Matthew 18 · The Lantern

The Greatest in the Kingdom

At the same time came the disciples to Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

And Jesus called a little child to him, and set him in the midst of them,

What then saith Christ? He unveils their conscience, and replies to their feeling, not merely to their words. "For He called a little child unto Him," saith the Scripture, "and said, Except ye be converted, and become as this little child, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." "Why, you," He saith, "inquire who is greatest, and are contentious for first honors; but I…

After our Lord had rejected the companies of the wise, and the bands of cunning and crafty men, and had chosen those fishermen who were innocent and without instruction, He moreover taught them also to increase their simplicity, and not to abide in that first grade of their childlikeness only.

Consequently, Christ's response is set forth, and it presents both an action and a saying of Christ; hence it says and Jesus calling unto him a little child. Who this little child was is explained in three ways.

And said, Truly I say to you, Except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Beside this obvious explanation let another be given as well. As an act of theological and ethical reflection, let us ask what sort of a child Jesus called to him and has set in the midst of the disciples. Think of it this way: The child called by Jesus is the Holy Spirit, who humbled himself. He was called by the Savior and set in the middle of the disciples of Jesus.

Such a Center has a saving power: and anyone who draws away from it is condemned, as drawing away from the means of humility. And in Matthew: "Unless you turn and become like little children, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven." In this center "He has wrought salvation," that is, in the humility of the cross.

Likewise, the word of the Lord should be noted. And first he touches on its necessity; secondly, its efficacy. He says amen I say to you, unless you be converted, that is, free from this elation; Zech 1:3: turn to me, etc., and become as this little child, not in age, but in simplicity; 1 Cor 14:20: do not become children in sense, but in malice be children.

Whoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

And whoever shall receive one such little child in my name receives me.

But how can he who has been converted, and become as a little child, be yet liable to be scandalized? This may be thus explained. Every one who believes on the Son of God, and walks after evangelic acts, is converted and walks as a little child; but he who is not converted that he may become as a child, it is impossible that he should enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Here the Lord not only repressed the apostles' thoughts but also checked the ambition of believers throughout the whole world, so that he might be great who wanted to be least. For with this purpose Jesus used the example of the child, that what he had been through his nature, we through our holy living might become—innocent, like children innocent of every sin.

And whoever shall receive one such little child, receives me. Since little children are so worthy, they should not be scandalized; hence and whoever shall scandalize, etc. And first he shows that they should not be scandalized because of the punishment; secondly, because of divine providence. The second part begins at see that you despise not one of these little ones.

Temptations and Trespasses

But whoever 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.

These important items of comparison are not idle. Such an offender is to be sunk in the sea with both a millstone and an asses' pack load, and even this is better for him! What is better in the accepted sense of the word is always beneficial. What then is the utility of being sunk with an asses' millstone hung around one's neck?

(Quaest. Ev. i. 24) Otherwise; Whoso offendeth one of these little ones, that is so humble as He would have his disciples to be, by not obeying, or by opposing, (as the Apostle says of Alexander,) it were better for him, that a millstone should be hanged about his neck, and he be drowned in the depths of the sea, (2 Tim.

There follows but he who shall scandalize one of these little ones, etc. If he is such a person, it is clear that he is greater. And how shall one who is greater be scandalized? For the perfect are not scandalized. Chrysostom says that to scandalize is the same as to inflict injury, and this can be inflicted on the perfect and the imperfect alike.

Woe to the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence comes!

Jesus pronounced "woe for temptations to sin" on people scattered throughout the whole world who are subject to temptations. But the disciples, who do not contemplate the things that are seen, are not of the world. Neither is their Master of the world. Therefore the "woe for temptations to sin" does not apply to Jesus' faithful disciples.

Of what world are we speaking when we say "Woe to the world for temptations to sin"? We speak of that world of which it is said, "And the world knew him not." We are not speaking of that world of which it is said, "God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself." There is an evil world, and there is a good world. In the evil world are all the evil ones of this world.

