What Does Matthew 18:21-35 Say?

When you dive into the New Testament, you’ll find a passage in Matthew 18:21-35 that holds profound lessons on forgiveness.

Jesus’ teachings in this section provide clear guidance on how we should handle forgiveness, highlighting its importance in our daily lives.

Let’s unpack this passage to understand its full meaning and how it applies to us.

Context of Matthew 18:21-35

Before we delve into the verses themselves, it’s helpful to understand the context.

This passage is part of Jesus’ teachings to His disciples, where He addresses issues of humility, sin, and community living.

The overarching theme is about maintaining healthy, forgiving relationships within the Christian community.

The Question from Peter

The dialogue begins with Peter asking Jesus a question:

“Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” (Matthew 18:21, NIV).

Peter probably thought he was being generous.

The Jewish tradition suggested forgiving up to three times.

By offering to forgive up to seven times, Peter was essentially doubling the customary number and adding one for good measure.

Jesus’ Profound Response

Jesus’ answer is strikingly different from Peter’s expectation:

“I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (Matthew 18:22, NIV).

Some translations say “seventy times seven.”

Either way, Jesus wasn’t setting a literal limit but emphasizing that forgiveness should be limitless.

It’s not about keeping count but about developing a heart that’s ready to forgive continually.

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

To illustrate His point, Jesus tells the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant.

This story is a powerful metaphor for the kingdom of heaven and God’s expectations for us regarding forgiveness.

The King and His Servants

Jesus begins with a king who decides to settle accounts with his servants.

One servant owes him an astronomical amount:

“Ten thousand bags of gold” (Matthew 18:24, NIV).

In modern terms, this could equate to millions or even billions of dollars.

The point here is the impossibility of the debt being repaid.

The King’s Compassion

Faced with an unpayable debt, the servant begs for mercy:

“Be patient with me,” he begged, “and I will pay back everything.” (Matthew 18:26, NIV).

Moved by compassion, the king does the unimaginable:

“The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.” (Matthew 18:27, NIV).

This act represents God’s immense mercy towards us. No matter how large our “debt” of sin, God is willing to forgive when we come to Him in repentance.

The Servant’s Unforgiveness

Despite being shown incredible mercy, the servant immediately forgets this grace when dealing with a fellow servant who owes him a much smaller amount:

“He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.” (Matthew 18:28, NIV).

This debt was a hundred silver coins, a significant amount but trivial compared to what he owed the king.

The unforgiving servant refuses to extend the same mercy he received, demanding immediate repayment and having his fellow servant thrown into prison.

The Consequences

When the king learns of this, he is furious:

“You wicked servant, I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?” (Matthew 18:32-33, NIV).

In anger, the king hands him over to the jailers until he can pay back all he owes, a task he could never complete.

Jesus concludes with a sobering warning:

“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” (Matthew 18:35, NIV).

Lessons from the Parable

This parable is rich with lessons that apply to us today.

Here are some key takeaways:

1. God’s Forgiveness is Incomparable

The vast debt in the parable symbolizes our sins.

God’s willingness to forgive our insurmountable debt reflects His boundless grace.

Just as the king canceled the servant’s massive debt, God forgives our sins completely when we come to Him.

2. We Must Forgive Others Generously

The parable underscores the expectation that we extend the same forgiveness to others that we have received from God.

Holding grudges or demanding repayment when we’ve been forgiven so much goes against the very nature of God’s grace.

3. Forgiveness is Not Optional

Jesus’ message is clear: Forgiveness isn’t an optional act of kindness but a mandatory expectation for His followers.

We are to forgive “seventy-seven times,” meaning without limit.

4. Forgiveness Must Be from the Heart

It’s not enough to go through the motions of forgiveness.

True forgiveness must come from the heart.

This means letting go of bitterness and resentment, not just superficially saying “I forgive you.”

5. There are Consequences for Unforgiveness

The king’s severe punishment of the unforgiving servant illustrates that there are spiritual consequences to harboring unforgiveness.

We cannot expect to receive God’s mercy if we refuse to extend mercy to others.

Practical Steps to Embrace Forgiveness

Forgiveness is challenging, especially when we’ve been deeply hurt.

