Topical Encyclopedia In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus presents the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, a profound narrative that illustrates the virtue of pity and the necessity of forgiveness. This parable is found in Matthew 18:21-35 and serves as a powerful teaching on the kingdom of heaven and the expectations of mercy among believers.The account begins with Peter asking Jesus how many times he should forgive his brother who sins against him, suggesting "up to seven times?" (Matthew 18:21). Jesus responds, "I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!" (Matthew 18:22), indicating that forgiveness should be limitless. The parable describes a king who wishes to settle accounts with his servants. One servant is brought to him who owes an astronomical debt of ten thousand talents, a sum impossible to repay. The king orders that the servant, along with his family and possessions, be sold to repay the debt. The servant falls on his knees, pleading, "Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything" (Matthew 18:26). Moved by compassion, the master of that servant releases him and forgives the debt entirely. This act of pity is central to the parable, highlighting the king's merciful nature and his willingness to absolve an insurmountable debt out of sheer compassion. The Greek word used for "pity" in this context is "σπλαγχνίζομαι" (splagchnizomai), which conveys a deep, visceral compassion. However, the narrative takes a turn when the forgiven servant encounters a fellow servant who owes him a much smaller amount, a hundred denarii. Despite having just been shown immense mercy, the forgiven servant seizes his fellow servant and demands repayment. When the fellow servant pleads for patience, echoing the earlier plea, the unforgiving servant refuses and has him thrown into prison. When the other servants witness this injustice, they report it to the master. The master summons the unforgiving servant and rebukes him, saying, "You wicked servant! I forgave all your debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had on you?" (Matthew 18:32-33). In his anger, the master delivers the unforgiving servant to the jailers until he can repay all he owes. This parable underscores the expectation that those who have received mercy must also extend mercy to others. The master’s initial act of pity is a reflection of divine grace, illustrating God's boundless compassion and forgiveness towards humanity. The unforgiving servant's failure to emulate this pity serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of harboring an unforgiving heart. In the broader context of Christian teaching, this parable emphasizes the importance of embodying Christ-like compassion and forgiveness. Believers are called to reflect the mercy they have received from God in their interactions with others, recognizing that forgiveness is not merely a duty but a reflection of the transformative power of divine grace. Nave's Topical Index Matthew 18:27Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. Nave's Topical Index Library The Lord's Prayer The Shortest Way to God. The Figurative Language of Scripture. Sermons on Selected Lessons of the Gospels. Forgiveness Made Easy The Epistle of St. James Homilies on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians. Resources What does the Bible say about empathy? | GotQuestions.orgIf Jesus is our atonement, why did He die at Passover instead of the Day of Atonement? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about toxic relationships? | GotQuestions.org Pity: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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