Matthew 18:21-35

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

21Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often awill my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? bAs many as seven times?” 22Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

23Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished cto settle accounts with his servants.
Greek bondservants; also verses 28, 31
24When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him eten thousand ftalents.
A  talent was a monetary unit worth about twenty years’ wages for a laborer
25 hAnd since he could not pay, his master ordered him ito be sold, with his wife and jchildren and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26So the servant
Greek bondservant; also verses 27, 28, 29, 32, 33
lfell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’
27And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and mforgave him the debt. 28But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred ndenarii,
A  denarius was a day’s wage for a laborer
and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’
29So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 pAnd should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 qAnd in anger his master delivered him to the jailers,
Greek torturers
suntil he should pay all his debt.
35 tSo also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother ufrom your heart.”

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