Matthew 18:23
Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
Matthew 18:23 in other translations
| BSB | Because of this, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. |
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| WEB | Therefore the Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. |
| ASV | Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, who would make a reckoning with his servants. |
| YLT | ‘Because of this was the reign of the heavens likened to a man, a king, who did will to take reckoning with his servants, |
| DARBY | For this cause the kingdom of the heavens has become like a king who would reckon with his bondmen. |
| BBE | For this reason the kingdom of heaven is like a king, who went over his accounts with his servants. |
| Webster | Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened to a certain king who would take account of his servants. |
What does Matthew 18:23 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
Would take account of his servants. To take account means to reckon, to settle up the affairs. Servants here means, probably, petty princes, or, more likely, collectors of the revenue or taxes. Among the ancients, kings often farmed out, or sold for a certain sum, the taxes of a particular province. Thus, when Judea was subject to Egypt, or Rome, the kings frequently sold to the high priest the taxes to be raised from Judea, on condition of a much smaller sum being paid to them. This secured to them a certain sum, but it gave occasion to much oppression in the collection of the taxes. It is probable that some such persons are intended by the word servants.
(t) "take account" Rom 14:12
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Matthew 18:21-35
Though we live wholly on mercy and forgiveness, we are backward to forgive the offences of our brethren. This parable shows how much provocation God has from his family on earth, and how untoward his servants are. There are three things in the parable: 1. The master's wonderful clemency. The debt of sin is so great, that we are not able to pay it. See here what every sin deserves; this is the wages of sin, to be…
Matthew 18:23 in the original Greek
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Cross references for Matthew 18:23
- Romans 14:12
So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
- Matthew 13:24
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
- Matthew 3:2
And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
- Matthew 13:44-45
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
- Matthew 13:47
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
- Luke 19:12-27
He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. …
- Luke 16:1-2
And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.
- Matthew 13:31
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
- 2 Corinthians 5:10-11
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
- Matthew 13:33
Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
- Matthew 13:52
Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.
- 1 Corinthians 4:5
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
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Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- Matthew 18:22
Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
- Matthew 18:23
Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
- Matthew 18:24
And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
Matthew 18:23 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Por lo cual, el reino de los cielos es semejante á un hombre rey, que quiso hacer cuentas con sus siervos. |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | C’est pourquoi le royaume des cieux a été fait semblable à un roi qui voulut compter avec ses esclaves. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Deswegen ist das Reich der Himmel einem Könige gleich geworden, der mit seinen Knechten abrechnen wollte. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Ideo assimilatum est regnum cælorum homini regi, qui voluit rationem ponere cum servis suis. |