 Give back G1473 to me G1536 if anything G3784 you owe!
The servant then left the king and found a fellow servant who owed him a small debt, and then strangled the man, demanding that he pay his debt.
Matthew 18:29 G4098 [3falling G3767 1Then G3588 G4889 2his fellow-servant] G1473 G1519 at G3588 G4228 his feet G1473 G3870 enjoined G1473 him, G3004 saying, G3114 Be lenient G1909 upon G1473 me, G2532 and G591 I will give back G1473 to you!
The man who owed a small debt admonished the man that he was in debt to to be long suffering.
Matthew 18:30 G3588 But he G1161 G3756 did not G2309 want to, G235 but G565 going forth G906 he cast G1473 him G1519 into G5438 prison, G2193 until G3739 G591 he should give back G3588 the thing G3784 being owed.
The servant whose debt was released by the king threw his fellow servant into prison until he payed what we owed.
Matthew 18:31 G1492 [3knowing G1161 1And G3588 G4889 2his fellow-servants] G1473 G3588 the things G1096 happening, G3076 fretted G4970 exceedingly. G2532 And G2064 having gone G1285 they made clear G3588 to G2962 their master G1473 G3956 all G3588 the things G1096 happening.
The manfaced king’s servants who heard about their fellow servant being thrown into prison were very grieved and they explained what happened to the king.
Matthew 18:32 G5119 Then G4341 [2having called G1473 3him G3588 G2962 1his master], G1473 G3004 says G1473 to him, G1401 [2manservant G4190 1O wicked], G3956 all G3588 G3782 that debt G1565 G863 I canceled G1473 to you, G1893 when G3870 you enjoined G1473 me;
The king summoned the servant whose debt he forgave and called the man evil because the king discharged his very large debt.
Matthew 18:33 G3756 [3not G1163 1must G2532 4also G1473 2you] G1653 show mercy G3588 G4889 on your fellow-servant G1473 G5613 as G2532 also G1473 I G1473 showed mercy on you? G1653
The king scolds the servant for not showing mercy.
Matthew 18:34 G2532 And G3710 being provoked to anger, G3588 G2962 his master G1473 G3860 delivered G1473 him G3588 to the G930 tormenters, G2193 until G3739 of which time G591 he should give back G3956 all G3588 G3784 being owed G1473 to him.
The king was angry and surrendered him to one who tortures until his debt is paid back. Who are the tormentors? Those in charge of Hades, under Beelzebub. Even though Jesus has the keys to hell and death, hell or Hades is the place of torment. You choose where you will go.
Matthew 18:35 G3779 So G2532 also G3588 G3962 [3father G1473 1my G3588 G2032 2heavenly] G4160 shall do G1473 to you G1437 if G3361 [2forgives not G863 G1538 1each] G3588 G80 his brother G1473 G575 from G3588 G2588 your hearts G1473 G3588 G3900 of their transgressions. G1473
Jesus then says that the Father will do the same to those who do not discharge from their heart their brothers’s sin. This is the bookended point that Jesus makes about our payment being made for us. He told us of the census tribute that needed to be paid and it was provided by a fish. Then he explains that our debt is cancelled by the king. He is talking about those who scandalize people being exposed, and if they repent then they should be forgiven. He is also explaining that those who abuse children are going to Gehenna, eternal fire.
Matthew 19:1 G2532 And G1096 it came to pass G3753 when G5055 Jesus finished G3588 G* G3588 G3056 these words, G3778 G3332 he moved G575 from G3588 G* Galilee, G2532 and G2064 he came G1519 unto G3588 the G3725 borders G3588 G* of Judea G4008 on the other side G3588 of the G* Jordan.
This is the conclusion of the section where Jesus was speaking to his disciples. After coming down from the mount of transfiguration Jesus healed a boy, explaining that this demon was harder to extract. He then tells Peter to drop a hook in the water and open the fish’s mouth and pay the census tribute for both of them so as not to cause a scandal. Then the disciples asked Jesus who was the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus explains that it is children or those who are childlike, mikron’s, they are the mega’s in the kingdom. In fact, Jesus tells them that unless we all humble ourselves like a child we won’t enter the kingdom of heaven. Then Jesus explains who it is that doesn’t enter the kingdom of heaven; those who cause children that trust in Jesus to sin, the ones bringing distressing skandalon’s. Jesus mentions that there will be skandalon’s, but in an exclamation of grief he says woe to the manfaced who brings the skandalon. Jesus uses the example of an offending body part to be thrown away so that one can enter the kingdom of heaven as opposed to the eternal fires of Gehenna. Jesus will go after the child who is led away from Jesus by and evil person, and rejoice when he is brought back to the flock. Jesus then explains what to do in the case of someone sinning and causing you to sin. Expose it. Peter wants to know how often he should forgive someone who sins into him, and Jesus says 490 times. This is in the context of a restored brother, not one who is to be treated as a heathen or tax collector. Jesus then explains that the kingdom of heaven as being a great debt that we cannot pay and which is being forgiven. However, if we do not forgive the debts of others then we are required to pay our own debt. It is a simple analogy for us to understand.
The portion of scripture that needs to be addressed in the church is the bookended section regarding children. Woe to the child abusers and the child scandalizers. Woe to those who take advantage of small ones. Jesus will leave the other sheep to rescue a small one who was led away from Jesus by a scandalizer. Child abusers have a destiny, Gehenna. Teach it. Preach it. Make it clear.
