Matthew 18 and similar passages reveal that forgiveness in some contexts is connected to forgiving or release of a debt. Similarly, when one sins against another, the offending person is in debt to the offended. Ideally, both the offender and offended meet halfway to reach reconciliation (cf. Matthew 5, 18). But, the difference is that…
The first rule of understanding the meaning of any passage is to explore its context. Matthew 7, which contains the teaching against “judging,” is the final section of Jesus’ sermon. Jesus contrasts the expectations of the Pharisees with the true standards of righteousness that He expects from those who are His disciples. Jesus’ does not…
“ Judge not, that you be not judged.” This phrase taken from Matthew 7:1 is often used in response to any comment that is thought to be an attack. Associated with the response would be some response like, “Who are you to judge me?” or “Jesus told us never to judge people, only to love…
Matthew 28 records what is known as the Great Commission. The command given to them was to make disciples. Attached to this command is the participle phrase, “baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” Question: Who are they to baptize? Would-be disciples or disciples? The text teaches that disciples are…
Matthew’s reference to the healings performed by Jesus has more commentary than Mark8:16 reads, “When evening came. many who were demon-possessed were brought to him. and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took our infirmities and…
The text reads, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Jesus taught in John 7:24, “Stop judging by mere appearances but instead judge correctly” (NIV). The English Standard Version…
Another condition of the heart that will hinder prayer and will cause God to not hear is when a person seeks forgiveness while refusing to forgive another. Jesus taught, “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your…
In Matthew 14:22-23, the text reads, “Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone” (ESV). Two things…
The word “temptation” may be translated from Greek as trials, testing, proving, or temptation to do evil. The context determines whether it refers to the temptation to sin or trials. One way to know may be to explore whether the context includes God as the source of it. If so, then, the word means trial…
The term “debts” is used for trespasses as is indicated in verses 14-15. One of the conditions for our personal forgiveness is our forgiveness of those who have sinned against us (Matt. 6:14-15, Mark 11:25). The second condition for our forgiveness is our repentance. Like forgiveness, what is true of God’s forgiveness of us is…