→ “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive
him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until
seventy times seven."
Peter's question is tied to Jesus's teaching on handling offenses. If a brother commits an offense but he admits his guilt, he is to be forgiven and brought back into their fellowship. His question to Jesus is a simple and logical one. More churches need to be asking the simple and logical questions. Incoherent doctrine and theology comes crumbling down when logical questions are asked.
Jesus's response to Peter is not to be carried out to its literal meaning. Within the context, he is explaining that they are to be abundant in forgiveness. What sense would it make to forgive someone 490 times, but refuse to forgive them the 491 times?
servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten
thousand talents."
Jesus then builds on this teaching through a parable. Verses 22 and 23 are tied together. Jesus did this often in his teaching. After teaching or giving new information, he would further explain it. This is an important reminder to not just read one verse, but to read the full context.
the church.
“account of his servant". The Greek word for “account" is the word “logos". In the context of the verse, the word primarily carries its most basic meaning, speech. In doing so, the king will also be able to see the embodiment of the servants person and ideals.
can see, this is a picture of men (specifically Israel) being in debt to God.
and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped
him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was
moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt."
The man could not pay his debt and, as a result, it would cost him everything he had including his wife and children. Oftentimes, the women and children would suffer at the hands of Israel's disobedience. Even today, women and children suffer because men have refused to acknowledge their debt to God.
The servant, in desperation, humbles himself before the king and begs for mercy and patience. The servant claims to find a way to pay the king what he owes. The servant gave the king his word.
In an act of pure grace, the king forgave the servant of all his debt. The king, a representation of God, can offer forgiveness whenever and to whomever he pleases. In this case, the king believed the words of the servant and chose to offer forgiveness. The king believed that the servant was true to his word.
pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And
his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will
pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt."
“pence" is “denarion" and is a very small amount. It would likely not even be quite $100 in today's currency. This scenario calls to mind the teaching Jesus gave in chapter seven verse three.
Just as the servant had done, this man begged for forgiveness. If such a small value was difficult for him to pay, he was likely very poor and had little.
However, the servant showed no kindness, compassion, or mercy. He immediately had him thrown in prison until he could pay the debt. It is unclear how he could do so, therefore this may be implying a life sentence.
lord all that was done. 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: Shouldest not thou also have had
compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?"
The king was made aware of the actions of the servant. While Jesus had to put this parable in a worldly example, God in his omnipotence will know the actions and hearts of the Jewish people. In chapter ten verse 26, Jesus explains that all wickedness and trespasses will be revealed.
The servant had received the full grace and mercy of the king. He had not earned or deserved the forgiving of his debt. However, the king freely chose to offer forgiveness. Instead of extending that grace to his fellowservant, the man had learned nothing and chose to only be concerned with his self interest.
The servant did not truly mean his words to the king. He had no change of heart. His confession of guilt was not genuine because he had no regard for the grace extended toward him. The servant did not hold the same values as his king. The Great Tribulation will be the true test of devotion for Israel. If someone does not hold to the principles and commandments of God, he will not withstand the trials.
him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not
every one his brother their trespasses."
The man was delivered over to be tormented until he could pay the unpayable debt. It would take eternity for a man to pay his debt to God. Humanity has a debt to God that we cannot pay. It takes an act of grace, faith, and mercy on behalf of God for man to be free of the debt.
It is essential to remember the context of the parable, it is about the kingdom of heaven. One of the essential requirements to enter the kingdom is forgiveness of others. Within the context, the act of forgiveness is being applied to those who confessed their offense. From Jesus's prior teaching on handling trespasses, it is difficult to build that this doctrine is to be applied to all people. If the servants never acknowledged their debt, they would have been unlikely to receive forgiveness.
Therefore, forgiveness is not a requirement that christians today must meet in order to be saved. Instead, it is a Godly virtue that we should practice and is good for our spiritual health. In chapter five verse 44, Jesus instructed the disciples to love their enemies. This principle would be good for us as well.
