Matthew 18:33

33 Shouldn't you have had pity on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?'

Matthew 18:33 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 18:33

Shouldest not thou also have had compassion.
&c.] It is but reasonable, what ought to be, and may be expected, that such who have received mercy, should show mercy; and as the Lord had compassion on this man, and had forgiven him such an immense sum, and saved him, his wife and children, from being sold for bondslaves, the least he could have done after this, would have been to have followed such an example, and have had mercy, as his Lord says to him,

on thy fellow servant;
between whom, and him, there was not so great a distance, as between him, and his Lord; and the sum so small that was owing to him, as not to be mentioned with his:

even as, I had pity on thee;
such an instance of pity and compassion did not only set him an example, worthy of his imitation, but laid him under an obligation to have acted such a part.

Matthew 18:33 In-Context

31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were extremely distressed; and they went and told their master every thing that had taken place.
32 Then the master summoned his servant and said, `You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt just because you begged me to do it.
33 Shouldn't you have had pity on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?'
34 And in anger his master turned him over to the jailers for punishment until he paid back everything he owed.
35 This is how my heavenly Father will treat you, unless you each forgive your brother from your hearts."
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.