Refuses to listen (Good News Translation “will not listen”) translates a different Greek verb from the one used in verse 16. The verb used here appears elsewhere in the New Testament only in Mark 5.36, and it may mean either “overhear” (intentionally or accidentally) or “refuse to listen to.” Most English translations do not distinguish between the two verbs, though Moffatt has “will not listen … refuses to listen,” and Phillips has “will not listen … won’t pay attention.”

Tell it to the church is the third and final step in attempting to reconcile a brother who has gone astray. In Greek the verb tell is not accompanied by a direct object, and so An American Translation translates “tell the congregation,” and Moffatt “tell the church.” Most languages, however, will require the express mention of an object, which is represented by it in a number of English translations (Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New International Version, New American Bible). Some translations are more specific: “report the matter to the congregation” (New English Bible), “tell the matter to the church” (Phillips), and “report the whole trouble…” (Barclay). Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch has “bring the matter before the church.”

For a discussion of church, see 16.18.

And if … even (so also New English Bible, New International Version) is translated “Finally, if” by Good News Translation in order to indicate that the last and most drastic step is now to be taken with regard to the brother.

Let him be to you as is translated “treat him as though he were” by Good News Translation. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch renders “then deal with him as”; New English Bible is similar to Good News Translation: “you must then treat him as you would.”

Gentile (Good News Translation “pagan”) is found twice elsewhere in this Gospel (5.47; 6.7) and once elsewhere in the New Testament (3 John 7). See comments at 5.47. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch has “unbeliever.”

For tax collector, see comment at 5.46.

We offered several ways to express these two terms in the discussions at 5.46 and 47. Since they occur together here, “tax collectors and other unbelievers” may be natural.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .