Matthew 18:20

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

For I am in the presence of two or three [disciples] wherever they are gathered in my name.”

Cross References

1 Corinthians 5:4

[I command you], when you people are assembled together, with my spirit [also present], in the name [i.e., by the authority] and power of our Lord Jesus,

Revelation 21:3

And I heard a loud voice from the throne [see 19:5] saying, “Look, the Tabernacle of God [i.e., God’s presence] is with people and He will live with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be among them {Some ancient manuscripts add the following phrase} “and will be their God.”

Matthew 28:20

[Then] go on teaching them [i.e., these new converts] to obey everything I have commanded you and my presence will be with you always, even to the end of the age.”

John 20:26

Eight days later [i.e., the following Sunday], Jesus’ disciples were inside [the house] again, [but this time] Thomas was with them. The doors were [still] closed when Jesus [suddenly] stood among them [See note on verse 19] and said, “May there be peace in your hearts.”

John 20:19

So, when it was evening on that day, [which was] the first day of the week [i.e., Sunday] and the doors [of someone’s house], where the disciples were gathered, were closed [i.e., probably locked] for fear of the Jewish authorities, Jesus came and stood among them. [Note: Probably Jesus passed through the closed door miraculously]. He said to them, “May there be peace in your hearts.”

Revelation 2:1

“Write [this] to the angel [i.e., the messenger] of the church at Ephesus [Note: These “messengers,” (verses 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14) are thought by some to be evangelists]: These things are the words of the One who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lamp stands:

Philemon 1:2

and to Apphia our sister [Note: This was probably Philemon’s wife], and to Archippus our fellow-soldier [Note: This was probably Philemon’s preacher son. See Col. 4:17] and to the church [that meets] in your house.

1 Thessalonians 1:1

[This letter is from] Paul, and Silvanus and Timothy, [and is being sent] to the church of the Thessalonians [Note: This was a town in present-day northeastern Greece] in [fellowship with] God, the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. May God’s unearned favor and peace be upon you.

John 8:58

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, before Abraham was born, I am.” [Note: The words “I am” were probably construed as a reference to being Deity. See Ex. 3:14].

Matthew 18:21

Then Peter came and said to Jesus, “Lord, how often must I forgive my brother when he sins against me? As many as seven times?”