Matthew 18:28

KJV

But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took [him] by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} the same {G1565} servant {G1401} went out {G1831}, and found {G2147} one {G1520} of his {G846} fellowservants {G4889}, which {G3739} owed {G3784} him {G846} an hundred {G1540} pence {G1220}: and {G2532} he laid hands {G2902} on him {G846}, and took him by the throat {G4155}, saying {G3004}, Pay {G591} me {G3427} that {G3748} thou owest {G3784}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"But as that servant was leaving, he came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him some tiny sum. He grabbed him and began to choke him, crying, `Pay back what you owe me!'

Berean Standard Bible

But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe me!’

American Standard Version

But that servant went out, and found one of his fellow-servants, who owed him a hundred shillings: and he laid hold on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay what thou owest.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 18:28 marks a shocking turn in the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, immediately following the master's magnanimous cancellation of an astronomical debt. Having just been freed from an impossible burden, the servant exits his master's presence only to encounter a fellow servant who owes him a comparatively minuscule sum. Rather than extending the same grace he had just received, he violently seizes his debtor, demanding immediate repayment, thereby revealing a profound and tragic lack of compassion and an utter failure to grasp the nature of the mercy shown to him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment within Jesus' Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, recorded in [Matthew 18:23-35](/matthew/18-23-35 "The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant"). The parable itself is Jesus' direct response to Peter's question in [Matthew 18:21](/matthew/18-21 "Peter's Question about Forgiveness"), "Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?" Jesus' answer, "I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven," sets the stage for the parable, which vividly illustrates the boundless nature of divine forgiveness and the corresponding human obligation to forgive. Immediately prior to this verse, the servant had been forgiven an unpayable debt of "ten thousand talents" by his king ([Matthew 18:24-27](/matthew/18-24-27 "The King Forgives the Servant's Debt")), a sum so vast it represented many lifetimes of labor, underscoring the king's immense grace. The servant's subsequent actions in [Matthew 18:28](/matthew/18-28 "The Unforgiving Servant") directly contradict the mercy he just experienced.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting of the parable reflects the economic and social realities of the ancient Near East. Debt was a common and serious matter, often leading to indentured servitude or imprisonment for those unable to pay. A "denarius" (rendered as "pence" in KJV) was a common silver coin, representing a day's wage for a laborer, making "an hundred pence" a sum equivalent to about three months' work. While not insignificant, it paled in comparison to "ten thousand talents," which was an astronomical, virtually unpayable sum, perhaps representing the annual tribute of an entire region or even a nation's treasury. The act of "taking him by the throat" (Greek: _pnígō_) was a vivid and aggressive gesture of seizing a debtor, often preceding imprisonment or physical coercion, highlighting the servant's brutal and unyielding demand for justice.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 18:28 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the parable and the broader Gospel of Matthew. The most prominent theme is **forgiveness**, contrasting the boundless mercy of God (represented by the king's forgiveness of the "ten thousand talents" debt in [Matthew 18:27](/matthew/18-27 "The King's Compassion")) with the severe lack of human compassion. It also highlights the theme of **hypocrisy and ingratitude**, as the servant, having received immeasurable grace, immediately refuses to extend even a fraction of that grace to another. The **disproportionate nature of debts**—the "ten thousand talents" owed to the king versus the "hundred pence" owed to the servant—is central, emphasizing the vastness of God's forgiveness toward humanity compared to the relatively minor offenses humans commit against each other. This verse serves as a stark warning against an **unforgiving spirit**, illustrating how a heart hardened by self-interest can negate the transformative power of received grace, a warning powerfully echoed in the parable's conclusion in [Matthew 18:35](/matthew/18-35 "The Parable's Stern Warning").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **servant (Greek, _doûlos_):** This term refers to a slave, bond-man, or one in subjection or subserviency. In this context, it emphasizes the absolute dependence of the individual on the master. The servant's status as _doûlos_ underscores his complete indebtedness and his master's absolute authority, making his subsequent unforgiving actions all the more egregious given his position of utter dependence and recent experience of profound mercy.
* **pence (Greek, _dēnárion_):** Derived from Latin, this word denotes a denarius, a Roman silver coin equivalent to a day's wage for a common laborer. "An hundred pence" thus represents approximately 100 days' wages, a significant sum for an individual but utterly trivial when compared to the "ten thousand talents" (a talent was roughly 6,000 denarii, making 10,000 talents equal to 60,000,000 denarii). The stark contrast highlights the servant's disproportionate reaction and the vast difference between the debt he owed God and the debt owed to him.
* **took him by the throat (Greek, _pnígō_):** This vivid verb means "to wheeze," "to throttle," or "to strangle." It conveys a violent, suffocating grip, emphasizing the merciless and aggressive nature of the servant's demand for payment. This physical act of aggression stands in stark contrast to the king's compassionate and unconditional release of the servant's immense debt just moments before, underscoring the servant's hardened heart and lack of empathy.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But the same servant went out":** This clause immediately highlights the servant's swift departure from the presence of the king who had just shown him extraordinary mercy. The conjunction "But" (G1161, _dé_) signals a sharp contrast between the king's action and the servant's subsequent behavior. His "going out" signifies a transition from a place of grace to a place where he must now demonstrate (or fail to demonstrate) that grace to others.
* **"and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence":** The servant's encounter is not with a stranger, but with a "fellowservant" (G4889, _sýndoulos_), someone who shares the same master and presumably the same experience of dependence. The debt of "an hundred pence" (G1540, _hekatón_ G1220, _dēnárion_) is explicitly stated, setting up the crucial contrast with the "ten thousand talents" (G3461, _mýrioi_ G5007, _tálanton_) he had just been forgiven. This immediate encounter tests the servant's understanding and application of the mercy he received.
* **"and he laid hands on him, and took [him] by the throat, saying":** This phrase describes the servant's aggressive and violent reaction. "Laid hands on him" (G2902, _kratéō_) implies seizing or retaining with force, while "took him by the throat" (G4155, _pnígō_) is a graphic depiction of physical assault and intimidation, suggesting a suffocating grip. This brutal action reveals the servant's merciless and unyielding demand for his due, devoid of any compassion or patience.
* **"Pay me that thou owest.":** This direct command (G591, _apodídōmi_ G3784, _opheílō_) is a stark, unyielding demand for immediate repayment. It demonstrates the servant's complete focus on his own rights and what is owed to him, rather than on the overwhelming grace he had just received. The contrast between this demand and the king's earlier cancellation of the servant's debt is the core of the parable's message.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 18:28 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. **Irony** is central, as the servant, having just received an unimaginable act of mercy, immediately turns around to show none to another. This creates a profound sense of moral incongruity. **Contrast** is also a key device, vividly displayed in the vast disproportion between the "ten thousand talents" owed to the king and the "hundred pence" owed to the servant, highlighting the immeasurable difference between God's grace and human offenses. The phrase "took him by the throat" is a striking piece of **Imagery**, painting a visceral picture of the servant's aggressive and merciless nature, emphasizing the physical and emotional violence of his demand. This imagery serves to shock the listener and underscore the severity of his unforgiving heart. Finally, the entire passage functions as a **Parable**, a narrative designed to teach a profound spiritual truth about the nature of forgiveness and the Kingdom of Heaven.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly underscores the theological truth that those who have received great mercy are obligated to extend mercy. The servant's actions reveal a fundamental misunderstanding of the grace he received; he treated the king's forgiveness as a transaction that freed him, rather than a transformative experience that should compel him to forgive others. The parable teaches that divine forgiveness is not merely a legal pardon but a call to embody a new way of life characterized by compassion and generosity. Our capacity and willingness to forgive others become a reflection of our grasp of God's forgiveness towards us. To withhold forgiveness from a fellow human, especially for a comparatively minor offense, demonstrates a heart that has not truly been softened by the immeasurable grace of God, and it places one in a precarious spiritual position, as the parable's conclusion makes clear.

* [Colossians 3:13](/colossians/3-13 "Forgive as the Lord Forgave You")
* [Ephesians 4:32](/ephesians/4-32 "Be Kind and Forgiving")
* [Luke 6:36-37](/luke/6-36-37 "Be Merciful, Judge Not")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 18:28 serves as a potent mirror for self-reflection, challenging believers to honestly assess their own hearts regarding forgiveness. It forces us to confront the hypocrisy that can arise when we readily accept God's boundless grace for our own immense spiritual debt, yet struggle to extend even a fraction of that grace to those who have wronged us in comparatively minor ways. The servant's swift turn from recipient of mercy to dispenser of harsh judgment is a sobering warning against a transactional view of forgiveness, where God's grace is seen as a personal benefit rather than a transformative power that reshapes our character to reflect His own. True forgiveness, modeled by Christ, is not contingent on the other person's worthiness but flows from the overflow of the mercy we have received. This verse calls us to cultivate a heart of compassion, remembering the magnitude of our own pardon and allowing that gratitude to fuel our willingness to release others from their debts, both real and perceived.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "debts" do I hold against others, and how do they compare to the "ten thousand talents" of grace I have received from God?**
* **How does my willingness (or unwillingness) to forgive others reflect my understanding and appreciation of God's forgiveness in my own life?**
* **In what ways might I be "taking someone by the throat" in my own relationships, demanding what is "owed" to me rather than extending mercy?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the "ten thousand talents" versus "an hundred pence" in this parable?**

