Matthew 18:22
Jesus answered, "I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!
Jesus answered
In this passage, Jesus is responding to Peter's question about forgiveness. The context is a discussion on how many times one should forgive a brother who sins against them. Jesus' response emphasizes the importance of forgiveness in the Christian life, reflecting God's own forgiveness towards humanity. This sets the stage for a teaching moment that challenges the conventional limits of forgiveness.

I tell you
This phrase underscores the authority of Jesus' teaching. It is a common introduction in the Gospels when Jesus is about to reveal a significant truth or principle. It indicates that what follows is not merely a suggestion but a command or a divine principle that should be adhered to by His followers.

not just seven times
The number seven in Jewish culture often symbolizes completeness or perfection. Peter's suggestion of forgiving seven times might have seemed generous, as the traditional Jewish teaching often emphasized forgiving three times. By saying "not just seven times," Jesus is indicating that the standard of forgiveness is far beyond human expectations or cultural norms.

but seventy-seven times!
This phrase can also be translated as "seventy times seven," which would be 490 times. The exact number is less important than the principle it conveys: forgiveness should be limitless. This teaching reflects the boundless grace and mercy of God. It also connects to the Old Testament, where Lamech, a descendant of Cain, boasts of avenging himself "seventy-seven times" (Genesis 4:24). Jesus reverses this idea, promoting forgiveness instead of vengeance. This teaching aligns with the broader biblical narrative of redemption and grace, highlighting the transformative power of forgiveness in the life of a believer.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus
The central figure in this passage, Jesus is teaching His disciples about forgiveness.

2. Peter
One of Jesus' disciples who initiates the conversation by asking how many times he should forgive someone who sins against him.

3. Disciples
The group of followers who are present during this teaching, learning about the principles of forgiveness.

4. The Kingdom of Heaven
The broader context of Jesus' teaching in this chapter, emphasizing the values and principles of God's kingdom.

5. The Offender
The hypothetical person who sins against another, prompting the question of forgiveness.
Teaching Points
The Limitlessness of Forgiveness
Jesus' response to Peter emphasizes that forgiveness should not be limited or counted. The number "seventy-seven" symbolizes boundless forgiveness, reflecting God's infinite mercy.

Forgiveness as a Reflection of God's Character
As followers of Christ, we are called to mirror God's forgiving nature. Our willingness to forgive others demonstrates our understanding and acceptance of God's grace in our lives.

The Heart of Forgiveness
True forgiveness is not merely a legalistic act but a heartfelt decision to release resentment and seek reconciliation. It involves a transformation of the heart, aligning with the love and compassion of Christ.

Forgiveness and Community
In the context of the church, forgiveness fosters unity and peace. It prevents bitterness and division, promoting a healthy, loving community that reflects the kingdom of God.

Practical Forgiveness
Practically, forgiveness involves prayer, seeking God's help to let go of hurt, and sometimes, taking steps to restore relationships. It is an ongoing process that requires reliance on the Holy Spirit.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Jesus' teaching on forgiveness in Matthew 18:22 challenge our natural inclinations towards holding grudges or seeking revenge?

2. In what ways can we practically apply the principle of "seventy-seven times" forgiveness in our daily interactions with family, friends, and colleagues?

3. How does understanding God's forgiveness towards us, as described in Ephesians 4:32 and Colossians 3:13, empower us to forgive others?

4. What are some barriers to forgiveness that we might face, and how can we overcome them with the help of Scripture and prayer?

5. How does the concept of forgiveness contribute to the health and unity of a Christian community, and what role can we play in fostering a forgiving environment?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 4:24
This verse contrasts with Jesus' teaching by highlighting Lamech's boast of vengeance, which Jesus counters with a call for abundant forgiveness.

Ephesians 4:32
Paul encourages believers to forgive one another as God in Christ forgave them, echoing Jesus' teaching on forgiveness.

Colossians 3:13
This verse reinforces the call to forgive others, as the Lord has forgiven us, aligning with the principle Jesus teaches.

Luke 17:3-4
Jesus instructs His followers to forgive repeatedly, even if the offender repents multiple times in a day.

