Verse 11 → “For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.”
Once again, the Critical Text (which is going on its 29th revision) does not include this verse.
“that” → (hah) Greek definite article, that, it, he, she
Carries a broader meaning than just people.
The earth is the dwelling of Satan and Christ is the rightful king of Israel.
In order to be lost, something must have once been in God’s possession.
The unsaved today are really not lost, they were never in the possession of God.
Instead, they are dead in their trespasses and sins!

Verse 12 → “How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not
leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?”
Remember, much of Jesus’s ministry was spent with sinners.
The religious leaders took great issue with this. [They did not want people to be forgiven.]
Tax collectors, the adulterous woman, the lame man.
The religious leaders themselves were also in need of repentance.
However, many had blinded their eyes, closed their ears, and hardened their hearts.
Nicodemus was the one Pharisee in scripture that truly learned from Jesus.
This verse is often used in evangelism, but that is not the most literal application of the text.

Verse 13 → “And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety
and nine which went not astray.”
“he rejoiceth more of that sheep” → Why would the shepherd/God celebrate more?
From a shepherding standpoint, it is expected of the sheep to in the grazing area.
They are provided for, cared for, and fulfilling their purpose for the shepherd.
Israel’s obedience and faithfulness was expected. → It was their job.
As a parent, one should not be constantly praised for taking care of their child.
It is their job!
The sheep that was lost had walked away from their covenant and fellowship with God.
Therefore, it would be worth celebrating and rejoicing.

Verse 14 → “Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should
perish.”
While the single sheep may seem insignificant compared to the larger flock, the shepherd cared about it because its rightful place was with the flock.
The shepherd valued the sheep.
The children, while seeming insignificant to the larger picture of the kingdom, were still greatly valued.

Verse 15 → “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him
alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.”
This passage is very important to understand within the context.
If someone approaches the Gospel’s within context, they understand the Kingdom Gospel.
Therefore, these words of instruction are not direct instructions for the church.
This is not to say that this is not sound wisdom for speaking with someone who has sinned.
“thou hast gained” → You have won over your brother.
A private conversation is much better than avoidance or talking behind someone’s back.


Verse 16 → “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.”
This is certainly some wise actions to take in such a situation.

Verse 17 → “And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let
him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.”
It is at this point that the passage starts to become a little bit problematic for our application.
Very few churches follow these instructions exactly. [Many give a second or third chance.]
“tell it unto the church” → If the verse says “church”, is it not about our church today?
“church” → (ekklesia) assembly, congregation of people
Our church today is a Body of believers that are saved by grace, not under the Law
“saved by grace…unless you wrong me” → This does not sound like our gospel of grace.
“heathen” → (ethnikos) non-Jew, a pagan; “publican” → (telonace) tax collector, traitor
We can take wisdom from this, but understand that Jesus was speaking about the Jewish assembly.

Verse 18 → “Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and
whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Matthew 16:19 → The keys of the kingdom of heaven were given to Peter.
After Christ ascended, Peter served as the ambassador.
This verse once again spoke to Peter’s authority concerning entrance into the kingdom.
Without consideration of context, many build a doctrine that we can say who is and who isn’t saved.
Rarely is this ever beneficial. → [It does little good to speculate if someone is saved.]

Verse 19 → “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall
ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.”
“Again I say unto you” → Jesus is likely reiterating his statement in verse 18.
“earth” → (ghay) earth, ground, soil
“as touching” → (peri) from the base of paran = across, around, through, a place or time
From Context: “you” = disciples; “they/them” = children/those entering the kingdom
The disciples (specifically Peter) received the authority of the kingdom ambassador
This verse makes more sense when applied to the Jewish kingdom promise…
What if two people in our church agree on something, but two others do not?

Verse 20 → “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
What does Jesus mean? → Remember to always take scripture literally unless given reason not to.
Does it make sense for Jesus to be in the midst of them where two or three are gathered?
“gathered together” → (synago) gathered together [Synagogue = gathering together]
What if two are gathered in Jerusalem and two are gathered in Magdala?
This seems to make more sense in the context of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit was present within Israel in the days of Moses, but it was not necessarily inhabiting people.
Many Christians seem to have a double think theology pertaining to this verse.
They don’t draw the distinction between Israel and the Body of Christ.
They forget that the Holy Spirit dwells within the hearts of all believers.
Having multiple believers together does not cause the Holy Spirit to be in them.
Eph 3:14-17