Matthew 18

FALSE AMBITION VERSUS CHILDLIKENESS. (Capernaum, Autumn, A.D. 29.) Matthew 18:1-14 ; Mark 9:33-50 ; Luke 9:46-50
1. Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Not comprehending our Lord's answer ( Mark 9:34 ), and wishing to have him definitelypoint out the honored person, they now come asking this question. HadJesus wished to teach the primacy of Peter, no better opportunity couldhave been found.

18:4  Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child¹, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

1. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, etc. Jesus told them plainly that they must turn from their sin of personalambition or they could not be his disciples--part of his kingdom--andhe pointed them to a little child as the model in this particular,because the humble spirit in which the child looks up to its parentsstood out in sharp contrast with their self-exalting ambition.See Mark 9:37.

18:6  But whoso shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to stumble¹, it is profitable for him that a great millstone should be hanged about his neck, and [that] he should be sunk in the depth of the sea.

1. But whoso shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to stumble, etc. See Mark 9:42.

18:7  Woe unto the world because of occasions of stumbling¹! for it must needs be that the occasions come; but woe to that man through whom the occasion cometh!

1. Woe unto the world because of occasions of stumbling! The depravity of man makes sin inevitable, but nevertheless it does not remove orreduce the personal responsibility of him who tempts to or causes tosin.

18:8  And if thy hand or thy foot causeth thee to stumble¹, cut it off, and cast it from thee: it is good for thee to enter into life maimed or halt, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the eternal fire.

1. And if thy hand or thy foot causeth thee to stumble, etc. See Mark 9:43.

18:9  And if thine eye causeth thee to stumble¹, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is good for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the hell of fire.

1. If thine eye causeth thee to stumble, etc. See Mark 9:43.

18:10  See 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 who is in heaven¹.

See that ye despise not one of these little ones|. Jesus hereresumes his warning against that pride which exalts itself and despisesthe humble.

1. That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven. Disclosing the fact that the ministration of angelsis not only general but special, certain angels being entrusted withthe care of certain individuals, and all of them supplementing theirown wisdom and power by direct access to the presence of God.

18:12  How think ye¹? if any man have a hundred sheep², and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and go unto the mountains, and seek that which goeth astray?

1. How think ye? Those who have led highly moral lives have a tendency to despise those who have been defiled by gross sin. This truth isabundantly illustrated by the conduct of the Pharisees, but that suchlittle ones should not be despised Jesus speaks this warning parable.See notes at Luke 15:3-7 .

2. If any man have a hundred sheep, etc. Though the sheep in the fold and the one that is lost have, as individuals, the same intrinsicvalue, yet this even balance of value is somewhat modified by thesentiments and emotions incident to loss and recovery.

18:13  And if so be that he find it¹, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth over it more than over the ninety and nine which have not gone astray.

Prev
123
Next