In 2025 we're working our way through the gospels and invite you to join us as we seek to learn from Jesus. Admittedly, I'm not keeping the pace. Matthew 18 was supposed to be completed in February. While I'm still committed to work my way through the gospels, I'm going to alter the pace beginning in April. At that point, I'll make two calendars, the one with the original pace, if that's been working for you, and one at a slower pace. Likely, we will continue this study in 2026. The download will still include a blank calendar so you can plan your own pace.

Find all our notes, from this year and past years, at the Faith Food tab. Welcome, friends, we're so glad you're journeying with us. Let's grow together!

Our Notes on Matthew 18 include:

An Overview: Topic, Themes, and Summary,
An Outline Of our thoughts and questions.
Cross References Of Guardian Angels.
A Reflection On Kingdom Expectations
An Invitation to Respond To God, our Leader.

Matthew 18

Overview

General Topic

How to act as a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Key Themes

Humility. Community. Forgiveness.

Summary

In the Kingdom, it is the unassuming, eager to learn people who benefit the most. Watch over one another, lead them in the ways of righteousness, and ardently avoid every temptation. We are responsible for one another. Forgiveness is obligatory. We, through Jesus, are a united unit, and the Father expects it to remain that way.

Outline

? Denotes a question, * a personal thought, and ! a connection. Researched answers are in italics. *R communicates that in-depth research follows.

On Becoming Like Children (Matthew 18:1-5)

The 12 wanted to know how to earn kingdom favor.
Jesus, turning to a child, told them that without a child's humility, they would never enter the kingdom.

*Children have a desire to learn and grow, but they need guidance. Jesus came for those who knew they needed healing, not for the ones who were self-sufficient - or self-righteous. (Matthew 9:12)
Children need to depend on their fathers or caretakers. NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible

Treating a child as Jesus would shows you accept Jesus Himself.

! "In my name" means character. Like I would. In accordance to your position as My representative. - Bible Hub
! In this time period, children had very little value. Often, an unwanted child would be abandoned. In the early Christian church, Christians would typically take in these children. - Christianity.com;

On the Value of Kingdom Children (Matthew 18:10-14)

Care for all my children because their guardians are always in my Father's presence reporting what happens.
Consider this: when one sheep wanders, God leaves the ninety-nine to find the lost one (that was driven away by a stumbling block).?

Might this be another verse that supports predestination?

! And I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people. Isaiah 51:16 KJV
! All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. John 6:37 KJV
! I, the Lord, watch over it [His vineyard]; I water it continually. I guard it day and night so that no one may harm it. Isaiah 27:3 (Explore cross references of this verse.)

*I am safe.

"The wisdom of the world says the shepherd should forget that one missing sheep and chalk it up as a loss. In God's economy, each soul has its own value apart from all the others..." - The Voice

On Stumbling (Matthew 18:7-9; Matthew 18:15-20)

Woe to anyone who makes a child of God's stumble.

! Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. Acts 20:28 NIV.
! Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Matthew 7:15 KJV.

Stumbling will happen, prepare yourself. Rid your life of anything/one that entices you to sin. It's better to lose something in this world than to spend eternity in hell.

*Momentary happiness is not worth eternal torment.
! "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33 NIV
! "My brethren, count it all JOY when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." James 1:2-4 KJV

When you notice another stumble, approach them privately. If they refuse to repent, ask two or three more to talk about the issue to the person with you. If they still refuse to repent, bring them before the whole flock. Then, if they still refuse to repent, consider them to no longer be a part of your flock.

? How often do we stop after an initial one-on-one confrontation with the person? I don't think I've ever pulled two or three people in, let alone an entire church.
? What does it mean by "the church", because we are all the church and "the church" hadn't started at this point. Does it reference a larger group of followers? Is this the first mention of "the church" in the Bible?

Make sure to approach another with reason, because your choices in relationships have ripples in eternity.

* Before we confront someone, we need to honestly ask ourselves why we are confronting them. Is it because of selfish motivations, like hurt feelings, or because they genuinely are not following the will of God.
"What God desires most, is not the casting out of an unrepentant member, but loving chastisement for the sake of bringing the sinful back to God." - The Voice

If two children of the Kingdom clearly discern that another is no longer abiding in Kingdom righteousness, then, together, they intercede to the Father regarding them. The Father blesses their discernment. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am with them.