Here are some practical steps to help you cultivate a forgiving heart:

Reflect on God’s Mercy: Regularly remind yourself of how much God has forgiven you. This helps to keep things in perspective.
Pray for Help: Ask God to help you forgive. Sometimes, forgiveness requires divine assistance.
Let Go of the Offense: Release your grip on the hurt. Holding on to it only prolongs your pain.
Seek Reconciliation: When possible, try to mend relationships. This doesn’t mean you forget the hurt, but it’s about moving forward.
Practice Forgiveness Daily: Make forgiveness a regular part of your life. Don’t wait for big offenses; start with small ones.

Conclusion

Matthew 18:21-35 is a powerful reminder of the importance of forgiveness in the Christian life. Jesus teaches that forgiveness should be limitless, reflecting the boundless mercy God shows us.

By forgiving others from our hearts, we live out the grace we’ve received and align ourselves with God’s will.

Remember, forgiveness isn’t always easy, but it’s essential for spiritual health and harmony in our relationships.

So, the next time you’re faced with the challenge of forgiving someone, think about the immense debt God has forgiven you and extend that same grace to others.

FAQs: Understanding Matthew 18:21-35

Q: What is the main message of Matthew 18:21-35?

The primary message of Matthew 18:21-35 is about the importance of limitless forgiveness.

Jesus teaches that we should forgive others as many times as necessary, reflecting God’s boundless mercy toward us.

The parable of the Unforgiving Servant illustrates the need for us to forgive others from our hearts, just as God has forgiven our immense debts.

Q: Why did Peter ask Jesus how many times he should forgive someone?

Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive someone to understand the limits of forgiveness.

He suggested “up to seven times,” thinking it was generous compared to the traditional Jewish teaching of forgiving three times.

However, Jesus’ response to forgive “seventy-seven times” or “seventy times seven” emphasized that forgiveness should be limitless.

Q: What does Jesus mean by “seventy-seven times” or “seventy times seven”?

Jesus uses “seventy-seven times” or “seventy times seven” to signify that forgiveness should be without limit.

He wasn’t suggesting we count each instance of forgiveness but rather that we develop a habit of forgiving others endlessly, just as God does with us.

Q: What does the debt in the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant represent?

In the parable, the servant’s enormous debt represents our sins against God.

The amount is so large that it’s impossible to repay, symbolizing how we cannot atone for our sins by ourselves.

The king’s forgiveness of this debt illustrates God’s incredible mercy in forgiving our sins.

Q: Why did the servant refuse to forgive the smaller debt?

Despite being forgiven a massive debt, the servant refused to forgive a fellow servant’s smaller debt because he lacked gratitude and mercy.

This illustrates how we sometimes fail to extend the same grace to others that we’ve received from God, often because we forget the magnitude of the forgiveness we’ve been given.

Q: What does the king’s reaction to the unforgiving servant teach us?

The king’s reaction to the unforgiving servant shows the seriousness of harboring unforgiveness.

It demonstrates that while God is merciful, He expects us to mirror that mercy in our dealings with others.

The severe punishment reflects the spiritual consequences of failing to forgive others.

Q: How can I apply the teachings of this passage to my life?

To apply the teachings of Matthew 18:21-35, you can:

Reflect on the forgiveness you’ve received from God and let that inspire you to forgive others.
Pray for the strength and willingness to forgive, especially in difficult situations.
Release any grudges or bitterness you hold against others.
Seek reconciliation and peace in your relationships.
Practice forgiving small offenses daily to cultivate a forgiving heart.

Q: Is there a limit to how many times I should forgive someone?

According to Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 18:21-35, there is no limit to how many times you should forgive someone.

Forgiveness should be a continual practice, reflecting the endless forgiveness that God extends to us.

Q: What if someone keeps hurting me? How do I forgive them repeatedly?

Forgiving someone repeatedly can be challenging, especially if they continue to hurt you.

Remember that forgiveness is more about your own heart and well-being than the other person’s actions.

It’s important to set healthy boundaries to protect yourself while still choosing to forgive. Seek God’s help in finding the strength to forgive and maintain your peace.

Q: What should I do if I find it hard to forgive?

If you find it hard to forgive, try these steps:

Pray and ask God for help in softening your heart.
Reflect on the ways God has forgiven you.
Talk to a trusted friend or counselor for support and perspective.
Take small steps towards forgiveness, starting with minor offenses.
Remember that forgiveness is a process, not a one-time event. It’s okay to take time to heal.

Q: Can forgiveness really impact my spiritual life?

Yes, forgiveness can significantly impact your spiritual life.

Holding onto unforgiveness can hinder your relationship with God and others.

By practicing forgiveness, you align yourself with God’s teachings, experience inner peace, and maintain healthier relationships.