In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20). In order to properly understand this passage, we have to understand the surrounding context. It is never wise to try to understand a verse without first understanding the surrounding context.
Where Two or Three Are Gathered
While Jesus' words can be comforting to know that we do not need a huge amount of believers at one time in order for Him to be with us, these words can lead us to think that if we are by ourselves, Jesus is not with us.
This is of course an erroneous belief; however, if a person reads Matthew 18:20 by itself, most people would come to this conclusion. This is why it is vital for a person to understand the surrounding context to Matthew 18:20.
In most versions of the Bible, Matthew 18:20 is placed in the last paragraph before the parable of the unmerciful servant (Matthew 18:21-35). In order for Matthew 18:20 to be understood, one must read Matthew 18:15-20. Matthew 18:15-20 is discussing how to deal with sin in the church and church discipline.
Jesus says, “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses’” (Matthew 18:15-16).
The Lord then tells them that if the person still will not listen, they need to tell the church, and if they still will not listen to the church, they are to treat the individual as a “pagan or tax collector” (Matthew 18:17). Immediately after this, Jesus tells His disciples whatever they bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever they lose on earth will be lost in heaven (Matthew 18:18).
After Jesus speaks these words to His disciples, He says, “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:19-20).
When Jesus says, “Where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them,” He is not saying that we have to have two or three people present in order for the Lord to be with them. Jesus tells us we should pray by ourselves to Him (Matthew 6:6).
Is the Lord There with Them?
Christians do not have to always be with one another in order for the Lord to be with them. Whether you are alone or with people, Jesus is always with you (Hebrews 13:5). Matthew 18:20 is referring to church disciples and is echoing the same rule we see in the Old Testament.
Deuteronomy 19:15 says, “One witness is not enough to convict anyone accused of any crime or offense they may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” Jesus’ words in Matthew 18:20 reaffirm Deuteronomy 19:15. The same principle utilized in Deuteronomy is the same principle that should be laid down in the church (Ibid.).
When “two or three” Christians come together in Jesus’ Name as spoken in Matthew 18:20, the Lord is not talking about public prayer, a worship service, or a devotional time. The Lord is talking about church discipline as echoed from Deuteronomy 19:15 (Ibid.).
The “two or three” Christians who are gathered have already spoken to the Christian living in sin and addressed their sinful behavior. If the Christian chooses to not listen to the two or three other believers, the “two or three” gathered must take the matter before the church.
If the sinning Christian refuses to listen to the church, the individual should be treated as a pagan or tax collector, which means the church should not associate themselves with the individual. In the modern-day 21st century, this can be hard teaching.
Practically what Jesus is telling us is that if two or three believers in the church confront a sinning believer and tell them their need to repent of their sin and that individual chooses to not listen, the two or three believers need to take it before the entire church.
The church is supposed to reaffirm to the sinning believer their need to repent and turn away from the sin; however, if the sinning believer still refuses to listen, we should remove them from the church. Christians should not condemn others (Matthew 7:1); however, Christians are responsible to hold other believers accountable to live a godly lifestyle (Ibid.).
It is hopeful that simply with the two or three believers addressing the sinning Christians that the sinning Christian will repent. Why this verse does not say “where one is gathered…” is because just like in the Old Testament, one witness is “not enough to invoke any progress in a criminal case, but two or three witnesses made it valid” (Ibid.).
Therefore, if there are “two or three” gathered, their accusations would be valid because it is not based on one individual person. If only one person has witnessed the accused of sinning, it could be that this individual fabricated a story about the other person with the purpose of being deceitful.
This is why it is important for churches today to use this same methodology in their churches. Simply because one person may approach you with accusations about another believer in the church does not mean their accusation is true. Gossip is rampant in the world today, thus, it is vital to be skeptical of what you hear.
However, if there are two or more people who come before you with the same accusation against a person, it is time to address the individual as Jesus tells us in Matthew 18:20. If the individual chooses to not repent before the two or three believers and the body of the church, the individual should be treated as a “pagan or tax collector.”
It can be hard for a pastor, deacon, or elder to do this, but Jesus promises to be “with us” when we have to make these decisions (Ibid.). However, Christians should never judge or condemn a person as we are called to love one another just as God loves us.
It is extremely plausible that after the individual has been confronted by the two or three Christians or the church that they will become sorrowful and turn to repentance (Galatians 6:1-2). The purpose of Jesus’ words in Matthew 18:20 is trying to gear the sinning Christian to become sorrowful and turn back to His grace (Ibid.).
What Does This Mean?
Jesus is always with us — whether we are alone or with others. However, Jesus specifically tells us He is with us where “two or three are gathered” for church discipline in order to give strength to those who are confronting the sinning Christian. It is the goal of the church to help the individual turn back to God, not to condemn them.
As Christians, we are called to love one another always. Thus, Matthew 18:20 is discussing church discipline and it is true that where “two or three are gathered” in Jesus’ Name for church discipline, He is with them. Yet for prayer and worship, you can be alone or with many people.
For further reading:
What Is the Biblical Way to Confess to One Another?
Is the Lord with Me When I Can’t?
What Does it Mean ‘The Spirit of the Lord Is Upon Me’?
What Does it Mean to Be a Member of the Church?
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