Matthew 6:14-15
Jesus teaches that forgiveness from God is linked to our willingness to forgive others, underscoring the importance of forgiveness in the Christian life.
Forgiven and UnforgivingAlexander MaclarenMatthew 18:22
The Christian Limit of ForgivenessR. Tuck Matthew 18:22
A Forgiving Spirit Essential to Vital ReligionB. W. Noel, M. A.Matthew 18:21-22
A Sensibility to Injury not SinfulJohn Trapp.Matthew 18:21-22
Forgive and ForgetArchbishop Secker.Matthew 18:21-22
ForgivenessA. Watson, D. D.Matthew 18:21-22
Forgiveness Awakens GratitudeMoore.Matthew 18:21-22
Forgiveness Must be Real and TrueBuxton Wilmot.Matthew 18:21-22
Forgiveness not a Matter of CalculationA. Watson, D. D.Matthew 18:21-22
Forgiveness of OffencesC. Hodge, D. D.Matthew 18:21-22
Injuries not to be Made PublicSimeon.Matthew 18:21-22
Limited ForgivenessMarcus Dods, D. D.Matthew 18:21-22
The Duty of ForgivenessDr. Dobie.Matthew 18:21-22
The Duty of Forgiving OffencesN. Schenck, . D. D.Matthew 18:21-22
The Duty of Unlimited ForgivenessW.F. Adeney Matthew 18:21, 22
The Forgiveness of InjuriesA. J. Griffith.Matthew 18:21-22
The Forgiveness of SiresJ. H. Evans, M. A.Matthew 18:21-22
The Offender the Greatest SuffererA. Watson, D. D.Matthew 18:21-22
The Superior Influence of ForgivenessMatthew 18:21-22
The Limits of MercyJ.A. Macdonald Matthew 18:21-35
The Unmerciful ServantMarcus Dods Matthew 18:21-35
People
Jesus, Peter
Places
Capernaum
Topics
Says, Seven, Seventy, Till
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Matthew 18:22

     1654   numbers, 11-99

Matthew 18:21-22

     5856   extravagance

Matthew 18:21-35

     1620   beatitudes, the
     5260   coinage
     6021   sin, nature of

Library
May 31. "Whosoever Therefore Shall Humble Himself as this Little Child" (Matt. xviii. 4).
"Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child" (Matt. xviii. 4). You will never get a humble heart until it is born from above, from the heart of Christ. For man has lost his own humanity and alas, too often has a demon heart. God wants us, as Christians, to be simple, human, approachable and childlike. The Christians that we know and love best, and that are nearest to the Lord, are the most simple. Whenever we grow stilted we are only fit for a picture gallery, and we are only good
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

The Lost Sheep and the Seeking Shepherd
If a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth Into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray!--MATT. xviii. 12. We find this simple parable, or germ of a parable, in a somewhat more expanded form, as the first of the incomparable three in the fifteenth chapter of Luke's Gospel. Perhaps our Lord repeated the parable more than once. It is an unveiling of His inmost heart, and therein a revelation of the very heart of God.
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Persistence of Thwarted Love
'If so be that he find it.'--MATT. xviii. 13. 'Until he find it.'--LUKE xv. 4. Like other teachers, Jesus seems to have had favourite points of view and utterances which came naturally to His lips. There are several instances in the gospels of His repeating the same sayings in entirely different connections and with different applications. One of these habitual points of view seems to have been the thought of men as wandering sheep, and of Himself as the Shepherd. The metaphor has become so familiar
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Forgiven and Unforgiving
'Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times; but, Until seventy times seven.' --MATT. xviii. 22. The disciples had been squabbling about pre-eminence in the kingdom which they thought was presently to appear. They had ventured to refer their selfish and ambitious dispute to Christ's arbitrament. He answered by telling them the qualifications of 'the greatest in the kingdom'--that they are to be humble like little children; that they are to be placable; that they are to use all means
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Law of Precedence in the Kingdom
'At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2. And Jesus called a little child unto Him, and set him in the midst of them, 3. And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5. And whoso shall receive one such little child in My name receiveth
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Six Sweeping Statements.
Jesus' own words make this very clear. There are two groups of teachings on prayer in those three and a half years as given by the gospel records. The first of these groups is in the Sermon on the Mount which Jesus preached about half-way through the second year of His ministry. The second group comes sheer at the end. All of it is in the last six months, and most of it in the last ten days, and much of that on the very eve of that last tragic day. It is after the sharp rupture with the leaders that
S. D. (Samuel Dickey) Gordon—Quiet Talks on Prayer

