Matthew 18:31

KJV

So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

KJV (with Strong's)

So {G1161} when his {G846} fellowservants {G4889} saw {G1492} what was done {G1096}, they were very {G4970} sorry {G3076}, and {G2532} came {G2064} and told {G1285} unto their {G846} lord {G2962} all {G3956} that was done {G1096}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When the other servants saw what had happened, they were extremely distressed; and they went and told their master every thing that had taken place.

Berean Standard Bible

When his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and recounted all of this to their master.

American Standard Version

So when his fellow-servants saw what was done, they were exceeding sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 18:31 details the profound reaction of the other servants within Jesus' Parable of the Unforgiving Servant. Witnessing the immense ingratitude and cruelty of their fellow servant—who, despite being forgiven an unpayable debt, refused to extend mercy for a trivial sum—they were deeply grieved. Their sorrow prompted them to report the entire incident to their lord, setting the stage for the unforgiving servant's just reckoning and highlighting the inescapable accountability for those who fail to mirror divine mercy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment in the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, found in [Matthew 18:23-35](/matthew/18-23-35 "The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant"). Jesus tells this parable in direct response to Peter's question in [Matthew 18:21-22](/matthew/18-21-22 "Peter Asks About Forgiveness") about the limits of forgiveness ("How often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?"). The parable begins with a king (representing God) who forgives a servant an astronomical, unpayable debt of "ten thousand talents." However, this same servant then encounters a fellow servant who owes him a minuscule sum of "a hundred pence." Despite pleas for patience, the forgiven servant mercilessly casts his debtor into prison. Verse 31 marks the climax of the narrative, as the other servants, observing this profound injustice, are moved to report it, leading directly to the lord's confrontation and judgment of the unforgiving servant in the subsequent verses.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, debt was a pervasive and serious issue, often leading to indentured servitude or imprisonment for debtors and their families. The "ten thousand talents" mentioned in the parable (a talent being a massive unit of currency, equivalent to many years' wages) represents an utterly unpayable sum, emphasizing the king's extraordinary, almost incomprehensible, generosity. Conversely, "a hundred pence" (denarii) was a relatively small amount, perhaps a few months' wages. This stark contrast highlights the vast disparity between the debt owed to the king (God) and the debt owed to the unforgiving servant. The practice of reporting misdeeds to an authority figure was common, and the fellow servants' actions reflect a societal expectation of justice and a recognition of the lord's ultimate authority over his household and servants.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 18:31 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the chapter and the broader Gospel. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **divine mercy and human responsibility**, illustrating that those who have received immeasurable grace are obligated to extend grace to others. The fellow servants' sorrow highlights the moral outrage at the unforgiving servant's failure to embody this principle, echoing the call for a new ethic of love and forgiveness central to Jesus' teachings, as seen in the [Sermon on the Mount](/matthew/5-7 "Jesus' Sermon on the Mount"). Secondly, the verse emphasizes **accountability within the Kingdom of God**. The fellow servants' act of reporting the injustice signifies that actions, particularly those that contradict the spirit of forgiveness, do not go unnoticed by the ultimate authority. This foreshadows the direct consequences of unforgiveness, a theme Jesus reiterates explicitly in [Matthew 6:14-15](/matthew/6-14-15 "Forgiveness in the Lord's Prayer"). Finally, it touches upon the theme of **community and mutual care** among believers, where the well-being and just treatment of fellow members are observed and, when violated, brought to the attention of the Lord.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **fellowservants (Greek, _sýndoulos'_):** From `σύν` (syn, "with") and `δοῦλος` (doulos, "slave" or "servant"), this term literally means "co-slave" or "fellow servant." It emphasizes their shared status and master, highlighting the bond and mutual obligation within the household. In the parable, it underscores the relational context of the unforgiving servant's cruelty; he oppressed someone who shared the same master and, implicitly, the same experience of being under the master's authority and mercy.
* **sorry (Greek, _lypéō'_):** Derived from `λύπη` (lypē, "grief" or "sorrow"), this verb means "to distress" or, in its reflexive/passive form here, "to be sad" or "to grieve." Coupled with the intensifier `σφόδρα` (sphodra, "very" or "exceedingly"), it conveys a profound emotional distress, indignation, and sorrow. This was not a mild disappointment but a deep grief and moral outrage at the unforgiving servant's harshness and lack of compassion, especially given the king's prior generosity.
* **told (Greek, _diasaphéō'_):** From `διά` (dia, "through" or "thoroughly") and a root meaning "clear," this verb means "to clear thoroughly" or "to declare." It implies a full, clear, and comprehensive report, leaving nothing unsaid. The fellow servants did not merely hint or complain; they meticulously laid out "all that was done" to their lord, ensuring he had a complete understanding of the injustice.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So when his fellowservants saw what was done,"**: This clause establishes the immediate cause of the fellow servants' reaction: their direct observation of the unforgiving servant's merciless actions. The word "So" (G1161, _dé_) acts as a connective, indicating a direct consequence or continuation of the narrative. Their eyewitness account lends credibility and weight to their subsequent report.
* **"they were very sorry,"**: This phrase describes the intense emotional response of the fellow servants. As analyzed above, "very sorry" (G4970 _sphódra_ G3076 _lypéō_) signifies profound grief, indignation, and distress. Their sorrow reflects a righteous indignation at the injustice and a deep understanding of how grievously the unforgiving servant had violated the principles of mercy and compassion, especially after having received such extraordinary forgiveness himself.
* **"and came and told unto their lord all that was done."**: This final clause details the decisive action taken by the grieved fellow servants. Their act of approaching the lord and fully disclosing "all that was done" (G1096 _gínomai_) demonstrates their commitment to justice and their recognition of the lord's ultimate authority. This report is the catalyst for the lord's intervention and the subsequent judgment, underscoring the principle that actions, particularly those involving a lack of mercy, are observed and ultimately brought before the highest authority.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 18:31 is rich with **Symbolism** and **Pathos**. The "fellowservants" symbolize those within the community of faith who observe the conduct of others and are sensitive to the principles of God's kingdom. Their "sorrow" is a powerful expression of **Pathos**, appealing to the reader's emotions and highlighting the moral repugnance of the unforgiving servant's actions. This intense emotional response underscores the gravity of the unforgiving servant's sin in the eyes of both human observers and, by extension, God. The act of reporting "all that was done" to their "lord" serves as a form of **foreshadowing**, hinting at the divine judgment that awaits those who fail to extend the mercy they have received. The verse also employs **Contrast** implicitly, juxtaposing the king's boundless mercy with the unforgiving servant's utter lack thereof, making the fellow servants' sorrow an understandable and righteous response to such a stark moral failing.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 18:31 vividly illustrates the theological truth that our response to the grace we have received from God has profound implications for our relationships with others and our standing before Him. The fellow servants' sorrow and subsequent report to their lord underscore the divine expectation that those who have been forgiven much will forgive others. This principle is not merely a suggestion but a fundamental characteristic of life in God's kingdom, where mercy triumphs over judgment. The verse serves as a powerful reminder that God is not indifferent to how His children treat one another, especially concerning forgiveness. Our actions, particularly our willingness or unwillingness to extend grace, are observed by both our spiritual community and, most importantly, by God Himself, leading to ultimate accountability.