*We are too good at pointing out faults in others. If we actually beheld perfection, we wouldn't notice it. Look at Jesus. Think about how many missed it in Him. The problem is, we're searching for our own idea of perfection, not Jesus'. But, when two Kingdom citizens work together to discern, we get closer.
! "Discernment is God's call to intercession, never to faultfinding." - Corrie Ten Boom *We discern a problem, then intercede in prayer so God can work at restoration. This is how we strengthen the Kingdom. This is how we seek what's best for each other. In the process, we are likely to notice God is busy restoring us, too. After all, we are each but one stone in the wall. (Read more about being a stone.)
! "The only poetry in life is from binding yourself to another person." - Brant Hansen
! Jesus is the tie that binds.
? Does this verse literally mean anything you ask for, or does it strictly regard Kingdom-minded choices? The phrases "ask for in my name" (John 14:13), "gathered in my name" (Matthew 18:20), "received in my name" (Matthew 18:5), and the context, makes me believe it specifically means asking for things that will strengthen God's Kingdom because "in my name" means acting in a way that represents Jesus. So, we're in agreement that what we petition God for is something that Jesus would put His seal of approval on.
? In the KJV, Matthew 18:19 says, "That if two of you shall agree on earth "as touching" anything that they shall ask..."

Is the "as touching" where the laying on of hands comes from?
! And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. Matthew 17:7 KJV

On Forgiveness (Matthew 18:21-35)

Forgiveness within the Kingdom is perpetual for everyone; we must always forgive one another.

The "seventy-seven times" is another example of Jesus turning our expectations upside down. It alludes to the story of Lamech in Genesis. He killed a man in vengeance and, returning home, proclaimed to his wives that Lamech deserved to be avenged seventy-seven times. (Genesis 4:23-24) "As Christians, we should forgive others' transgressions more readily than the world would avenge them." - The Voice
*Even though forgiving each other is often hard, know God knows what is best for us after all,: ! [We] turn things upside down, as if the potter [God] were thought to be like the clay [us]! Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, "You did not make me"? Can the pot say to the potter, "You know nothing"? Isaiah 29:16 NIV (Explore cross references of this verse.)
*This chapter seems to deal exclusively for those within the household of God. Yet, I think treating everyone as if they were part of that household is wise because we don't know for sure who is and who isn't. That's likely why the section on confrontations and stumbling blocks are here: to learn how to protect ourselves and others from ones who have either not yet matured in Kingdom ways, or who are not actually Kingdom citizens.
*Refusing to forgive someone is essentially saying you think they "owe" you something. By forgiving them, we're releasing our bind on them so God can step in and take over.

After all, we've been forgiven for much. So, the Father expects you to genuinely forgive much.

*Forgiveness, as a Kingdom citizen, is an expected reaction:

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Matthew 6:12 KJV
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. Colossians 3:13 KJV
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." Mark 11:25 NIV
Doth he thank the servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. Luke 17:9-10 KJV

*And among fellow citizens, there is a system of checks and balances in place. (Matthew 18:15-20)

The consequence to unforgiveness to a fellow citizen, is the Father's unforgiveness of you.

*Forgive everyone always and sincerely.
*We are all free. That's what it means to be part of the Kingdom. We are to let our brothers and sisters live in Christ's freedom; we don't have a right to keep a grip on them.

Cross References

Does Matthew 18:10 reference guardian angels?

The Verse

Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold! the face of my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 18:10 KJV

*Behold! indicates divine partnership and is also translated "Here I am". - Blaine Eldredge

Cross References of Matthew 18:10

Take heed that you despise not one of these little ones;

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Matthew 18:6 KJV
A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory. Matthew 12:20 NIV
[One who will dwell with God] despises a vile person, but honors those who fear the Lord; [is one who] keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind; Psalm 15:4 NIV

for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels...

