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.

MATTHEW 18:16KJV
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Matthew 18:16 (KJV)

What does Matthew 18:16 mean?

Matthew 18:16 says that if someone will not listen to you privately when you try to resolve a problem, you should bring one or two other people with you so that everything said can be confirmed by witnesses. This is meant to make sure that the situation is handled fairly and openly, not just based on one person's word.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to His disciples about how to deal with conflict or wrongdoing within their community. The instruction follows a step-by-step approach: first, try to resolve things privately; if that fails, involve others as witnesses. The idea comes from an Old Testament principle that important matters should be established by two or three witnesses, making the process more trustworthy and less likely to be unfair or one-sided.

The Greek behind Matthew 18:16

  • στόμα (stoma, "mouth"): The phrase "in the mouth of two or three witnesses" uses the Greek word for "mouth," which is a common way in ancient language to refer to spoken testimony. This highlights the importance of what is actually said and heard, not just assumptions or rumors.
  • μάρτυς (martys, "witnesses"): The word for "witnesses" refers to people who can confirm what happened. In the legal and community life of ancient Israel and the early church, having witnesses was crucial for fairness and truth.
  • ἵνα (hina, "that"): This word signals purpose or result, showing that the goal of bringing witnesses is to "establish" every word — to make sure the facts are clear and agreed upon.

Why Matthew 18:16 matters

  • Matthew 18:16 shows that Jesus values fairness and careful process when dealing with conflict, not quick accusations or secret judgments.
  • This verse connects to a broader biblical principle found in Deuteronomy 19:15, showing continuity between Jesus’ teaching and Jewish law.
  • It helps prevent misunderstandings or false accusations by requiring more than one person's testimony, protecting both the accused and the accuser.

Where else these words appear

“witnesses” Greek G3144 · used in 34 verses

  • Matthew 26:65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.
  • Acts 10:41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
  • 1 Timothy 5:19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

“take” Greek G3880 · used in 50 verses

  • Matthew 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
  • Mark 5:40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.
  • Acts 16:33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

“if” Greek G3362 · used in 59 verses

  • Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
  • John 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
  • Acts 15:1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

“three” Greek G5140 · used in 60 verses

  • Matthew 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
  • Luke 12:52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
  • Acts 28:17 And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.