But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
Parallel translations
- WEB But if he doesn’t listen, take one or two more with you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
- BSB But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’
- NKJV But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’
- NASB But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that on the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter may be confirmed.
- NLT But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
If private appeal fails, take one or two others so that every matter is confirmed by witnesses. Loving correction proceeds carefully and justly.
Overview
Jesus applies the Old Testament principle of multiple witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15) to guard truth and fairness in the process. The added witnesses still aim at recovery, not punishment. This measured escalation protects both the accused and the integrity of the community's judgment.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Deut 19:15One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.
- 2 Cor 13:1This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
- John 8:17It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.
- 1 Tim 5:19Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
- Heb 10:28He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
- Num 35:30Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die.
- Deut 17:6At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.
- 1 Kgs 21:13And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died.
- 1 Jn 5:7–8For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
- Rev 11:3And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 18:16 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.