Answer: The contrast between "ten thousand talents" and "an hundred pence" is crucial to understanding the parable's message. A talent was an enormous unit of currency, equivalent to about 6,000 denarii (a day's wage). Thus, ten thousand talents represented 60,000,000 denarii, an astronomical, virtually unpayable sum—far more than any individual could ever earn in a lifetime. It symbolizes the immeasurable debt of sin that humanity owes to God. In stark contrast, "an hundred pence" (100 denarii) represented about 100 days' wages, a significant but manageable sum. This smaller debt symbolizes the offenses and wrongs that people commit against each other. The vast disproportion highlights the infinite magnitude of God's forgiveness toward us compared to the relatively minor offenses we are called to forgive in others. It underscores that our capacity to forgive others should be a natural overflow of the boundless forgiveness we have received from God.

**Why did the servant act so cruelly immediately after receiving such immense forgiveness?**

Answer: The servant's cruel actions immediately after being forgiven reveal a profound spiritual blindness and a lack of genuine transformation. His heart remained hardened and self-centered, despite experiencing extraordinary grace. He likely viewed the forgiveness he received as a personal benefit or a lucky break, rather than a transformative act that should change his own character and actions. He failed to internalize the spirit of mercy and compassion demonstrated by the king. His immediate pursuit of his fellow servant for a paltry sum demonstrates that he had not truly grasped the depth of his own indebtedness or the radical nature of the king's grace. This illustrates a critical spiritual principle: true reception of God's forgiveness should lead to a heart that is eager and willing to extend forgiveness to others, as seen in [Ephesians 4:32](/ephesians/4-32 "Be Kind and Forgiving").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 18:28, within the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "ten thousand talents" debt, an unpayable sum, powerfully prefigures the immeasurable spiritual debt of sin that humanity owes to a holy God. No human effort or good deed could ever repay this debt. It is Christ, the true King and Master, who, through His sacrificial death on the cross, paid this infinite debt in full, as articulated in [Colossians 2:13-14](/colossians/2-13-14 "Christ Forgives Our Sins"). He did not merely defer our debt but utterly canceled it, nailing the certificate of debt to the cross. Therefore, just as the king in the parable forgave the servant out of sheer compassion, so too does God, through Christ, extend boundless mercy to us, not because we earned it, but because of His great love ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "God Demonstrates His Love")). The servant's failure to forgive his fellow servant stands in stark contrast to Christ's own example, who not only forgave His persecutors from the cross ([Luke 23:34](/luke/23-34 "Jesus Forgives His Persecutors")) but also commands and empowers His followers to extend that same radical, unmerited forgiveness to others, reflecting the very character of God ([Matthew 6:14-15](/matthew/6-14-15 "Forgive Others to Be Forgiven")). The parable thus calls us to live as those who have been profoundly forgiven by Christ, manifesting His mercy in our daily interactions.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 20:2

And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

Ezekiel 45:9

¶ Thus saith the Lord GOD; Let it suffice you, O princes of Israel: remove violence and spoil, and execute judgment and justice, take away your exactions from my people, saith the Lord GOD.

Deuteronomy 15:2

And this [is] the manner of the release: Every creditor that lendeth [ought] unto his neighbour shall release [it]; he shall not exact [it] of his neighbour, or of his brother; because it is called the LORD'S release.

Nehemiah 10:31

And [if] the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the sabbath day to sell, [that] we would not buy it of them on the sabbath, or on the holy day: and [that] we would leave the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt.

Isaiah 58:3

¶ Wherefore have we fasted, [say they], and thou seest not? [wherefore] have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.

Nehemiah 5:10

I likewise, [and] my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money and corn: I pray you, let us leave off this usury.

Nehemiah 5:11

Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundredth [part] of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them.