16:19, intended to signify “the Church’s … given right to allow or withhold forgiveness of sins.”13 But elsewhere Matthew seems to say that Jesus expected his followers to forgive those who offended them without need for special authorization or benefit of clergy: Matt 5:23–26; 6:12–15; 18:21–35. Matt 18:18 may refer to forgiving sins committed against someone else, though nothing in the context so indicates. If in Matthew’s mind 18:18 went with 18:15–17, the passage more likely refers to the church’s