Matthew 18:30

KJV

And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} he would {G2309} not {G3756}: but {G235} went {G565} and cast {G906} him {G846} into {G1519} prison {G5438}, till {G2193}{G3739} he should pay {G591} the debt {G3784}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But he refused; instead, he had him thrown in jail until he should repay the debt.

Berean Standard Bible

But he refused. Instead, he went and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay his debt.

American Standard Version

And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay that which was due.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 18:30, from the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, vividly portrays the unmerciful act of a servant who, having just been forgiven an immense debt by his master, refused to extend similar grace to a fellow servant owing a comparatively minuscule sum. This verse underscores the servant's hardened heart and the immediate, severe consequence of his unforgiveness, setting the stage for the parable's climactic warning about the necessity of mirroring divine mercy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Jesus' discourse on life in the kingdom of heaven, specifically following Peter's question about the limits of forgiveness. In [Matthew 18:21-22](/matthew/18-21-22 "Peter's Question and Jesus' Answer on Forgiveness"), Peter asks how many times he should forgive his brother, suggesting "seven times." Jesus responds with "seventy times seven," a hyperbolic expression signifying limitless forgiveness. The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant ([Matthew 18:23-35](/matthew/18-23-35 "The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant")) immediately follows, serving as a powerful illustration of this principle. Verse 30 is the turning point, revealing the first servant's shocking lack of mercy after receiving an incomprehensible act of grace from his master, directly contrasting with the master's earlier compassion shown in [Matthew 18:27](/matthew/18-27 "The Master's Compassion").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the Greco-Roman world, debt was a pervasive issue, and imprisonment for debt was a common, though often temporary, practice. Such imprisonment was not typically a means of punishment but a coercive measure to force the debtor's family or friends to pay the debt, or to compel the debtor to work off the obligation. The "debt" in the parable's opening, ten thousand talents ([Matthew 18:24](/matthew/18-24 "The First Servant's Enormous Debt")), represents an astronomical sum, far exceeding any individual's ability to repay, even a king's annual revenue. This highlights the master's extraordinary, almost unfathomable, generosity. The cultural expectation would have been for the forgiven servant to extend a similar, albeit smaller, mercy, making his refusal in verse 30 all the more egregious and culturally shocking.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 18:30 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the chapter and the broader Gospel. Firstly, it highlights the **radical nature of divine forgiveness** by contrasting it with human pettiness. The master's forgiveness of an unpayable debt mirrors God's boundless grace towards humanity, as seen in passages like [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Salvation by Grace Through Faith"). Secondly, it underscores the **imperative of reciprocal forgiveness** within the community of faith. The servant's refusal to forgive, despite having received such immense mercy, demonstrates a profound failure to embody the kingdom's values. This theme is echoed throughout Jesus' teachings, including the Lord's Prayer in [Matthew 6:12](/matthew/6-12 "The Lord's Prayer and Forgiveness"), which explicitly links God's forgiveness to our forgiveness of others. Finally, the verse foreshadows the **severe consequences of unforgiveness**, as the servant's actions lead to his own judgment, a warning amplified in the parable's concluding verse, [Matthew 18:35](/matthew/18-35 "The Parable's Stern Warning").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **would not (Greek, _thélō_ G2309; _ou_ G3756):** The combination of _thélō_ (to determine, wish, be willing) and _ou_ (the absolute negative) emphasizes the servant's deliberate and resolute refusal. This was not an oversight or an inability, but a conscious, hardened decision to withhold mercy. It highlights the volitional nature of his unforgiveness, contrasting sharply with the master's gracious will to forgive.
* **cast (Greek, _bállō_ G906):** This verb signifies a forceful, decisive action – "to throw" or "to cast." It conveys the harshness and finality of the servant's act. He didn't merely send the debtor away; he violently threw him into prison, illustrating the brutal and unyielding nature of his lack of compassion.
* **pay the debt (Greek, _apodídōmi_ G591; _opheílō_ G3784):** The phrase combines _apodídōmi_ (to give back, pay back, render) and _opheílō_ (to owe, be under obligation, be indebted). This specifies the impossible condition for release. The "debt" (_opheílō_) here is not just financial but carries the broader sense of an obligation or a moral failing, linking the parable's financial context to the spiritual reality of sin and trespasses. The servant's demand for full repayment, knowing it was impossible for his fellow servant, reveals the depth of his unmerciful heart.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he would not:":** This opening clause immediately establishes the shocking refusal of the first servant. Despite having just experienced an immense, undeserved act of grace from his master, his heart remains hardened. This deliberate unwillingness to show mercy is the pivotal point of the verse, setting the stage for the ensuing actions.
* **"but went and cast him into prison,":** This clause describes the swift and severe action taken by the unforgiving servant. Instead of showing compassion or patience, he actively pursued the fellow servant and, with a forceful act, had him imprisoned. This demonstrates his complete lack of empathy and his determination to exact the full measure of what he believed was owed to him, regardless of the consequences for the other person.
* **"till he should pay the debt.":** This final clause specifies the condition for the debtor's release. The phrase implies an indefinite and likely impossible duration, as the debtor would have no means to earn money while imprisoned. This condition highlights the futility and cruelty of the unforgiving servant's demand, as it effectively condemns his fellow servant to a hopeless situation, mirroring the master's original, impossible demand on the first servant.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 18:30 is rich with literary devices that amplify its message. **Contrast** is paramount, juxtaposing the boundless mercy of the master (who forgave an unpayable debt) with the abject cruelty of the servant (who refused to forgive a trivial sum). This stark difference highlights the moral failing of the servant and the expected standard of forgiveness within the kingdom. **Irony** is also powerfully employed; the one who received the greatest mercy is precisely the one who withholds it from another. This ironic twist underscores the hypocrisy of the servant and serves as a warning against a self-serving understanding of grace. Furthermore, **Symbolism** is evident, with the "prison" representing the dire consequences of unforgiveness, both for the one imprisoned and, ultimately, for the one who imprisons. The "debt" itself functions as a symbol for sins or offenses, connecting the financial narrative to the spiritual reality of humanity's debt to God and our reciprocal obligations to one another.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 18:30 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of divine forgiveness and the human responsibility to reflect it. The parable teaches that God's forgiveness of our "debt" (sin) is absolute and immeasurable, far surpassing any offense we could commit against Him. However, this divine grace is not merely a transaction; it is transformative, calling us to embody the same spirit of mercy towards others. To receive God's forgiveness yet refuse to extend it is to fundamentally misunderstand the heart of God and the nature of His kingdom. The servant's actions reveal a heart that has received grace but has not been changed by it, illustrating that true repentance and acceptance of God's mercy should lead to a life characterized by similar compassion and forgiveness towards those who have wronged us.

