Parables Of Jesus Christ: The Forgiven
by Wayne Blank

See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

A question about forgiveness by Peter:

"18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?" (Matthew 18:21 KJV)
In answer to Peter's question, the Messiah's parable of the forgiven:

"18:22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven." (Matthew 18:21 KJV)
"Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?"

All humans are sinners. It's even a sin to deny being a sinner i.e. "1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us" (1 John 1:9-10 KJV). Hence, Christ continued the parable:

Reaching Out
"18:23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 18:24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 18:25 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.
18:26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 18:27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt." (Matthew 18:23-27 KJV)

But what did the forgiven man then do? He hypocritically refused to forgive someone else, for, as it happened, an offense that was much less than the man himself had been forgiven - just as someone who may have been forgiven the death penalty, that all humans are subject to, thereafter refuses to forgive petty grievances against another human. In doing so, the hypocrite renders his own forgiveness void.

"18:28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
18:29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

18:30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 18:31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

18:32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 18:33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 18:34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

18:35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses." (Matthew 18:28-35 KJV)

Fact Finder: Why is compassion vital to genuine forgiveness?
See Compassion