Matthew 18:22

22 dicit illi Iesus non dico tibi usque septies sed usque septuagies septies

Matthew 18:22 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 18:22

Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee
Which is as if he had said, observe what I am about to say, I do not agree to what thou sayest to fix the number, "until seven times only", but

until seventy times seven;
a certain number for an uncertain, see ( Genesis 4:24 ) . Christ's meaning is, that a man should be all the days, and every day of his life, forgiving those that sin against him, as often as they repent and acknowledge their fault; and that no time is to be set for the exercise of the grace of forgiveness; but as often as there are objects and occasions, though ever so many and frequent, it should be used; and which he illustrates by the following parable.

Matthew 18:22 In-Context

20 ubi enim sunt duo vel tres congregati in nomine meo ibi sum in medio eorum

21 tunc accedens Petrus ad eum dixit Domine quotiens peccabit in me frater meus et dimittam ei usque septies

22 dicit illi Iesus non dico tibi usque septies sed usque septuagies septies

23 ideo adsimilatum est regnum caelorum homini regi qui voluit rationem ponere cum servis suis

24 et cum coepisset rationem ponere oblatus est ei unus qui debebat decem milia talenta