Matthew 18:21

¶ Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

Then {G5119} came {G4334} Peter {G4074} to him {G846}, and said {G2036}, Lord {G2962}, how oft {G4212} shall my {G3450} brother {G80} sin {G264} against {G1519} me {G1691}, and {G2532} I forgive {G863} him {G846}? till {G2193} seven times {G2034}?

Then Kefa came up and said to him, "Rabbi, how often can my brother sin against me and I have to forgive him? As many as seven times?"

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

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

In Matthew 18:21, the Apostle Peter approaches Jesus with a practical, yet profound, question about the limits of forgiveness. Reflecting a common human tendency to set boundaries on grace, Peter asks, "Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?" This inquiry sets the stage for one of Jesus' most radical teachings on mercy and reconciliation.

Context

This verse is situated within a broader discourse by Jesus on community life, humility, and church discipline, immediately following His instructions on how to handle a sinning brother (Matthew 18:15-20). Peter's question arises naturally from the challenge of ongoing offense within the community. Rabbinic tradition at the time often suggested forgiving an offense three times. Peter, likely believing he was being exceptionally generous, doubles that number and adds one, proposing "seven times." This question directly precedes and sets the stage for the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:23-35), which vividly illustrates Jesus' answer.

Key Themes

  • The Nature of Forgiveness: Peter's question highlights the human desire to quantify and limit forgiveness. Jesus' subsequent answer (in Matthew 18:22) will shatter these limits, revealing forgiveness as an act of boundless mercy.
  • Relational Responsibility: The phrase "my brother sin against me" underscores the personal and communal impact of sin, emphasizing the importance of reconciliation in maintaining healthy relationships within the body of believers.
  • Grace Over Law: Peter's attempt to apply a numerical limit reflects a legalistic mindset. Jesus' teaching moves beyond mere adherence to rules, advocating for a spirit of radical grace that mirrors God's own character.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "forgive" is aphiēmi (ἀφίημι), which literally means "to let go," "send away," or "release." It is the same word used for the forgiveness of sins, implying a complete release from debt or obligation. Peter's question uses this term, underscoring that forgiveness is not merely overlooking an offense, but actively releasing the offender from the burden of their wrong, much as God releases us from our spiritual debt.

Practical Application

Peter's question remains highly relevant for believers today. It challenges us to examine our own hearts regarding forgiveness: Do we set limits? Do we keep a tally of wrongs? Jesus' teaching, initiated by this question, calls us to embrace a transformative understanding of forgiveness that is not contingent on the number of offenses, but on the depth of God's mercy shown to us. It encourages a spirit of humility, patience, and persistent love, reminding us that our capacity to forgive others is a reflection of our own experience of God's boundless forgiveness.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Luke 17:3

    Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

  • Luke 17:4

    And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

  • Matthew 18:15

    Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
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