Matthew 18:22

22 And Jesus said unto him, "I say not unto 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 in 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 And Jesus said unto him, "I say not unto thee, until seven times, but until seventy times seven.

23 "Therefore is the Kingdom of Heaven likened unto a certain king who would settle accounts with his servants.

24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him who owed him ten thousand talents.