Woe to the world because of scandals. Having set forth the punishment in particular, he now sets it forth in general. And he does three things. First, he makes a general proclamation; secondly, he adds its necessity; thirdly, he removes any excuse, because for those who scandalize, it would be better that a millstone should be hanged about their neck, etc.

Therefore if your hand or your foot offend you, cut them off, and cast them from you: it is better for you to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.

And if your eye offend you, pluck it out, and cast it from you: it is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

If somebody, in the whole body of the congregations of the church, is industrious and handy for practical action and he changes and his hand causes him to sin, the eye should say to this hand, "I have no need of you." And after it has said it, let him cut it off and throw it from him.

This sentence of the Lord can faithfully be understood about any one of us. Yet in cutting off a hand or foot or in plucking out an eye, it is clear that family relations or unbelieving ministers and leaders of the church are signified.And so by "hand" we understand that priests are signified; like a hand their work in every area is necessary to the body of the church, about wh…

Likewise someone is necessary to you for teaching, and so is your eye; hence and if your eye scandalize you, pluck it out. And he gives the reason: it is better for you, etc. Or it can refer to the whole Church, because eyes are prelates, hands are deacons, feet are simple folk. Hence a prelate should rather be deposed, or a deacon removed, than that the Church be scandalized.

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

Take heed that you despise not one of these little ones; for I say to you, That in heaven their angels do always look the face of my Father which is in heaven.

The bodies of people differ from each other in size, so that some are short, some are tall, and some are in between. Again the short are different in their shortness since they are more short or less short, and the same likewise of the tall, and again of those in between.

(de Civ. Dei, xxii. 29.) Or; They are called our Angels who are indeed the Angels of God. they are Gods because they have not forsaken Him; they are ours because they have begun to have us for their fellow-citizens. As they now behold God, so shall we also behold Him face to face, of which vision John speaks, We shall see him as he is.

See that you despise not one of these little ones. Above he had taught the avoidance of scandal on account of punishment; here, however, he teaches its avoidance from the consideration of divine providence: and regarding this he does two things. First, he sets forth the point; secondly, he assigns the reason, at for I say to you, etc.

[Not in the earliest manuscripts. TR Byz · not Tisch SR. King James: “For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.”]

How think you? if a man have a hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine, and goes into the mountains, and seeks that which is gone astray?

But by the one sheep is to be understood one man, and under this one man is comprehended the whole human race. He that seeks man is Christ, and the ninety and nine are the host of the heavenly glory which He left.

(ap. Anselm.)f; Or, By the ninety-nine sheep, which He left on the mountains, are signified the proud to whom a unit is still wanting for perfection. When then He has found the sinner, He rejoices over him, that is, He makes his own to rejoice over him, rather than over the false righteous.

What do you think? Here a similitude is set forth. And first, a diligent search is presented; secondly, the joy over the sheep that was found. Hence he says what do you think? He had said that the Son of man came to save that which was lost, because a shepherd seeks the lost sheep. If a man have a hundred sheep.

And if so be that he find it, truly I say to you, he rejoices more of that sheep, than of the ninety-nine which went not astray.

For anyone who has sheep is a shepherd. No one is more truly a shepherd than Christ our God. One of his sheep has strayed. It is not the fault of the shepherd but of the sheep that had strayed from its flock. This one sheep is the man Adam, whom in the beginning the Lord had created in his image and likeness.

(ap. Anselm.) The Lord found the sheep when He restored man, and over that sheep that is found there is more joy in heaven than over the ninety and nine, because there is a greater matter for thanksgiving to God in the restoration of man than in the creation of the Angels. Wonderfully are the Angels made, but more wonderfully man restored.

Consequently, the joy is treated: and if it happen that he find it, etc. Here also a threefold reason can be assigned. That the Lord rejoices over good things is stated in Zeph 3:17: your God will rejoice over you with gladness.

Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

The sheep that became lost is the sinner lost from the flock of a hundred. This could refer to the number of the heavenly powers. These powers are capable of speech and reasoning. The one sheep is counted as being among the flock, a part of a great number, as if among "a hundred sheep." His wandering is the consequence of Adam's fall. He is searched for.

We must consider, my brothers, why the Lord declares there is more joy in heaven over converted sinners than over the just who stand firm, unless it is what we ourselves know through daily experience of observation: that very often those who know themselves weighed down by no burden of sins do indeed stand in the way of justice, commit no unlawful acts, yet do not anxiously lon…

He concludes therefore: so it is not the will of your Father, who is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. He says less and signifies more, because his will is that they be saved; 1 Tim 2:4: who will have all men to be saved. For if he did not will it, he would not send angels. Ezek 18:23: is it my will that a sinner should die? says the Lord.

A Brother Who Sins

Moreover if your brother shall trespass against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone: if he shall hear you, you have gained your brother.

And reprove one another, not in anger, but in peace, as ye have it in the Gospel; but to every one that acts amiss against another, let no one speak, nor let him hear aught from you until he repent. But your prayers and alms and all your deeds so do, as ye have it in the Gospel of our Lord.

(Serm. 82. 1.) Our Lord admonishes us not to overlook one another's faults, yet not so as seeking for matter of blame, but watching what you may amend. For our rebuke should be in love, not eager to wound, but anxious to amend. If you pass it by, you are become worse than he.

If then your brother shall offend against you, etc. Here he treats of forgiving scandal. And first, the order is set forth; secondly, the number, at then Peter came to him, etc. Regarding the first, three things.

But if he will not hear you, then take with you one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

For if "in the mouth of three witnesses every word shall stand: " -while, through the benediction, we have the same (three) as witnesses of our faith whom we have as sureties of our salvation too-how much more does the number of the divine names suffice for the assurance of our hope likewise!

If someone has done you injury and you have suffered, what should be done? You have heard the answer already in today's Scripture: "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone."If you fail to do so, you are worse than he is. He has done someone harm, and by doing harm he has stricken himself with a grievous wound.

And if he will not hear you, take with you one or two more. Here he introduces testimony: take one or two, etc. Deut 19:15: in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word stand. But here a question arises: why does he not immediately bring in witnesses?

And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it to the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be to you as a pagans man and a publican.

That is, to those that are over the Church. Yet the Lord enjoins nothing of this sort to be observed towards those who are without the Church, such as He does in reproving a brother. Of those that are without He says. If any smite thee on the one cheek, offer to him the other also. (Mat. 5:39.) as Paul speaks, What have I to do to judge them that are without? (1 Cor.

(Serm. 82, 7.) That is, regard him no longer in the number of thy brethren. Though even thus we are not to neglect his salvation; for the heathens themselves, that is, the gentiles and pagans, we do not indeed regard in the number of our brethren, yet we ever seek their salvation.

Hence he says, and if he will not hear them, tell the Church. Here a denunciation is set forth. And first, a denunciation; secondly, a sentence is given; thirdly, its efficacy. The second is at and if he will not hear the Church, etc.; the third at amen I say to you, etc.

Truly I say to you, Whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

After stating that the one judged is viewed as a heathen and tax collector, something else is added which is well put: "Truly, I say to you"—clearly to those judging someone to be as a heathen and tax collector—"whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven." For he who has three times admonished him and not been heard has justly bound him, and that man is then to be thou…

Well introduced were the words "whatever you loose," since he shows that if they loose those who repent, their action has power, since the church in heaven and on earth is one. Anyone who does not want to be loosed from the bond of his sin but draws it to himself by the alienation of the saints is alienated also from the church in heaven and accordingly is also bound by it.

Amen I say to you, etc. Here the efficacy of this sentence is set forth. For someone might say: what do I care if it is told to the Church and I am excommunicated? Therefore he shows this efficacy: amen I say to you, whatsoever you shall bind upon earth, shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever you shall loose upon earth, shall be loosed also in heaven.

Ask in My Name

Again I say to 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 which is in heaven.

Concord occurs in two kinds: first, in agreement of thought, when two minds think the same ideas (as the apostle called it) and have the same thoughts. Second, in agreement of will, in living similar lives.

(vid. Origen. in loc.) We may also understand this spiritually; where our spirit, soul, and body are in agreement, and have not within them conflicting wills, they shall obtain from My Father every thing they shall ask; for none can doubt that that demand is good, where the body wills the same thing as the spirit.

Again I say to you, etc. Here he sets forth the efficacy of prayer. And first he does this; secondly, he gives the reason, at for where there are two, etc. He says again I say to you, etc. But against this you can object, because we ask for many things that we do not obtain.

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

The Unforgiving Servant

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

And when Peter had put the question whether remission were to be granted to a brother seven times, "Nay," saith He, "seventy-seven times; " in order to remould the Law for the better; because in Genesis vengeance was assigned "seven times" in the case of Cain, but in that of Lamech "seventy-seven times.

(Verse 21, 22.) Then Peter came to him and said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times? Jesus said to him, I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. The Lord's words weighed heavily on him, and they could not be broken like a triple cord.

Then Peter came to him and said: Lord, how often shall my brother offend against me, and I forgive him? Above he taught the order in which forgiveness should take place, namely, after correction and amendment; here he treats of the number, how often forgiveness should be given.

Jesus says to him, I say not to you, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Who, moreover, was able to forgive sins? This is His alone prerogative: for "who remitteth sins but God alone? " and, of course, (who but He can remit) mortal sins, such as have been committed against Himself, and against His temple?

(Serm. 83. 3.) I am bold to say, that if he shall sin seventy-eight times, thou shouldest forgive him; yea, and if a hundred; and how oft soever he sin against thee, forgive him. For if Christ found a thousand sins, yet forgave them all, do not you withdraw your forgiveness.

Jesus said to him: I say not to you, seven times, but seventy times seven times. In one way this can be taken aggregately, so that the sense is: not seven times, but seventy times. Or it can be taken multiplicatively, so that seven multiplied by seventy: and thus Jerome explains it.

Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened to a certain king, which would take account of his servants.

The servants in this case are the dispensers of the word. When he demands an account of the servants, the king also asks those who have borrowed from the servants, whether a hundred measures of grain or a hundred jars of oil or whatever those outside the king's stewardship have received.

Or, by the kingdom of heaven is reasonably understood the holy Church, in which the Lord works what He speaks of in this parable. By the man is sometimes represented the Father, as in that, The kingdom of heaven is like to a king, who made a marriage for his son; and sometimes the Son; but here we may take it for both, the Father and the Son, who are one God.

Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened, etc. Here the similitude is set forth, and he does three things. First, the divine mercy is indicated; secondly, the ingratitude is touched upon, at but when that servant had gone out, etc.; thirdly, the punishment of the ingratitude, at and his fellow servants seeing, etc.

And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought to him, which owed him ten thousand talents.

The moment of beginning the reckoning starts with the household of God, as is it written in Ezekiel: "Begin at my sanctuary." This judgment begins as quickly as the twinkling of an eye. In thinking of the demanding of accounts, let us not forget what we have said before, that these accounts are spiritually conceived.

(Serm. 83, 6.) Therefore let us say, that because the Law is set forth in ten precepts, the ten thousand talents which he owed denote all sins which can be done under the Law. (Quæst. Ev. i.

And when he had begun to take the account. The end of this accounting will be on the day of judgment; the beginning, when he first brings about some tribulation. 1 Pet 4:19: wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God, commend their souls in good deeds to the faithful Creator. Ezek 9:6: begin at my sanctuary.

