Matthew 18:22

22 Jesus says to him, I say not to thee until seven times, but until seventy times seven.

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 are gathered together unto my name, there am I in the midst of them.

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

22 Jesus says to him, I say not to thee until seven times, but until seventy times seven.

23 For this cause the kingdom of the heavens has become like a king who would reckon with his bondmen.

24 And having begun to reckon, one debtor of ten thousand talents was brought to him.