So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.
Mt 18:21-35
VV. 21-22
Chapter 18 of Matthew contains teachings regarding life in the Church. In last Sunday’s gospel, Matthew gives instruction on what is to be done with an erring member of the Church. Peter now raises the question of sin between brothers, that is, between fellow Christians. Jesus says that there is no limitation in granting forgiveness. The individual Christian is in no position of authority to determine where to draw the line.
v. 22. Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.”
The numbers “seven” and “seventy-seven” are used in Genesis 4:24 regarding vengeance, which is the opposite of forgiveness which is being taught here.
The Greek word used may be rendered as “seventy times seven” and “seventy-seven times”. But the meaning is the same: unlimited forgiveness.
The motivation is explained in the next paragraph. What the disciple has to forgive is minute compared with what God has already forgiven him.
VV. 23-35. THE PARABLE OF THE UNFORGIVING OFFICIAL
This parable is found only in Matthew.
The section regarding the relations between Christians ends with this parable. A court official had been shown great mercy by the king. Yet this same official failed to show mercy to one of his equals over a much, much smaller matter.
Jesus says that this is the situation in which the disciples find themselves. God has forgiven them their sins which are innumerable. But at the last judgment this remission will be revoked, if they have not shown mercy to one another in the Church – not mercy in word, but “from the heart”, that is, in reality.
v. 23. That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants.
That is why = Therefore: This parable is linked to the answer given by Jesus to Peter regarding forgiveness. But probably the parable of the unforgiving official is not connected to the teaching of unlimited forgiveness because this is not the point of the parable. This parable probably belonged to the series of teachings regarding the last judgment. Cf. Mt 25:31ff.
The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king…. The judgment which comes before the kingdom begins is like the settling of accounts. Note the petitions on the kingdom and the forgiveness of sins in the Our Father (6:10. 12). See also the settling of accounts in the parable of the talents (25:19).
v. 24. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount.
A debtor was brought: The debtor was probably a governor of a province, re-sponsible for the payment of taxes. It is understood that he was brought from prison.
A huge amount: P 205,173,532.00
v. 25. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt.
The sale would not even realize a fraction of the debt owed. Therefore, it is a punishment.
v. 26. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’
It is clear that the official has no way of fulfilling this pledge. The point here is that the sin of man against God is a debt (16:12) which cannot be wiped out by man.
v. 27. Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan.
The king does not take up the pledge of repayment of the official. He forgives the debt completely.
For pity or compassion on the part of the king, see 9:16; 14:14; 15:32; 20:34.
The works of Jesus have been signs of this diving forgiveness.
v. 28. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe.’
A small amount: P 136,782.00. Compare this to P 205,173,532.00.
v. 29. Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’
The official repeats the request made by his fellow official before the king.
v. 30. But he refused. Instead, he had him put in prison until he paid back the debt.
Because the sum is too small, there is no question of selling the debtor. See 5:24ff.
v. 31. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair.
Probably “shocked” would be the better word. See 17:23.
v. 33. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?
The question asked of the official is really the question being asked of the hearers of the parable and which they have to answer for themselves.
v. 34. Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt.
Torturers: The official might have hidden part of the money.
Until he should pay back the whole debt: He will never be able to raise so large a sum. Therefore, his imprisonment will be for life.
v. 35. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.”
This is probably a Matthean application of the parable: God will revoke the remission of sins at the last judgment in the case of those who have not forgiven one another.
From his heart: Not merely in words but sincerely, really. See 15:8.
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