You’ve likely encountered it: a small prayer group convenes, attendance is sparse, time is short. To encourage those present, someone might quote Jesus’s comforting words about his presence when “two or three are gathered.” Or perhaps a modest gathering for worship begins with the same reassuring reference, invoking a sense of divine presence even in small numbers.
It’s undeniably comforting to believe in this promise, especially in intimate settings of faith. But did Jesus truly intend this verse as a blanket assurance for prayer or worship gatherings, regardless of size? Was this the promise he was actually making? And what is the real context of this often-quoted passage?
The verse in question, Matthew 18:20, reads: “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them” (NRSV).
However, delving into the surrounding verses reveals that this powerful statement is not about prayer meetings or Sunday services. Its true context is far more specific and, arguably, even more profound: conflict resolution within a faith community.
The Real Context: Matthew 18 and Conflict Resolution
The passage in Matthew 18, starting from verse 15 and extending to the end of the chapter (verse 35), is fundamentally about reconciliation and forgiveness. Jesus lays out a step-by-step process for addressing sin and discord within the community of believers.
He begins in verse 15 by instructing: “If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone.” This first step emphasizes private, direct communication between individuals in conflict. The goal is personal reconciliation through honest conversation and mutual listening.
Verse 16 continues: “But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses.” If the initial private conversation fails to bring resolution, Jesus advises escalating the process by involving a small group of mediators. This resonates with the Old Testament principle in Deuteronomy 19:15, which establishes the importance of multiple witnesses in legal matters to ensure truth and fairness.
It is within this framework of conflict resolution – addressing sin, seeking reconciliation, and involving witnesses – that Jesus makes the statement in verse 20: “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”
Therefore, the “two or three gathered” are not simply any small group, but specifically those gathered to facilitate reconciliation and mediate conflict within the church. Jesus’s promise is not about guaranteeing his presence at every prayer meeting, but assuring his active presence and guidance when believers engage in the challenging work of restoring relationships and addressing sin within their community.
From Conflict Resolution to Prayer Groups: The Misinterpretation
So how did this verse, clearly rooted in conflict resolution, become widely applied to prayer and worship gatherings, often used to comfort small groups? The shift in interpretation can be traced back through liturgical history, particularly to a mistranslation originating with the 1549 Book of Common Prayer.
Thomas Cranmer, seeking to incorporate a prayer from the Orthodox Eucharistic liturgy attributed to John Chrysostom into the Book of Common Prayer, encountered a Latin translation of the Divine Liturgy. The original Greek prayer actually referenced a promise related to agreement in prayer from verse 19 of Matthew 18 (“Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven”). This verse emphasizes the power of unified prayer within the context of the church’s authority to “bind and loose” – to discern and act on matters for the community’s well-being (verse 18).
However, the Latin translation, and subsequently Cranmer’s English translation, inadvertently substituted “gathered together” from verse 20 for “agree” from verse 19. This subtle but significant change shifted the focus from the agreement in prayer and communal discernment (verse 19) to the physical gathering of two or three (verse 20).
The 1979 Book of Common Prayer further solidified this misinterpretation by explicitly referencing verse 20 in a prayer: “you have promised through your well-beloved son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them.” This prayer, while beautiful, perpetuates the contextual error by applying a promise meant for conflict resolution to the general idea of God’s presence in small gatherings.
This historical journey reveals how a mistranslation and a shift in liturgical application led to the widespread, albeit inaccurate, understanding of Matthew 18:20 as a promise for prayer and worship gatherings.
Reclaiming the True Meaning and Embracing the Deeper Promise
Understanding the true context of “where two or three are gathered” is not about diminishing the comfort or encouragement people find in the verse. Instead, it enriches our understanding of Jesus’s multifaceted promises and highlights a critical aspect of Christian community: the commitment to reconciliation and conflict resolution.
Here are some key takeaways for moving forward:
-
Rethink the Application: While well-intentioned, it’s time to retire the misapplication of Matthew 18:20 to justify or comfort small prayer or worship groups. The verse simply wasn’t intended for that purpose. We don’t need to twist scripture to feel God’s presence in these settings.
-
Embrace the Power of Conflict Resolution: Reclaim Matthew 18:20 for its intended meaning. Recognize Jesus’s powerful promise of presence and guidance when we engage in the often difficult but essential work of conflict resolution within our faith communities. This verse is a source of strength and assurance when we step into challenging situations to restore relationships and address sin.
-
Trust in God’s Unfailing Presence: We don’t need to rely on a misinterpretation to believe in God’s presence in prayer and worship. Jesus offers a far broader and more encompassing promise at the conclusion of the Great Commission: “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). This promise assures us of Christ’s constant presence, regardless of group size or specific activity.
In conclusion, while the comforting misinterpretation of Matthew 18:20 has become ingrained in some traditions, understanding its true context reveals a deeper and equally powerful promise. It’s a promise of Jesus’s active presence in the messy, challenging, but ultimately redemptive work of conflict resolution within his church. Let us embrace this true meaning and trust in God’s unwavering presence in all aspects of our faith lives, both in times of conflict and in times of worship and prayer.
