The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
Matthew 18:21-35 NIV
Matthew 18:21-22
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.’”
In Rabbinic teachings back in Jesus day it was acceptable to forgive the same sin up to 3x, however, should the same sin be committed a 4th time there was to be no forgiveness given. So Peter felt he was being generous by offering up forgiveness 7x, however, Jesus stated that they were to forgive 70x7 times. This shouldn’t be taken literally, for it represents a limitless number of times we are to forgive others. We should also keep in mind that we’ve been forgiven far more than we would ever need to forgive. In this case we’re talking about personal sins against a brother or sister in Christ and not forgiveness that is equal to redemption for all sins ever committed by an individual. Only God can do that.
That brief conversation leads us to Jesus’ next lesson which involves an unmerciful servant. A King’s servant owed him 10,000 bags of gold. The King ordered him to sell off all he had to pay his debt. The servant begged for mercy, insisting that he would pay back every penny if only the King would be patient with him. The servant’s master took pity on him and forgave the entire debt, then sent him on his way.
That same servant came across a fellow servant who owed him 100 silver coins. The servant demanded the man pay him what he owed him. When the man refused the servant, showing no mercy whatsoever, had him thrown in jail. When the King heard about this, he called for the servant whose debt he had forgiven and punished him for his lack of mercy toward a fellow servant for a much, much smaller amount owed him. The King reinstated his original debt and turned him over to the jailers who were to torture him until the debt was repaid.
In verse 35 Jesus explains this parable. Essentially, what Jesus is saying here is the amount of mercy and forgiveness you show your brethren is the same amount God will show you. This calls to mind the ‘Golden Rule’ which states, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12 NIV) If you want to be forgiven by others, forgive others and do it without conditions placed upon that forgiveness. Also, do it without any hesitation or regret. Amen. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.
In his name & for his glory,
Richard Keller
Bread of Life Ministries
Resource: Expositor's Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): New Testament, Copyright 2004.
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