NOTES for Mat 18:21-35
21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? |
22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. |
23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. |
24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. |
25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. |
26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. |
27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. |
28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. |
29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. |
30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. |
31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. |
32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: |
33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? |
34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. |
35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. |
Hide
After reading the first two verses, the temptation arises to make a quick calculation: seven times seventy is four hundred ninety; this brother of mine has been sinning against me every day for two years, so the credit has long been exhausted and everything is in order; I no longer have to forgive.
It is clear that the Lord uses seven times seventy as a symbol: not simply of fullness, which the number seven signifies, but of a kind of infinite fullness. To forgive up to seven times seventy means here continually, always. Jesus unfolds this thought in the parable that follows this episode: if we do not show mercy to others, we thereby refuse God's mercy toward us as well. The words "So also My heavenly Father will do to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart" remind us that every attempt of ours to reshape the Bible in our own way, so that it becomes convenient and undemanding, can end in nothing good. Do you want the number of forgivable sins to be limited? Then you want that limitation not only for your neighbor, but also for yourself.
Readings for 8 May 2025
After registering, you can subscribe to any Bible reading plan. Personalized settings and other services for registered users are planned, so we recommend registering now. Registration is free. | ||
