What Is the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant?
What Is the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant? The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant warns that those who refuse to forgive others after receiving God's vast forgiveness will face His judgment.
Key verse: Matthew 18:27 (KJV)
The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant warns that those who refuse to forgive others after receiving God's vast forgiveness will face His judgment.
The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant warns that those who refuse to forgive others after receiving God's vast forgiveness will face His judgment.
"Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt." — Matthew 18:27 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
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Related Verses
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The Biblical Answer
In Matthew 18:21-35, Peter asks how often he must forgive — up to seven times? Jesus answers, 'Not unto seven times: but, Until seventy times seven,' and tells this parable. A king brings his servants to account. One owes ten thousand talents — an unimaginable sum. When he begs for mercy, the king forgives the entire debt. That same servant then finds a fellow servant who owes him a hundred pence — a trifle by comparison — and has him thrown in prison for inability to pay. When the king hears this, he is angry: 'Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?' He delivers the unmerciful servant to the tormentors. The lesson is unmistakable: God's forgiveness of our infinite debt demands that we forgive the comparatively small debts others owe us.
Topic Overview
What Does the Bible Say About Forgiveness?
What the Bible teaches about forgiving others, receiving God's forgiveness, and letting go of bitterness.
Key Scripture References
"Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt."
"Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?"
"So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
What Is the Parable of the Prodigal Son?
The Parable of the Prodigal Son is Jesus' story of a wayward son who demanded his inheritance, squandered it, and was welcomed home by his forgiving father.
What does the Bible say about forgiveness?
The Bible teaches that God freely forgives those who repent and that believers must forgive others as they have been forgiven — not seven times, but seventy times seven.
What Is Repentance?
Repentance is a genuine change of mind and heart about sin, turning away from it and toward God.
What Is the Passion of Christ?
The Passion of Christ refers to the suffering, crucifixion, and death of Jesus — the events that secured salvation for all who believe.
What Is Palm Sunday?
Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem one week before His resurrection, when crowds waved palm branches and cried 'Hosanna!'
Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
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The answer above sits inside Matthew. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Matthew on day 284 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “What Is the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
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