What Is the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant — In Biblical Context
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)
The Biblical Context
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.
Where It Sits in Scripture
The core passage for this question, Matthew 18:27, sits inside Matthew 18. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.
"Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt."
Supporting Passages
"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."
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