Matthew 18:15–20 (ESV)
15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.
16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.
17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.
20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
In this passage, Jesus gives instructions for addressing sin between believers with the goal of repentance and reconciliation. However some groups have interpreted this passage to mean that wrongdoing cannot be acted upon unless there are two witnesses and that a victim must first confront the offender privately. Is that what Jesus is really teaching? In this discussion, explain the passage in its proper context, why it does not apply to criminal acts such as abuse or sexual assault, why victims should not be expected to confront an abuser alone, and why the absence of eyewitnesses does not mean a person is free from accountability.
This is an important passage, and it has unfortunately been misused in some settings. The key to understanding Matthew 18:15–20 is reading it in its context and asking, “What kind of situation is Jesus addressing?” He is giving instructions for church discipline among believers, not creating a criminal justice system or a rule that prevents victims from reporting crimes.
Matthew 18:15–20 in Context
Jesus says:
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone…” (Matthew 18:15)
The progression is:
- Go privately.
- If he refuses to listen, take one or two others.
- If he still refuses, tell it to the church.
- If he refuses even then, treat him as an unbeliever.
The goal throughout is repentance and restoration, not determining whether a crime occurred.
Notice that Jesus assumes:
- the offender is someone who can be approached safely,
- both parties are members of the believing community,
- the matter can potentially be resolved through repentance.
That is very different from situations involving abuse, sexual assault, child abuse, or other criminal acts.
This Is Not a Rule for Criminal Investigations
Jesus is not saying:
“Never report a crime unless there are two eyewitnesses.”
Nor is He saying:
“A victim must first confront the offender alone.”
Those ideas simply are not in the text.
Matthew 18 explains how Christians should pursue reconciliation when possible, not how governments investigate crimes.
In fact, God has established civil authorities to punish wrongdoing.
Paul writes:
“The governing authorities… are God’s servant… an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.” (Romans 13:1–4)
Reporting a crime to the police is not contrary to Matthew 18. It is allowing the authority God established to do its job.
What About “Two or Three Witnesses”?
Many groups appeal to verse 16:
“Every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.”
Jesus is quoting Deuteronomy 19:15.
But notice carefully what that Old Testament law meant.
It was about establishing a judicial case, not requiring two eyewitnesses to every sin.
The “two or three witnesses” can include:
- people who heard a confession,
- people who observed evidence,
- people who witnessed the confrontation,
- other corroborating testimony.
Even in the Old Testament, crimes were investigated. Courts did not simply say:
“No eyewitnesses? Case closed.”
Otherwise nearly every private crime would be impossible to prosecute.
Jesus Is Not Saying Secret Sins Cannot Be Addressed
If Matthew 18 meant that only witnessed sins count, then many sins Jesus Himself condemned could never be confronted.
For example:
- adultery committed in secret,
- theft done secretly,
- fraud,
- lying,
- abuse in private.
God repeatedly exposes hidden sins.
Jesus said:
“Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed.” (Luke 12:2)
God does not give secret sin immunity.
What About Sexual Assault?
Imagine a young woman assaulted by an elder.
Would Jesus really require her to:
- meet alone with the man who assaulted her,
- confront him privately,
- only afterward seek help?
That would place the victim in further danger.
Nothing in Matthew 18 commands someone to place themselves at risk.
Elsewhere Jesus teaches wisdom regarding danger (Matthew 10:16), and Scripture consistently protects the vulnerable rather than exposing them to additional harm.
A victim may instead:
- seek safety,
- tell trusted leaders,
- report the crime to police,
- obtain protection.
None of that violates Matthew 18.
The Purpose of the Private Conversation
Why does Jesus say to go privately?
Because many ordinary conflicts are misunderstandings.
Examples include:
- harsh words,
- personal offenses,
- gossip,
- broken promises,
- minor disputes.
Private confrontation protects someone’s reputation if the matter can be resolved quietly.
It is an act of love.
It is not a universal procedure for every possible wrongdoing.
Church Discipline Is Different from Criminal Justice
Churches have authority over fellowship.
Governments have authority over crime.
These are different responsibilities.
If someone steals church money:
- the church may discipline him,
- the police may prosecute him.
If someone sexually abuses a child:
- the church should remove him from leadership,
- the police should investigate him.
One does not replace the other.
The Error of Requiring Two Eyewitnesses
Some have argued that because no one witnessed abuse, no action can be taken.
That misunderstands both Scripture and justice.
Many crimes occur in private.
Modern courts regularly convict based upon:
- victim testimony,
- forensic evidence,
- admissions,
- electronic evidence,
- patterns of behavior,
- corroborating witnesses.
The Bible never teaches that only eyewitnesses count.
If it did, nearly every private assault would be beyond justice.
The Example of Jehovah’s Witness Policies
Some critics have argued that certain policies within Jehovah’s Witnesses have historically applied the “two witnesses” principle in ways that discouraged internal action on allegations of abuse when there was only one accuser. The organization has stated that it abhors child abuse, instructs elders to comply with reporting laws where required, and has revised aspects of its policies over time. Nevertheless, courts, government inquiries, and former members have criticized how the two-witness rule was applied in some cases involving abuse.
Whether discussing Jehovah’s Witnesses or any other church, the biblical question remains the same: Does Matthew 18 require victims to confront alleged abusers alone before seeking protection or reporting a crime? The text itself does not say that.
The Heart of Jesus’ Teaching
Matthew 18 teaches:
- pursue reconciliation when possible;
- confront ordinary personal sin graciously;
- involve others if there is persistent refusal to repent;
- maintain the purity of the church through loving discipline.
It does not teach:
- victims must endanger themselves;
- churches replace the police;
- secret crimes cannot be investigated;
- offenders go free unless there were two eyewitnesses;
- abuse allegations should be ignored because no one else saw it.
That interpretation imports ideas into the passage that Jesus never stated.
Instead, Matthew 18 is about restoring a sinning brother whenever possible, while the rest of Scripture also affirms that God has established civil authorities to investigate and punish wrongdoing (Romans 13:1–4). The passage should never be used as a shield to protect unrepentant abusers or to silence victims.
As always, we must read every passage in its context and interpret Scripture with Scripture, seeking the full counsel of God’s Word rather than building doctrine from a single verse. When we rightly divide the truth, the body of Christ is equipped to discern truth from error, recognize when Scripture is being twisted, and stand firm against the lies and schemes of the enemy. May we always test every teaching by God’s Word and remain faithful to what He has truly said.