Matthew 18:22

22 "I do not say seven times," answered Jesus, "but seventy times seven times.

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 there are two or three assembled in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

21 At this point Peter came to Him with the question, "Master, how often shall my brother act wrongly towards me and I forgive him? seven times?"

22 "I do not say seven times," answered Jesus, "but seventy times seven times.

23 "For this reason the Kingdom of the Heavens may be compared to a king who determined to have a settlement of accounts with his servants.

24 But as soon as he began the settlement, one was brought before him who owed 10,000 talents,