Devine Scripture

Matthew 18:34

What does Matthew 18:34 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 18:34 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 18:34 means

In righteous anger, the king reversed his earlier mercy. He delivered the wicked servant to the 'tormentors'—likely jailers who would use harsh measures to extract payment—until the entirety of the original, massive debt was repaid. This signifies a profound judgment, implying a fate of torment until an impossible condition is met, underscoring the eternal consequences for those who refuse to extend forgiveness after receiving God's boundless grace. The full debt, previously forgiven, is now reinstated.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And his lord was very angry, and put him in the hands of those who would give him punishment till he made payment of all the debt.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And having been wroth, his lord delivered him to the inquisitors, till he might pay all that was owing to him;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And his lord being angry, delivered him to the torturers until he paid all the debt.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And his lord being angry delivered him to the tormentors till he paid all that was owing to him.

Context

This verse describes the king's wrath and severe judgment, which is the direct consequence of the wicked servant's failure to show mercy, despite the king's pointed question in verse 33. This dramatic reversal of fortune serves as the ultimate warning within the parable, immediately preceding Jesus' direct application of the parable's lesson to His disciples in verse 35, making the spiritual stakes absolutely clear.

v.33shouldest not thou also have had mercy on thy fellow-servant, even as I had mercy on thee?

v.34This passage

v.35So shall also my heavenly Father do unto you, if ye forgive not every one his brother from your hearts.

Cross references

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

  • Revelation 14:10

    he also shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is prepared unmixed in the cup of his anger; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

  • Luke 12:58

    For as thou art going with thine adversary before the magistrate, on the way give diligence to be quit of him; lest haply he drag thee unto the judge, and the judge shall deliver thee to the officer, and the officer shall cast thee into prison.

  • Matthew 18:30

    And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay that which was due.

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:8

    rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus:

  • Matthew 5:25

    Agree with thine adversary quickly, while thou art with him in the way; lest haply the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

  • James 2:13

    For judgment is without mercy to him that hath showed no mercy: mercy glorieth against judgment.

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