But while [Joseph] thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, though son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. Matthew 1:20 KJV
And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, ARISE, and take the young child and his mother, and flee in Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child do destroy him...But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, Saying, ARISE, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life. Matthew 2:13, 19 KJV
And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. Matthew 24:31 NIV

*ARISE to me indicates expected action on our part and empowering (and/or blessing) on God's. (Discover more about ARISE.)

do always behold! the face of the Father

Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously. Isaiah 24:23 KJV (See cross references.)
And her merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the LORD: it shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before the LORD, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing. Isaiah 23:18 KJV (See cross references.)
And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left. I Kings 22:19 KJV
For thus saith the high and lofty One who inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirt of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Isaiah 57:15 KJV (See cross references.)

Verses about Guardian Angels

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. Psalm 91:11 KJV
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Psalm 34:7 NIV
Are [angels] not all ministering spirts, sent forth to minister for [serve] them who shall be heirs of salvation? Hebrews 1:14 KJV [NIV]
Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Exodus 23:20 KJV
My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty. Daniel 6:22 NIV

*Thoughts: I get so caught up in the things I can see that I often forget there is an entire realm of existence beyond this one. Not only are there demons at work, but also angels. These angels dwell before the face of the Lord and report to Him constantly. There is an ongoing spiritual battle raging with an untold number of spiritual defenders on the battleground. They are there to protect and guide His children, watch how we treat them, and report back to God. Truly our choices ripple in eternity and we are certainly not walking alone.

Sources:

Guardian Angels verses at Open Bible
Matthew 18:10 cross references at Bible Hub

Reflections

It seems like this chapter is all one theme that I am grasping at to put all the pieces together. The theme seems to be the Kingdom, and specifically how we are to treat each other who claim citizenship. We could title this section:

How to be a Kingdom Citizen

Be excited to be part of it. The Kingdom has no hierarchy - at least not like we'd assume. The ideal Kingdom citizen does not seek power, but with genuine curiosity seeks to learn more about every aspect of the Kingdom. With unguarded generosity, a citizen loves everyone they encounter. And with enduring JOY is thankful they get to be part of it.
Lead each other in righteousness. The problem is, there are issues that arise that affect our innocence, eagerness, and openness: stumbling blocks purposely placed and/or commonly desired. Our job is to refuse to be one and to diligently eradicate any we encounter.
Guard one another. God ardently protects all His sheep. They are each precious to Him and are carefully guarded. Every Kingdom citizen must have the same level of caring for all of God's sheep.
Confront unrighteousness righteously. Now, if someone who is believed to be a citizen sins against you, first, confront them privately. If they refuse to listen, bring the issue before one or two more citizens. If the person still is choosing sin over Kingdom expectations, consult the whole group. No opinion regarding a citizen should be decided in isolation. If this person refuses to repent, the flock is to treat him as an outsider. The reality is, all citizens are bound by the Son and what they agree on together, as representatives of Jesus, the Father blesses. So, when they deem that one within their fold is choosing not to submit to the Kingdom way, they turn him over to the Father.
Forgiveness is mandatory. You have been forgiven much, even though you don't deserve it, so you must forgive much. If you don't forgive other people their "debt" against you, God will hold you accountable for your debt against Him.

Respond

Connect

God leads. As our leader, He has expectations for us as Kingdom citizens.

Reflect

Am I representing God's kingdom well? How clean are my hands? What am I involved in that sullies them? How pure is my heart? What am I doing to guard it and keep it pure?
Do I take responsibility for tending His flock? What choices am I actively making to lead others to Jesus and then to encourage them as they continue on in righteousness? Do I confront fellow citizens when they sin, or do I let it be their issue between them and God? Which choice is actually more loving?
Do I forgive regularly and sincerely? What resentment am I holding in my heart? What steps can I take to release it to God?

Act

Arise, and represent God well.

Arise, and tend to the flock.

Arise, and forgive others.

In Closing

Father, You made us to live in unity. We are one through your Son. But we don't act like it. We spend more time in conflict than in togetherness. Teach us to restore relationships in Your kingdom here on earth. Soften our hearts and open our eyes that we may grow more excited, and humbled, to learn what it is we are actually a part of. Teach us to find JOY in one another as You find JOY in us, to lead one another as You lead us, to guard each other as You guard us, to correct each other as You correct us, and to forgive each other as You forgive us.

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