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

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 18:30 stands as a stark mirror, inviting believers to examine the depths of their own hearts regarding forgiveness. It challenges us to consider whether we have truly grasped the magnitude of the debt Christ has forgiven us, and whether that understanding has translated into a genuine willingness to release others from their offenses against us. Holding onto grudges, bitterness, or resentment is a heavy spiritual burden that not only harms our own souls but also contradicts the very essence of the Gospel we claim to embrace. This verse calls us to a radical, Christ-like posture of mercy, recognizing that our capacity to forgive others is a direct reflection of our appreciation for the boundless forgiveness we have received from God. It's a call to freedom—freedom from the chains of unforgiveness for ourselves and freedom for those who have wronged us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "debts" (offenses, hurts, grudges) am I currently holding against others, and how does this verse challenge my perspective?**
* **How does my willingness to forgive others demonstrate my understanding and appreciation of God's forgiveness towards me?**
* **What practical steps can I take today to extend forgiveness to someone I have been unwilling to forgive, mirroring the master's compassion?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "prison" in this verse?**

Answer: The "prison" in [Matthew 18:30](/matthew/18-30 "The Unforgiving Servant's Action") symbolizes the severe and often hopeless consequences of unmerciful actions, both in the parable's immediate context and in its broader spiritual application. Historically, imprisonment for debt was a means to coerce repayment, often leading to indefinite confinement if the debt could not be settled. Spiritually, it represents the bondage and judgment that await those who refuse to extend the same mercy they have received. The parable's conclusion in [Matthew 18:34-35](/matthew/18-34-35 "The Master's Wrath and Parable's Conclusion") explicitly links this imprisonment to the master's wrath and the ultimate judgment for those who do not forgive their brothers from the heart.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 18:30, while depicting a human failure to forgive, ultimately points to the profound and perfect forgiveness found in Christ. The astronomical debt owed to the master by the first servant is a powerful **type** or **analogy** for humanity's immeasurable sin-debt to a holy God, a debt that we could never repay on our own. Just as the master in the parable freely forgave the servant's impossible debt, so too has God, in His boundless mercy, forgiven our sin-debt through the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ. Jesus, the true Lamb of God, paid the ultimate price, taking away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God")). His death on the cross serves as the full and final payment for all who believe, as declared in [Colossians 2:13-14](/colossians/2-13-14 "Forgiveness of Sins Through Christ"). The unforgiving servant's failure to reflect the master's grace highlights the radical call of the Gospel: because we have been forgiven so much by Christ, we are compelled to extend that same forgiveness to others ([Ephesians 4:32](/ephesians/4-32 "Be Kind and Forgiving")). Jesus Himself taught us to pray for forgiveness as we forgive those who trespass against us ([Matthew 6:12](/matthew/6-12 "The Lord's Prayer")). Thus, this verse, by demonstrating the tragic consequences of unforgiveness, magnifies the indispensable and transformative power of Christ's cross, which not only secures our forgiveness but also empowers us to live lives characterized by His boundless mercy.

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

1 Kings 21:27

And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly.

1 Kings 21:29

Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days: [but] in his son's days will I bring the evil upon his house.

1 Kings 22:27

And say, Thus saith the king, Put this [fellow] in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace.