• Matthew 18:18
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 18 ᾿Αμὴν Amen λέγω I am saying ὑμῖν, to YOU, ὅσα as many (things) as ἐὰν if ever δήσητε YOU might bind ἐπὶ upon τῆς the γῆς earth ἔσται will be δεδεμένα (things) having been bound ἐν in οὐρανῷ heaven καὶ and ὅσα as many (things) as ἐὰν if ever λύσητε you might loose ἐπὶ upon τῆς the γῆς earth ἔσται will be λελυμένα (things) having been loosed ἐν in οὐρανῷ. heaven.

  • Matthew 18:18
    The Bible in Living English

    • 18 I tell you verily, such things as you declare unlawful on earth shall be declared unlawful in heaven, and such things as you declare lawful on earth shall be declared lawful in heaven.

  • Matthew 18:18
    The Emphasized Bible

    • 18 Verily I say unto you—Whatsoever things ye shall bind on the earth Shall be bound in heaven; And whatsoever things ye shall loose on the earth Shall be loosed in heaven.

  • Matthew 18:18
    King James Version

    • 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 Study Notes—Chapter 18
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 18:18

      whatever things you may bind . . . you may loosen: In this context, to “bind” evidently means to “view as guilty; find guilty,” and to “loosen” means to “acquit; find innocent.” The pronoun “you” is plural, indicating that not only Peter but also others would be involved in carrying out such decisions.​—Compare study note on Mt 16:19.

      will be things already bound . . . will be things already loosened: The unusual construction of the Greek verbs here (future form of “to be” combined with the perfect passive participle of “bind” and “loosen”) indicates that whatever decision was made by the disciples (“whatever things you may bind”; “whatever things you may loosen”) would be made after the corresponding decision was made in heaven. Any decision made by the disciples would follow heaven’s decision, not precede it, and the disciples would make decisions based on principles already laid down in heaven. It does not refer to heavenly support or validation of a decision made on earth. Instead, it means that the disciples would receive direction from heaven, highlighting the need for such guidance to ensure that the decisions made on earth harmonize with the decision that has already been made in heaven.​—Compare study note on Mt 16:19.