NOTES for Luk 17:3-4

How many times is it necessary to forgive anybody doing us evil? What is the limits mercy and forgiveness can extend to? In other words, what measure for forgiveness will be enough? This question looks natural to people educated according to the law, that's why the followers give this question to Jesus. The Evangelist Matthew speaks in the 18th chapter of a similar question laid by Peter; evangelist Luke also delivers in today's reading the words of Jesus concerning sevenfold of forgiveness, not mentioning the question in Matthew. It is important to know that "seven" is a figure symbolizing any kind of plenitude in order to better understand what the Lord says, , and the followers of Jesus knew it very well.

The Lord rejects in essence the Jewish conception of the "measure" for forgiveness. Forgiveness, mercy, care to people (including those who hurt us), can never be sufficient. We have no possibility to stop forgiving under pretext that we have already made it many times. Jesus’ words tell us about it today "if trespasses seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again…, forgive". The words given by Matthew also testify about this “not… until seven times, but until seventy times seven”. In this, consists the precept of love towards enemies. Relationship between people does not build itself through the weighing of duties and forgivenesses. The Gospel considers in general the forgiveness of people as our duty, not towards people, but rather towards God - all the question is herein.

The Lord speaks very often about this. The most brilliant illustration can be His parable concerning the unmerciful lender, which He gave in answer to Peter's question to know how many times we should forgive. This is very important in the practical life, because it is difficult to accomplish Jesus’ words about the multiple and permanent forgivenesses. Besides, as the Lord Himself says “it is impossible for man”. Nevertheless if we forgive not with our own strength, not because it is necessary, to accomplish the commandments “clenching teeth”, and for our loyalty to God - independently of the one that we forgive, then it becomes for us a meeting with God Himself.

 Evangelist Luke passes on important but very difficult for translation words of Jesus concerning this. Before the precept to always forgive, the Lord tells his followers many times "take heed to yourselves" (it is the King James Version translation). The New American Standard Bible says “Be on your guard”, and the Vulgate gives “adtendite vobis”. Greek “prosehete heautois” contains two big nuances. This expression mainly means: “look after yourself, pay attention to yourself ". It is an appeal to reflection, to the analysis of our own acts, our own decisions and feelings. The Lord calls His followers to “fathom” themselves, so that forgiveness will not be for them a measured payment for people’s behaviors, but rather a meeting with God, acting in our life.

But this Greek expression quoted by evangelist has another nuance, not evading from Beatus Hieronymus and noticeable in translations following the Vulgate. We can try to communicate this nuance by the words “hold on, make efforts, get together". "Try hard" - here is what's really very important. Forgiveness that the Lord speaks about here is not a "state of the soul", as when we forgive ourselves. It is a work that requires concentration and efforts. When Christians say that the Church is Christ's army, it is exactly forgiveness which is the forward edge of the battle, where should participate this army. It is important that we pay attention to ourselves and always remember that forgiveness is not a payment that we bring to people, nor a sacrifice to God - forgiveness is a miracle that God accomplishes in us.