Matthew 18:22

22 Iesus sayd vnto him: I saye not vnto the seven tymes: but seventy tymes seven tymes.

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 thre are gathered togedder in my name there am I in the myddes of them.

21 Then came Peter to him and sayde: master howe ofte shall I forgeve my brother yf he synne agaynst me seven tymes?

22 Iesus sayd vnto him: I saye not vnto the seven tymes: but seventy tymes seven tymes.

23 Therfore is ye kingdome of heven lykened vnto a certayne kynge which wolde take a countis of his servauntis.

24 And when he had begone to recken one was broughte vnto him whiche ought him ten thousande talentis: