Matthew 18:28

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.

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}.

"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!'

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!’

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.

Matthew 18:28 (KJV) describes a pivotal moment in the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, illustrating the stark contrast between divine mercy and human lack of compassion.

Context

This verse is found within Jesus' teaching on forgiveness, specifically in the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, which begins in Matthew 18:23. The parable is told in response to Peter's question about how often one should forgive (Matthew 18:21-22). Immediately preceding this verse, the same servant had just been forgiven an immeasurable debt by his master – a debt of "ten thousand talents" (Matthew 18:24), representing an astronomical sum. Yet, empowered by this forgiveness, he immediately goes out and encounters a fellow servant who owes him a comparatively tiny amount.

Key Themes

  • Hypocrisy and Ingratitude: The servant's actions reveal profound hypocrisy. Having just received immense grace, he refuses to extend even a fraction of that grace to another. This highlights a critical spiritual principle: those who have been greatly forgiven should be quick to forgive others.
  • Disproportionate Debts: The contrast between the "ten thousand talents" (an unpayable sum) and "an hundred pence" (a mere 100 denarii, about 100 days' wages) is central. It emphasizes the vastness of God's forgiveness towards us compared to the relatively minor offenses others commit against us.
  • Lack of Mercy: Despite experiencing mercy firsthand, the servant shows none. His violent act of "taking him by the throat" demonstrates a harsh, unyielding demand for justice without compassion. This illustrates the danger of a heart hardened by self-interest rather than softened by received grace.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "took him by the throat" (Greek: epilabomenos epnigen) vividly portrays the servant's aggressive and forceful demand for payment. It suggests a violent, suffocating grip, emphasizing his merciless nature and the immediate, brutal pressure he applied. This action stands in stark contrast to the master's compassionate release of the servant's immense debt just moments before.

Practical Application

Matthew 18:28 serves as a powerful warning against unforgiveness. Just as the servant was shown incredible mercy, believers have been forgiven an immeasurable spiritual debt through Christ's sacrifice (Colossians 3:13). This verse challenges us to reflect on our own willingness to forgive those who have wronged us, especially when their offenses are minor compared to the forgiveness we have received from God. Holding grudges or demanding retribution from others after experiencing God's profound grace demonstrates a misunderstanding or rejection of that grace. The parable's conclusion in Matthew 18:35 underscores the serious implications of an unforgiving heart.

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.

  • 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.

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