Parable of the Unmerciful Servant: Matthew 18:21-35
by Owen Borville
August 8, 2019
Bible
Matthew 18:21-35 contains a description of Jesus' parable of the unmerciful servant, which explains a powerful message about forgiveness. Jesus told this parable as Peter asked Jesus about how many times should he forgive his brother for wrongdoing. Then Jesus told this parable:
The parable describes a servant who begged for forgiveness to his master about his debts. The master eventually forgave the servant and gave him more time to pay his master. However, this servant had a servant of his own that owed him money. This servant begged for mercy, but mercy was not given and the second servant was jailed for not paying his debt. When the first master heard about everything that happened, the master was angry and punished his servant severely and placed him in jail.
The parable is meant to represent the relationship between God, man, and a man's brother. If a man cannot forgive his brother of his debt, how does that man expect God to forgive him of his debt in terms of sin? If a man wants God's forgiveness, he must first forgive his brother (or family member) of their debt. A man must reconcile with his family members and be on good terms if the man wants God's forgiveness. Just as a man sins many times against God's teachings during his life, the man asks for forgiveness from God. Likewise, Peter's brother sinned against him many times but he was still obligated to forgive him of his sins.
by Owen Borville
August 8, 2019
Bible
Matthew 18:21-35 contains a description of Jesus' parable of the unmerciful servant, which explains a powerful message about forgiveness. Jesus told this parable as Peter asked Jesus about how many times should he forgive his brother for wrongdoing. Then Jesus told this parable:
The parable describes a servant who begged for forgiveness to his master about his debts. The master eventually forgave the servant and gave him more time to pay his master. However, this servant had a servant of his own that owed him money. This servant begged for mercy, but mercy was not given and the second servant was jailed for not paying his debt. When the first master heard about everything that happened, the master was angry and punished his servant severely and placed him in jail.
The parable is meant to represent the relationship between God, man, and a man's brother. If a man cannot forgive his brother of his debt, how does that man expect God to forgive him of his debt in terms of sin? If a man wants God's forgiveness, he must first forgive his brother (or family member) of their debt. A man must reconcile with his family members and be on good terms if the man wants God's forgiveness. Just as a man sins many times against God's teachings during his life, the man asks for forgiveness from God. Likewise, Peter's brother sinned against him many times but he was still obligated to forgive him of his sins.