Matthew · Chapter 18 · Prayer
Matthew 18:20 — Bible Verse Meaning & Context
Read this verse slowly. Let it settle before you move on.
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Both translations, side by side
WEB · World English Bible
"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the middle of them.”"
KJV · King James Version
"For1063 where3757 two1417 or2228 three5140 are1526 gathered together4863 in1519 my1699 name3686, there1563 am I1510 in1722 the midst3319 of them846."
How the translations differ: The WEB is a modern public-domain revision of the 1901 ASV; the KJV dates to 1611. The KJV uses midst, while the WEB renders these as middle. Both translate the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text — the differences are stylistic, not theological.
In context
Matthew 18:20 in Matthew 18
A Bible verse rarely stands alone. Here is Matthew 18:20 read with the verses immediately before and after — the surrounding flow of Matthew 18. Read the full chapter →
- v.18 Most certainly I tell you, whatever things you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever things you release on earth will have been released in heaven.
- v.19 Again, assuredly I tell you, that if two of you will agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask, it will be done for them by my Father who is in heaven.
- v.20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the middle of them.”
- v.21 Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?”
- v.22 Jesus said to him, “I don’t tell you until seven times, but, until seventy times seven.
Book background
About the Book of Matthew
- Testament
- New Testament
- Genre
- Gospel
- Author
- Matthew (Levi), tax collector turned apostle
- Date written
- c. 50–70 AD
- Audience
- Primarily Jewish Christians
- Chapters
- 28
Matthew presents Jesus as the long-awaited King in the line of David, structuring his Gospel around five major teaching blocks — most famously the Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5–7). He repeatedly shows how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecy. The Great Commission (28:18-20) closes the book.
Setting: Written to demonstrate Jesus as Israel's promised Messianic King.
Key themes: kingdom of heaven · fulfillment · discipleship · authority · mission
Memorisation aid
How to memorise Matthew 18:20
Matthew 18:20 contains 19 words in 2 clauses. Learn one clause at a time, then chain them. The first-letter mnemonic (FLM) under each clause is a memory hook — once you can speak the FLM from memory, the full clause follows.
- 1
For where two or three are gathered together in my name
FWTOTA
- 2
there I am in the middle of them.”
TIAITM
Frequently asked
FAQ about Matthew 18:20
What does Matthew 18:20 say?
Matthew 18:20 reads: "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the middle of them.”" — from the New Testament, Matthew (Gospel). The full verse is shown above with both the World English Bible (WEB) and King James Version (KJV) translations side by side.
What book of the Bible is Matthew 18:20 in?
Matthew 18:20 is in the book of Matthew, traditionally attributed to Matthew (Levi), tax collector turned apostle and written around c. 50–70 AD. Matthew is gospel in the New Testament, originally addressed to Primarily Jewish Christians. Best known for the Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes.
What is Matthew 18:20 about?
Matthew 18:20 is primarily a Bible verse about Prayer. Within Matthew, Matthew presents Jesus as the long-awaited King in the line of David, structuring his Gospel around five major teaching blocks — most famously the Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5–7). Read the full passage above with surrounding context.
What is the difference between Matthew 18:20 in WEB and KJV?
Matthew 18:20 in the World English Bible (WEB) reads: "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the middle of them.”". The King James Version (KJV) reads: "For1063 where3757 two1417 or2228 three5140 are1526 gathered together4863 in1519 my1699 name3686, there1563 am I1510 in1722 the midst3319 of them846.". The WEB is a modern public-domain translation that updates the KJV's 1611 English while keeping a similar formal-equivalence style. Both render the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text.
How long is Matthew 18:20?
Matthew 18:20 is 19 words in the WEB translation (91 characters), broken into 2 clauses. It is short and well-suited to memorisation. Estimated reading time is about 6 seconds.
How can I memorise Matthew 18:20?
To memorise Matthew 18:20, split it into its 2 natural clauses and learn one at a time. Repeat the full verse out loud five times, then write it from memory. Saving the verse as a photo wallpaper using our verse image studio helps daily review — the visual association with a memorable background dramatically improves recall.
Why does Matthew 18:20 matter in Matthew?
Matthew presents Jesus as the long-awaited King in the line of David, structuring his Gospel around five major teaching blocks — most famously the Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5–7). He repeatedly shows how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecy. The Great Commission (28:18-20) closes the book. Matthew 18:20 sits within this larger story — Matthew as a whole emphasises kingdom of heaven, fulfillment, discipleship.
How can I apply Matthew 18:20 today?
Many readers use Matthew 18:20 as a daily reminder verse — saving it as a phone wallpaper, sharing it on Pinterest, or memorising it for prayer. The verse studio on this page lets you download Matthew 18:20 on 52 different backgrounds for free. Pair the verse with the surrounding chapter context shown above to understand its full meaning before applying it.
More designs
10 verses to read next
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Philippians 4:6-7
“In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which sur…”
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Matthew 7:7
““Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you.”
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2 Chronicles 7:14
“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, will fo…”
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Matthew 6:9
“Pray like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.”
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James 5:16
“Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective.”
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James 5:14-15
“Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the assembly, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the pra…”
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Psalms 19:14
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, Yahweh, my rock, and my redeemer.”
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Psalms 34:4
“I sought Yahweh, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.”
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Psalms 51:10
“Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me.”
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Jeremiah 33:3
“‘Call to me, and I will answer you, and will show you great things, and difficult, which you don’t know.’”
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Matthew 6:33
“But seek first God’s Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.”
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Matthew 11:28
““Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.”
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Matthew 6:34
“Therefore don't be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day's own evil is sufficient.”
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Matthew 7:7
““Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you.”
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