But since he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

The sale of his wife and the rest of his family shows the complete and utter separation from the joys of God. For the sale shows quite clearly alienation from God. Those alienated from God are those who hear those bitter, fearful words, "Depart from me, you workers of iniquity, for I do not know you."

Man who sinned of his own will and choice, has no power to rise again by his own endeavour, and has not wherewith to pay, because he finds nothing in himself by which he may loose himself from his sins; whence it follows, And when he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

But when this examination of the debt is made, three things are sought. First, the cause of the examination, or the cause of the punishment, is signified; secondly, the punishment is described; thirdly, the fruit of the punishment.

The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.

So we recognize that in the person of this king is signified the Son of God, who held the whole human race guilty in the infinite debt of sin, since through the original sin we were all debtors of sin and death. In the ten thousand talents the serious sins of the human race are signified.

The servant therefore fell down prostrate before him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. Behold the power of repentance and the Lord's love for mankind.

But that servant falling down, besought him, saying. Here the mercy of the lord is set forth. And first, that which provokes mercy is presented: for what greatly provokes mercy is prayer. Hence when a man feels himself in danger, he should have recourse to prayer. Sir 21:1: son, have you sinned? Do not do so again, but for your former sins pray that they may be forgiven you.

Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him a hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that you owe.

And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and begged him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.

And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

When Peter asked this, the Lord commanded that the sinning brother should be forgiven not seven times but seventy times seven. He then added a parable, making the comparison of a king and his servant. The servant, though unworthy, had received such mercy from his master that even an immense debt was forgiven him.

That is, his wrath was the rather inflamed, to exact vengeance of him; And he cast him into prison, until he should pay the debt; that is, he seized his brother, and exacted vengeance of him.

But nothing availed him; hence it says but he would not. Prov 12:10: the bowels of the wicked are cruel. And he cast him into prison, i.e., into tribulation, till he paid the debt, i.e., for the purpose of paying the debt. Prov 6:34: the anger and fury of a man will not spare in the day of revenge.

So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told to their lord all that was done.

Then his lord, after that he had called him, said to him, O you wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt, because you desired me:

It follows, Then his lord called him. He called him by the sentence of death, and bade him pass out of this world, and said unto him, Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou prayedst me.

Then his lord, after he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

Consequently, the reproach is set forth: then his lord called him, etc. The Lord calls through death. Job 19:16: you will call me, and I will answer you. And he said to him. First he reproaches his wickedness; secondly, the benefit conferred; thirdly, he recalls what he ought to have done. He says therefore you wicked servant.

Should not you also have had compassion on your fellowservant, even as I had pity on you?

And his lord was angry, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due to him.

When they do not tolerate our wickedness, our fellow servants are angels who accuse us before God. They do not accuse to God as to one who does not know of our sins but because of their anger at those who break the laws of human love. By "jailers" he means the angels entrusted with our punishment.

And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all his debt. To what tormentors does he deliver him? To the punitive powers for eternal punishment.

And his lord being angry, etc. And first he treats of the punishment, through which separation from God occurs. When above the Lord commanded that he be sold, he did not say that he was angry, because admonitions are not from divine justice, but from mercy; but the reproach is from the anger of God. Prov 19:12: as the roaring of a lion, so also is the anger of the king.

So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also to you, if you from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

What then means the parable? "So likewise shall my Father do also unto you," He saith, "if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses." He saith not "your Father," but "my Father." For it is not meet for God to be called the Father of such a one, who is so wicked and malicious.

(Serm. 83, 7.) or God says, Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven; (Luke 6:37.) I have first forgiven, forgive you then after Me; for if you forgive not, I will call you back, and will require again all that I had remitted to you.

So also shall my heavenly Father do to you. Here he applies the similitude. The Father is God, as above, 6:9: Our Father, who art in heaven. He will do to you, i.e., he will not forgive your sins, if you forgive not everyone his brother from your hearts.