Matthew 18:20

For where two or three] Christ proceeds to give the reason why God will grant such prayers. It is that He Himself, the great Intercessor, is personally present in every worshipful assembly of Christians, and presents their prayers to the Father. The passage applies to private prayer-meetings, but is particularly true of assemblies of the Church. The small numbers (two or three) are mentioned to encourage the Christians of the first ages, who would often consist of a mere handful in the midst of a great heathen population. A convincing proof of Christ's divinity may be drawn from this promise, which is rendered all the more evident by a comparison with the Jewish sayings from which it is adapted, e.g. 'Whence is it certain that the Holy and Blessed God is present in the synagogue?' (From Psalms 82:1.) 'Whence is it certain that when ten persons are praying, the Divine Majesty is present?' (From the same passage.) 'Whence is it certain that the Divine Majesty is present when two are sitting and studying the law?' (From Malachi 3:16.)

21, 22. How often a brother is to be forgiven. A favourite subject for discussion among the rabbis. They taught generally that three offences were to be pardoned.