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xviii. 15, "If Thy Brother Sin against Thee, Go, Shew Him his Fault Between Thee and Him Alone;" And
1. Our Lord warns us not to neglect one another's sins, not by searching out what to find fault with, but by looking out for what to amend. For He said that his eye is sharp to cast out a mote out of his brother's eye, who has not a beam in his own eye. Now what this means, I will briefly convey to you, Beloved. A mote in the eye is anger; a beam in the eye is hatred. When therefore one who has hatred finds fault with one who is angry, he wishes to take a mote out of his brother's eye, but is hindered
Saint Augustine—sermons on selected lessons of the new testament

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xviii. 7, Where we are Admonished to Beware of the Offences of the World.
1. The divine lessons, which we have just heard as they were being read, warn us to gather in a stock of virtues, to fortify a Christian heart, against the offences which were predicted to come, and this from the mercy of the Lord. "For what is man," saith Scripture, "saving that Thou art mindful of him?" [2694] "Woe unto the world because of offences," [2695] saith the Lord; the Truth says so; He alarmeth and warneth us, He would not have us to be off our guard; for surely He would not make us desperate.
Saint Augustine—sermons on selected lessons of the new testament

The Forgiveness of Sins.
(Twenty-second Sunday after Trinity.) S. MATTHEW xviii. 28, "Pay me that thou owest." The Gospel shows us in a parable a picture of a king who called his servants to a reckoning. That King is the Lord God Almighty. We are His servants, and He calls us to account every day. All we possess we owe as a debt to God. Day by day He gives us our food, and supplies our wants by His good Providence. On every hour of our existence is written, Jehovah-Jireh--The Lord will provide. Day by day God takes
H. J. Wilmot-Buxton—The Life of Duty, a Year's Plain Sermons, v. 2

Fourth Day. Forgiveness of Injuries.
"Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."--Luke, xxiii. 34. Many a death-struggle has been made to save a friend. A dying Saviour gathers up His expiring breath to plead for His foes! At the climax of His own woe, and of human ingratitude--man-forsaken, and God-deserted--His faltering voice mingles with the shout of His murderers,--"Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do!" Had the faithless Peter been there, could he have wondered at the reply to a former
John R. Macduff—The Mind of Jesus

Lix. The Preacher and his Hearers.
22nd Sunday after Trinity. S. Matthew xviii. 23. "The kingdom of Heaven is likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants." INTRODUCTION.--I have been a good deal abroad, over the Continent of Europe, and whenever I am in a little country inn, I make a point of going into the room where the men are smoking and drinking wine or beer, and hearing their opinions on the politics of the day, and of their country. Now, my experience tells me that in country taverns in France, and
S. Baring-Gould—The Village Pulpit, Volume II. Trinity to Advent

The Wicked Servant
ST. MATTHEW xviii. 23. The kingdom of heaven is likened to a certain king, which would take account of his servants. This parable, which you heard in the Gospel for this day, you all know. And I doubt not that all you who know it, understand it well enough. It is so human and so humane; it is told with such simplicity, and yet with such force and brilliancy that--if one dare praise our Lord's words as we praise the words of men--all must see its meaning at once, though it speaks of a state of
Charles Kingsley—The Water of Life and Other Sermons

Meetings for Prayer.
Text.--"Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven."--Matthew xviii. 19. HITHERTO, in treating of the subject of Prayer, I have confined my remarks to secret prayer. I am now to speak of social prayer, or prayer offered in company, where two or more are united in praying. Such meetings have been common from the time of Christ, and even hundreds of years before. And it is probable
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion

The Necessity and Effect of Union.
Text.--Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth, as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.--Matthew xviii. 19. SOME weeks since, I used this text, in preaching on the subject of prayer meetings. At present I design to enter more into the spirit and meaning of the text. The evident design of our Lord in this text was to teach the importance and influence of union in prayer and effort to promote religion. He states the
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion

