Matthew 18:21

21 Then Peter having come near to him, said, `Sir, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him -- till seven times?'

Matthew 18:21 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 18:21

Then came Peter unto him
Having heard and observed the rules Christ gave concerning offences and brotherly reproofs, he drew near to Christ, and put this question to him:

and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I
forgive him?
He instances in a brother, because it was such an one Christ had been speaking of; he makes no doubt of its being his duty to forgive him upon his repentance, and acknowledgment, but wanted to be reformed, how often this was to be done, and asks, whether

until seven times?
Which was, as he might think, a large number; and especially, since it was double the number of times, that the Jewish doctors set for forgiveness: for thus they say ^F4,

``A man that commits a sin, the "first" time they pardon him; the "second" time they pardon him; the "third" time they pardon him: the "fourth" time they do not pardon, according to ( Amos 2:6 ) ( Job 33:29 ) .''

Again,

``he that says I have sinned, and I repent, they forgive him "unto three times", and no more ^F5.''

---

FOOTNOTES:

F4 T. Bab. Yoma, fol. 36. 2. Mainion. Hilch. Teshuba. c. 3. sect. 5.
F5 Abot. R. Nathan, c. 40. fol. 9. 3.

Matthew 18:21 In-Context

19 `Again, I say to you, that, if two of you may agree on the earth concerning anything, whatever they may ask -- it shall be done to them from my Father who is in the heavens,

20 for where there are two or three gathered together -- to my name, there am I in the midst of them.'

21 Then Peter having come near to him, said, `Sir, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him -- till seven times?'

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

23 `Because of this was the reign of the heavens likened to a man, a king, who did will to take reckoning with his servants,