What Does '70 Times 7' Mean — Meaning Explained

Peter thought he was being generous when he asked, 'Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?' (Matthew 18:21). Rabbinical teaching suggested three times was sufficient. Jesus' response — 'seventy times seven' (Matthew 18:22) — was not a mathematical limit of 490 but a declaration that forgiveness is to be without limit. He then told the parable of the unforgiving servant, who was forgiven an unpayable debt of ten thousand talents (millions) by his master but then refused to forgive a fellow servant's tiny debt of a hundred pence. The master's response was severe: 'Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?' (Matthew 18:33). Jesus concluded, 'So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses' (Matthew 18:35). The point is clear: those who have been forgiven an infinite debt by God must forgive others without keeping score.