The Mission of Little Children
"And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them." Matthew xviii.2. Everything has its mission. I speak not now of the office which each part of the great universe discharges. I speak not of the relation between these parts,--that beautiful ordinance by which the whole is linked together in one common life, by which the greatest is dependent upon the least, and the least shares in the benefactions of the greatest. In this sense, everything has, strictly, its mission.
E. H. Chapin—The Crown of Thorns

False Ambition Versus Childlikeness.
(Capernaum, Autumn, a.d. 29.) ^A Matt. XVIII. 1-14; ^B Mark IX. 33-50; ^C Luke IX. 46-50. ^c 46 And there arose a reasoning among them, which of them was the greatest. ^b 33 And he came to Capernaum: ^c 47 But when Jesus saw the reasoning of their heart, ^b and when he was in the house [probably Simon Peter's house] he asked them, What were ye reasoning on the way? 34 But they held their peace: for they had disputed one with another on the way, who was the greatest. [The Lord with his disciples was
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Sin and Forgiveness Between Brethren.
(Autumn, a.d. 29.) ^A Matt. XVIII. 15-35. ^a 15 And if thy brother sin against thee, go, show him his fault between thee and him alone: if he hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. [Having warned against giving offense, Jesus now shows how to act when offense is received. The fault is to be pointed out to the offender, but for the purpose of gaining him--not from a desire to humiliate him. The offended is to seek the offender, and the offender is likewise to seek the offended (Matt. xv. 23, 24),
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Unmerciful Servant.
"Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved
William Arnot—The Parables of Our Lord

Jesus Christ, the Divine Teacher of Prayer
A friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him! He knocks again. "Friend! lend me three loaves?" He waits a while and then knocks again. "Friend! I must have three loaves!" "Trouble me not: the door is now shut; I cannot rise and give thee!" He stands still. He turns to go home. He comes back. He knocks again. "Friend!" he cries. He puts his ear to the door. There is a sound inside, and then the light of a candle shines through the hole of the door. The bars of
Edward M. Bounds—The Reality of Prayer

Fifteenth Lesson. If Two Agree
If two agree;' Or, The Power of United Prayer Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my Name, there am I in the midst of them.--Matt. xviii. 19, 20. ONE of the first lessons of our Lord in His school of prayer was: Not to be seen of men. Enter thy inner chamber; be alone with the Father. When He has thus taught us that the
Andrew Murray—With Christ in the School of Prayer

The Third Wall.
The third wall falls of itself, as soon as the first two have fallen; for if the Pope acts contrary to the Scriptures, we are bound to stand by the Scriptures, to punish and to constrain him, according to Christ's commandment; "Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation

Found
Gerhard Ter Steegen Matt. xviii. 12 O God, through Christ the living way, My Father and my God, So near, and I so far astray, Brought nigh Thee by His Blood. Myself, and this, and that, I sought Behind, around, before-- And yet the nearest found I not, Until I sought no more. O Love, Thou deep eternal tide, How dear are men to Thee! The Father's heart is opened wide By Jesus' Blood to me. It was Thyself, O God, who sought, With tender yearnings deep, The loveless sould who sought Thee not, The
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen, Suso, and Others

The School
Gerhard Ter Steegen Matt. xviii. 3 Where is the school for each and all, Where men become as children small, And little ones are great? Where love is all the task and rule, The fee our all, and all at school, Small, poor, of low estate? Where to unlearn all things I learn, From self and from all others turn, One Master hear and see? I learn and do one thing alone, And wholly give myself to One Who gives Himself to me. My task, possessing nought, to give; No life to have, yet ever live-- And ever
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen, Suso, and Others

Commentary on Matthew. Introduction.
According to Eusebius (H. E. vi. 36) the Commentaries on the Gospel of Matthew were written about the same time as the Contra Celsum, when Origen was over sixty years of age, and may therefore be probably assigned to the period 246-248. This statement is confirmed by internal evidence. In the portion here translated, books x.-xiv., he passes by the verses Matt. xviii. 12, 13, and refers for the exposition of them to his Homilies on Luke (book xiii. 29). Elsewhere, he refers his readers for a fuller
Origen—Origen's Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew

Links
Matthew 18:22 NIV
Matthew 18:22 NLT
Matthew 18:22 ESV
Matthew 18:22 NASB
Matthew 18:22 KJV

Matthew 18:22 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Matthew 18:21
Top of Page
Top of Page