BibleWord.ai› Bible› Matthew› Chapter 18› Verse 16

Matthew 18:16

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 18:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But if he hear [thee] not, take with thee one or two more, that at the mouth of two witnesses or three every word may be established.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But if he hear [thee] not, take with thee one or two more, that at the mouth of two witnesses or three every word may be established.
Matthew 18:16 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 18

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth over it more than over the ninety and nine which have not gone astray.
14Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
15And if thy brother sin against thee, go, show him his fault between thee and him alone: if he hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
16But if he hear [thee] not, take with thee one or two more, that at the mouth of two witnesses or three every word may be established.
17And if he refuse to hear them, tell it unto the church: and if he refuse to hear the church also, let him be unto thee as the Gentile and the publican.
18Verily I say unto you, what things soever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and what things soever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
19Again 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.
← Matthew 18:15Matthew 18:17 →
← Full Chapter 18 Matthew Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But if he will not hear thee, etc.]. But will either deny the fact, or extenuate and excuse it, or defend it, or at least is obstinate and incorrigible, shows no signs of repentance, but is angry, gives hard words, and ill language: then take with thee one or two more; members of the church, and perhaps of weight, reputation, and character, who either know some thing of the matter, and so can confirm, by their testimony, what has been alleged, in order to bring the person to conviction and acknowledgment; or if they do not, and which seems rather to be the sense, they may, by hearing what is said on both sides, judge where the truth lies, and join with the offended person in the admonition,…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“But 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, 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. That they might be witnesses of his conduct before the church, Matthew 18:17. The law of Moses required two or three witnesses, Deu 19:15; 2 Corinthians 13:1; John 8:17. return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“18:16 By requiring the presence of one or two others, Jesus prevented slanderous, unsubstantiated accusations from being presented to the congregation (see John 8:17; 2 Cor 13:1; 1 Tim 5:19; Heb 10:28).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“that in: Num 35:30; Deu 17:6, Deu 19:15; Kg1 21:13; Joh 8:17; Co2 13:1; Ti1 5:19; Heb 10:28; Jo1 5:7, Jo1 5:8; Rev 11:3 Matthew 18:17”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Matthew 18 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification