Matthew 18:33

33 did it not behove also thee to have dealt kindly with thy fellow-servant, as I also dealt kindly with thee?

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 `And his fellow-servants having seen the things that were done, were grieved exceedingly, and having come, shewed fully to their lord all the things that were done;
32 then having called him, his lord saith to him, Evil servant! all that debt I did forgive thee, seeing thou didst call upon me,
33 did it not behove also thee to have dealt kindly with thy fellow-servant, as I also dealt kindly with thee?
34 `And having been wroth, his lord delivered him to the inquisitors, till he might pay all that was owing to him;
35 so also my heavenly Father will do to you, if ye may not forgive each one his brother from your hearts their trespasses.'
Young's Literal Translation is in the public domain.