* [Matthew 6:14-15](/matthew/6-14-15 "The Condition of Forgiveness in the Lord's Prayer")
* [Ephesians 4:32](/ephesians/4-32 "Be Kind, Tenderhearted, Forgiving One Another")
* [Colossians 3:13](/colossians/3-13 "Bearing with One Another and Forgiving")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 18:31 serves as a poignant mirror for believers today, prompting us to examine the depth of our own gratitude for God's forgiveness and the extent to which we extend that same grace to others. Just as the fellow servants were deeply grieved by the unforgiving servant's cruelty, our own attitudes and actions regarding forgiveness are observed—not only by our fellow believers but also by our heavenly Lord. This verse challenges us to confront any bitterness, resentment, or unforgiveness we may harbor, recognizing that such attitudes fundamentally contradict the boundless mercy we have received through Christ. It calls us to live lives characterized by compassion, patience, and a readiness to forgive, reflecting the very heart of God. Our willingness to forgive is not merely a personal virtue but a public testimony to the transforming power of the Gospel and a vital component of healthy Christian community.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific instances of unforgiveness in my own life grieve the heart of God and those around me?**
* **How does my willingness to forgive others truly reflect the immeasurable debt of sin that God has forgiven me through Christ?**
* **In what ways can I actively cultivate a heart of mercy and compassion, even towards those who have wronged me?**

### FAQ
**Why were the fellow servants "very sorry" instead of angry?**

Answer: The Greek term `lypéō` (G3076), translated as "sorry" and intensified by `sphódra` (G4970, "very"), conveys a profound sense of grief, distress, and indignation, rather than simple anger. Their sorrow likely stemmed from a combination of factors: moral outrage at the injustice, empathy for the suffering fellow servant, and perhaps a deep disappointment and shock that someone who had received such extraordinary mercy from their lord could be so utterly devoid of compassion towards another. This deep sorrow highlights the gravity of the unforgiving servant's sin, suggesting that his actions were not merely an offense against a peer but a profound betrayal of the lord's character and the principles of the household. Their emotional response underscores the ethical and spiritual weight of unforgiveness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 18:31, while detailing the reaction of servants to an earthly lord, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate divine judgment and the Christ-centered call to radical forgiveness. The king in the parable symbolizes God, who, in Christ, has forgiven humanity an immeasurable debt of sin—a debt far greater than "ten thousand talents." Just as the fellow servants were grieved by the unforgiving servant's lack of mercy, God Himself is grieved by our failure to extend the forgiveness we have so freely received. Jesus, the true "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), paid the ultimate price for our redemption, demonstrating the boundless mercy of God. Therefore, the call to forgive, as exemplified by the lord's expectation in the parable, is fulfilled and empowered by Christ's own example and sacrifice. We are commanded to "be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you" ([Ephesians 4:32](/ephesians/4-32 "Ephesians 4:32 - Forgive as Christ Forgave You")). The sorrow of the fellow servants serves as a stark reminder that our failure to forgive not only grieves God but also stands in direct opposition to the very essence of the Gospel, which is the unmerited favor and boundless forgiveness offered through Jesus Christ ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")).

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

Romans 12:15

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

Hebrews 13:3

Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; [and] them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

Mark 3:5

And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched [it] out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

Luke 14:21

So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.

Psalms 119:136

¶ Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.

Genesis 37:2

These [are] the generations of Jacob. Joseph, [being] seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad [was] with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.

Jeremiah 9:1

¶ Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!