Matthew 18:22

22 Jesus saith to him, I say not to thee, till seven times; but till seventy times seven times.

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 For where twain or three be gathered in my name, there I am in the middle of them. [For where two or three be gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them.]

21 Then Peter came to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I shall forgive him? Whether till seven times?

22 Jesus saith to him, I say not to thee, till seven times; but till seventy times seven times.

23 Therefore the kingdom of heavens is likened to a king, that would reckon with his servants.

24 And when he began to reckon, one that owed to him ten thousand talents, was brought to him [+one was brought to him, that owed to him ten thousand bezants, or talents].