The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant is a profound teaching of Jesus Christ, found in the Gospel of Matthew 18:21-35. This parable is a vivid illustration of the necessity of forgiveness and the consequences of harboring an unforgiving spirit. It is set within the context of Jesus' teachings on forgiveness and reconciliation among believers.

Context and Setting

The parable is introduced by a question from the Apostle Peter, who asks Jesus, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?" (Matthew 18:21). Jesus responds with a radical call to forgiveness, saying, "I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!" (Matthew 18:22). This response sets the stage for the parable, emphasizing the boundless nature of forgiveness expected of Christ's followers.

The Parable

In the parable, Jesus describes a king who wishes to settle accounts with his servants. One servant is brought before him who owes an astronomical debt of ten thousand talents, a sum so large that it is 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 for patience and promising to repay everything. Moved with compassion, the king forgives the debt entirely and releases him.

However, the account takes a dramatic turn when this same servant encounters a fellow servant who owes him a much smaller debt of a hundred denarii. Despite the fellow servant's pleas for patience, the unmerciful servant refuses to forgive the debt and has him thrown into prison until it can be repaid.

When the other servants witness this injustice, they report it to the king. The king, angered by the servant's lack of mercy, summons him and declares, "You wicked servant! I forgave all your debt because you begged me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had on you?" (Matthew 18:32-33). The king then hands the unmerciful servant over to the jailers to be tortured until he can repay all he owes.

Theological Significance

The parable concludes with Jesus' sobering warning: "So also My heavenly Father will do to each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart" (Matthew 18:35). This parable underscores the Christian imperative to forgive others as God has forgiven us. It highlights the vastness of God's mercy and the expectation that believers extend the same mercy to others.

The unmerciful servant's failure to forgive reflects a heart that has not truly grasped the magnitude of God's grace. The parable serves as a reminder that forgiveness is not merely a legalistic duty but a reflection of the transformative power of God's love in the believer's life. It calls Christians to embody the forgiveness they have received, fostering a community marked by grace and reconciliation.

Practical Application

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant challenges believers to examine their own hearts and attitudes towards forgiveness. It calls for a recognition of the immense debt forgiven by God and a commitment to extend that forgiveness to others, regardless of the perceived magnitude of their offenses. This parable encourages a lifestyle of grace, urging believers to reflect the character of Christ in their relationships and interactions.Matthew 18:23-35
Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened to a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Three Last Parables of the Per??an Series: the Unrighteous ...
... the most common in Jewish Parables, and occurs ... fully accords the instruction of Christ
to His ... this series closes - that of the Unmerciful Servant, [4693] can ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xix the three last.htm

The Unmerciful Servant.
... THE UNMERCIFUL SERVANT. ... Those parables do not afford material for the decision of
the ... is when they place themselves under the power of Christ's forgiving love ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/viii the unmerciful servant.htm

The Parables of the Kingdom.
... Lord spoke the Parable of "The Unmerciful Servant," teaching that ... Two other Parables
of "The Kingdom of Heaven" remain ... who profess the faith of Christ and have ...
/.../burbidge/the kingdom of heaven what is it/chapter iii the parables of.htm

The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah
... THREE LAST PARABLES OF THE PER??AN SERIES: THE UNRIGHTEOUS JUDGE - THE SELF-RIGHTEOUS
PHARISEE AND THE PUBLICAN - THE UNMERCIFUL SERVANT. CHAPTER XX. CHRIST'S ...
//christianbookshelf.org/edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/

The Structure of the Lord's Prayer
... So Christ taught in the previous chapter by His parable of ... the adversary; and in
the other parables of the ... Luke 7:41) and of the unmerciful servant (Matthew 18 ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the structure of the lords.htm

Index i. Of Subjects
... the ideal state in Messianic days, ii.438, 439. Parables of Christ, characteristics
of, and reasons for, i.579-586; ... the unmerciful servant, 293-297; ...
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Matthew.
... For Study and Discussion. (1) Some events of Christ's childhood,. ... (3) Ten Parables,.
(a) The Tares, 13:24-30. ... (c) The unmerciful servant.18:23-25. ...
/.../gerberding/the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter xxiv matthew.htm

Matthew.
... great commission and the promise of Christ's presence to ... 2. Ten Parables: the tares;
the hidden treasure; the ... draw-net (13:24-50); the unmerciful servant (18:23 ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 80 matthew.htm

Aaron, his Office no Palliation of his Sin, 61.
... Parables, lessons of, [291]96, [292]98; of the leaven ... Transfiguration, the, of Christ,
described, [441]100 ... Unmerciful servant, parable of the, [446]241, [447]278 ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/aaron his office no palliation.htm

The Two Debtors.
The Parables of Our Lord. ... She is a new creature in Christ Jesus; but she could not ...
that which appears in the parable of the unmerciful servant, is interesting. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/xvi the two debtors.htm

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