Matthew 18:22

22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times! ^[a]

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 two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them.”

21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!

23 Because of this, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.

24 As he began the settlements, a debtor owing ten thousand talents was brought to him.

Footnotes

• [a] Or seventy times seven; see Genesis 4:24 LXX