Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 18:16

"But if he hear [thee] not, take with thee one or two more, that at the mouth of two witnesses or three every word may be established." — Matthew 18:16 (ASV)

If private confrontation does not work, the next step (backed by regulation regarding civil cases in Dt 19:15) is to take two or three witnesses. Jesus perceives a link joining his messianic community with ancient Israel. The function of the witnesses is likely to provide witnesses to the confrontation if the case were to go before the whole church. By the united testimony of two or three witnesses, every matter “may be established.”