Matthew 18:33

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

Complete Jewish Bible:

Shouldn't you have had pity on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?'

Berean Standard Bible:

Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had on you?’

American Standard Version:

shouldest not thou also have had mercy on thy fellow-servant, even as I had mercy on thee?

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Shouldest^{G1163} not^{G3756} thou^{G4571} also^{G2532} have had compassion^{G1653} on thy^{G4675} fellowservant^{G4889}, even^{G2532} as^{G5613} I^{G1473} had pity^{G1653} on thee^{G4571}?

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Matthew 18:33

Matthew 18:33 is part of a parable Jesus tells in response to Peter's question about forgiveness. The verse reads, "Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?" This statement comes at the climax of the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, which is found in Matthew 18:21-35.

In the parable, a king decides to settle accounts with his servants. One servant owes the king an enormous sum of money, which he cannot repay. The servant pleads for mercy, and the king, moved by compassion, forgives the entire debt. However, that same servant then goes out and demands payment from a fellow servant who owes him a much smaller amount. When the fellow servant pleads for patience, the first servant refuses and has him thrown into prison.

The other servants are disturbed by this injustice and report the situation to the king. The king then confronts the unforgiving servant, reminding him of the mercy shown to him and questioning why he did not extend the same compassion to his fellow servant. The king revokes his mercy and hands the unforgiving servant over to the jailers until he can repay his entire debt.

Jesus concludes the parable with a stern warning: "So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses." The historical context of this teaching reflects the Jewish understanding of forgiveness and justice, emphasizing the importance of mercy and the expectation that one should treat others as one has been treated by God.

The themes of the verse and the larger passage include the necessity of forgiveness, the reciprocity of mercy, and the consequences of withholding forgiveness. Jesus teaches that since God has forgiven us a debt we could never repay (our sins), we are equally bound to forgive others. The verse underscores the principle of treating others with the same mercy and compassion that we have received from God, highlighting the ethic of reciprocity central to Jesus' teachings.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1163
   There are 104 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δεῖ
   Transliteration: deî
   Pronunciation: die
   Description: 3rd person singular active present of δέω; also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is (was, etc.) necessary (as binding):--behoved, be meet, must (needs), (be) need(-ful), ought, should.
   
2. Strong's Number: G3756
   There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οὐ
   Transliteration: ou
   Pronunciation: ookh
   Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
   
3. Strong's Number: G4571
   There are 179 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: σέ
   Transliteration: sé
   Pronunciation: seh
   Description: accusative case singular of σύ; thee:--thee, thou, X thy house.
   
4. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
5. Strong's Number: G1653
   There are 28 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐλεέω
   Transliteration: eleéō
   Pronunciation: el-eh-eh'-o
   Description: from ἔλεος; to compassionate (by word or deed, specially, by divine grace):--have compassion (pity on), have (obtain, receive, shew) mercy (on).
   
6. Strong's Number: G4675
   There are 360 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: σοῦ
   Transliteration: soû
   Pronunciation: soo
   Description: genitive case of σύ; of thee, thy:--X home, thee, thine (own), thou, thy.
   
7. Strong's Number: G4889
   There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: σύνδουλος
   Transliteration: sýndoulos
   Pronunciation: soon'-doo-los
   Description: from σύν and δοῦλος; a co-slave, i.e. servitor or ministrant of the same master (human or divine):--fellowservant.
   
8. Strong's Number: G5613
   There are 433 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὡς
   Transliteration: hōs
   Pronunciation: hoce
   Description: probably adverb of comparative from ὅς; which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows):--about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed.
   
9. Strong's Number: G1473
   There are 334 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐγώ
   Transliteration: egṓ
   Pronunciation: eg-o'
   Description: a primary pronoun of the first person I (only expressed when emphatic):--I, me. For the other cases and the plural see ἐμέ, ἐμοί, ἐμοῦ, ἡμᾶς, ἡμεῖς, ἡμῖν, ἡμῶν, etc.