Devine Scripture

Matthew 18:22

What does Matthew 18:22 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 18:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 18:22 means

Jesus immediately corrected Peter's limited understanding of forgiveness, radically expanding it beyond any calculable measure. 'Seventy times seven' is not a literal count, but an idiomatic expression signifying unlimited, continuous, and absolute forgiveness. It means that believers are called to forgive without keeping score, reflecting God's own boundless grace towards them. This command demands a complete transformation of heart, moving beyond mere obligation to a spirit of unwavering pardon.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times; but, Until seventy times seven.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times; but, Until seventy times seven.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Jesus says to him, I say not to you, Till seven times; but, Till seventy times seven.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Jesus saith to him, `I do not say to thee till seven times, but till seventy times seven.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Jesus saith to him: I say not to thee, till seven times; but till seventy times seven times.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Jesus says to him, I say not to thee until seven times, but until seventy times seven.

Context

This verse is Jesus' direct and radical answer to Peter's question in verse 21. By rejecting a numerical limit and proposing 'seventy times seven,' Jesus establishes an entirely new, boundless standard for forgiveness among believers. This challenging command then immediately introduces the parable of the unforgiving servant, which illustrates the profound implications and necessity of such unlimited forgiveness based on God's own mercy.

v.21Then came Peter and said to him, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? until seven times?

v.22This passage

v.23Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, who would make a reckoning with his servants.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Isaiah 55:7

    let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto Jehovah, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

  • Matthew 6:11

    Give us this day our daily bread.

  • Ephesians 4:26

    Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

  • Colossians 3:13

    forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye:

  • Mark 11:25

    And whensoever ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any one; that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

  • Micah 7:19

    He will again have compassion upon us; he will tread our iniquities under foot; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

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