Matthew 18:32

Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:

Then {G5119} his {G846} lord {G2962}, after that he had called {G4341} him {G846}, said {G3004} unto him {G846}, O thou wicked {G4190} servant {G1401}, I forgave {G863} thee {G4671} all {G3956} that {G1565} debt {G3782}, because {G1893} thou desiredst {G3870} me {G3165}:

Then the master summoned his servant and said, `You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt just because you begged me to do it.

Then the master summoned him and declared, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave all your debt because you begged me.

Then his lord called him unto him, and saith to him, Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou besoughtest me:

Context of Matthew 18:32

Matthew 18:32 is a pivotal moment in the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, also known as the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant. This parable is one of Jesus' teachings on forgiveness, delivered in response to Peter's question about how often one should forgive. The verse captures the lord's indignant rebuke of his servant who, after being forgiven an unpayable, immense debt (Matthew 18:27), refused to show mercy to a fellow servant who owed him a comparatively tiny sum.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Immensity of Divine Forgiveness: The lord's initial act of forgiving the servant's debt represents God's boundless grace and forgiveness towards humanity for their sins. The servant's debt was astronomically large, symbolizing the depth of our indebtedness to God.
  • The Wickedness of Unforgiveness: The lord's immediate condemnation of the servant as "wicked" highlights the gravity of withholding forgiveness. Having experienced such profound mercy, the servant's subsequent lack of compassion is seen as morally reprehensible and a betrayal of the grace he received.
  • Expected Reciprocity of Mercy: This verse underscores the expectation that those who have received great mercy from God should, in turn, extend mercy and forgiveness to others. Jesus implies that our willingness to forgive others reflects our understanding and appreciation of God's forgiveness towards us. This principle is also echoed in the Lord's Prayer.
  • Consequences of Unforgiveness: The lord's rebuke sets the stage for the severe consequences the unforgiving servant faces, underscoring the spiritual dangers of holding onto bitterness and resentment (Matthew 18:34).

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "O thou wicked servant" translates from the Greek πονηρὲ δοῦλε (ponere doule). The word πονηρὲ (ponere) is a strong adjective meaning "evil," "wicked," "worthless," or "malignant." It emphasizes the servant's deep moral failing, not merely a minor misstep, but an action rooted in a corrupt heart that has forgotten the immense grace shown to it.

The phrase "I forgave thee all that debt" uses the Greek verb ἀφῆκά (aphēka), from ἀφίημι (aphiēmi), which means "to send away," "to release," "to dismiss," and crucially, "to forgive." The use of "all" (πᾶσαν - pasan) emphasizes the complete and total nature of the forgiveness granted, making the servant's subsequent actions even more egregious.

Practical Application

Matthew 18:32 serves as a powerful reminder for believers today:

  1. Reflect on God's Forgiveness: Take time to truly grasp the magnitude of God's forgiveness for your own sins. This understanding should cultivate a spirit of humility and gratitude.
  2. Embrace a Forgiving Spirit: Since we have been forgiven so much by God, we are called to extend that same grace to others. Holding onto grudges or refusing to forgive, especially for offenses far smaller than our debt to God, is contrary to the Christian walk and is described by Jesus as "wicked."
  3. Break the Cycle of Bitterness: Unforgiveness can poison relationships and hinder one's spiritual well-being. This verse encourages us to actively choose forgiveness, mirroring God's character and promoting healing in our lives and communities. As Colossians 3:13 instructs, "Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye."
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 19:22

    And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, [thou] wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:

  • Romans 3:19

    ¶ Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

  • Matthew 25:26

    His lord answered and said unto him, [Thou] wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

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