Matthew 18 16

Matthew 18:16 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.

Matthew 18:16 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.'

Matthew 18:16 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.'

Matthew 18:16 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.

Matthew 18:16 nlt

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.

Matthew 18 verses

Matthew 18 16 Meaning

Matthew 18:16 outlines the second step in resolving conflict and dealing with a sinning brother within the Christian community. If a private, one-on-one rebuke is ineffective (as described in Matt 18:15), the instruction is to involve a small group of "two or three witnesses." These additional individuals serve several crucial purposes: to corroborate the accusation, to confirm that the offending party was indeed confronted, to persuade the one in sin to repent, and to establish the facts with irrefutable testimony should the matter escalate to the broader church. This process emphasizes due diligence, truth, fairness, and the protection of all parties, echoing ancient legal principles for validating claims.

Matthew 18 16 Context

Matthew chapter 18, often referred to as the "Discourse on Humility and Community" or "The Little Ones," primarily focuses on the principles governing life within the nascent Christian community. Jesus addresses topics such as humility (v.1-5), the danger of causing others to stumble (v.6-9), the parable of the lost sheep (v.10-14), and instructions on how to handle a sinning brother (v.15-20). Verse 16 falls directly within these instructions, detailing the crucial second step of a structured process for conflict resolution and discipline aimed at restoring the erring individual. Historically, these instructions align with and build upon Jewish legal and community practices derived from the Mosaic Law, particularly the requirement for multiple witnesses to establish truth, ensuring justice and protecting against false accusations. This step prevents hasty judgments and ensures impartiality by bringing in neutral parties to confirm the facts and observe the ongoing interaction.

Matthew 18 16 Word analysis

• "But if" (Ean de): Introduces a conditional transition, signifying the next step if the first step (private confrontation in Matt 18:15) fails. It implies a necessary progression in the disciplinary process.
• "he does not listen" (me akousē): "Listen" here means more than just hearing words; it signifies heeding, obeying, or responding positively to the rebuke. His failure to listen indicates continued impenitence.
• "take" (paralabon - aorist active participle of paralambanō): Implies "taking along with," "receiving from another," or "associating with." Here, it means to invite or bring others into the process, not to seize or compel.
• "one or two others" (hetairon hena ē duo): "Others" (hetairon) can refer to companions, associates, or fellow members of the community. The specific number "one or two" is a practical range, small enough to maintain a level of privacy yet sufficient to establish multiple witnesses as required by law.
• "along with you": Emphasizes that these individuals join you (the one who initiated the confrontation) as support and corroboration, not as independent accusers.
• "so that" (hina): A purpose clause, clearly stating the reason for bringing others. This makes the objective explicit: establishing the charge.
• "every charge" (pan rhēma): Rhēma can mean "word," "utterance," "statement," "matter," or "thing." In this context, it refers to "every matter," "every accusation," or "every statement of fact" related to the sin. It covers all the details of the offense and the response.
• "may be established" (stathē - aorist passive subjunctive of histēmi): Means "to stand," "to set up," "to appoint," "to make firm," or "to confirm." The passive voice emphasizes that the charge is made solid and verified. It conveys the idea of legal or factual certainty.
• "by the evidence" (epi stomatos - literally "on the mouth"): This is a Hellenistic Jewish idiom for "by the word" or "by the testimony" of someone. It vividly portrays the witnesses verbally affirming the truth of the matter. It emphasizes oral testimony.
• "of two or three witnesses" (duo martyrōn ē treōn): Martyrōn (witnesses) refers to those who give testimony or attest to facts. The specific number "two or three" is directly derived from Mosaic Law (Deut 19:15), signifying the minimum required for a charge to be legally valid and compelling. It guards against false accusations and ensures veracity.

Words-group analysis:

• "take one or two others along with you": This phrase highlights the importance of shared responsibility and community involvement in dealing with sin. It's not just a private individual's concern but requires communal accountability and wisdom, moving beyond a single perspective.
• "so that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses": This is the core legal principle underlying the entire step. It establishes the mechanism for ensuring truth, protecting all parties from unfounded accusations, and preventing private vendettas. It is about confirming the facts of both the initial sin and the offender's response to the initial confrontation, ensuring impartiality and justice before further escalation.

Matthew 18 16 Bonus section

The concept of "two or three witnesses" found in Matt 18:16 is not just a pragmatic rule but a theological principle woven throughout the Scriptures. It underscores God's commitment to justice, truth, and due process. This rule provides a safeguard against judicial error and abuse, ensuring that serious matters are not decided on unsubstantiated claims. In a New Testament context, it also implicitly protects the integrity of the accusing party from charges of personal vendetta, as the testimony becomes shared and verified. This step is about gaining sufficient conviction and clarity, not about forming an "accusers' committee." The additional witnesses ideally possess wisdom, discernment, and spiritual maturity, helping guide the conversation towards reconciliation rather than merely documenting conflict. Their role extends to ensuring that the offender fully understands the seriousness of their unrepentant sin from a neutral and scripturally informed perspective.

Matthew 18 16 Commentary

Matthew 18:16 articulates the second, critical stage of restorative church discipline. Building on the private counsel of verse 15, this step introduces an impartial third party – "one or two others." These individuals are not merely observers but witnesses: they witness the continued impenitence of the offender and ideally become witnesses to a potential repentance. Their presence serves multiple purposes: to corroborate the truth of the offense (establishing "every charge"), to lend moral weight to the plea for repentance, and to ensure fairness and transparency should the matter escalate further (to the whole church in Matt 18:17). This protocol, deeply rooted in Old Testament legal standards requiring "two or three witnesses" (Deut 19:15), safeguards against baseless accusations while emphasizing the community's persistent desire for the restoration of the erring member. It underscores that truth and accountability are foundational to healthy communal life, prioritizing gentle persuasion and verified facts over rumor or individual grievance.

Practical examples:

• Business dispute: Two church members are partners; one consistently cheats on financial matters. After a private attempt fails, the aggrieved partner brings in two respected elders or mature believers to mediate and witness the ongoing unrepentant behavior.
• Repetitive sin: Someone is repeatedly struggling with public drunkenness after private conversations. Two trusted accountability partners are invited to join the next conversation, witnessing both the continued pattern and the private pleading.
• Verbal offense: A brother has slandered another publicly. After a one-on-one reconciliation fails because the slanderer denies the offense, a mutual friend and a church leader are brought in as witnesses to the original words spoken and the continued lack of remorse.