Matthew 18:33

KJV

Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

KJV (with Strong's)

Shouldest {G1163} not {G3756} thou {G4571} also {G2532} have had compassion {G1653} on thy {G4675} fellowservant {G4889}, even {G2532} as {G5613} I {G1473} had pity {G1653} on thee {G4571}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Shouldn't you have had pity on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?'

Berean Standard Bible

Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had on you?’

American Standard Version

shouldest not thou also have had mercy on thy fellow-servant, even as I had mercy on thee?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 18:33 encapsulates the indignant rebuke from the master to the unforgiving servant in Jesus's Parable of the Unforgiving Servant. It highlights the profound moral obligation for those who have received immense mercy and forgiveness to extend that same compassion to others, particularly when their own debt was incomparably greater. This rhetorical question underscores the hypocrisy and spiritual inconsistency of withholding forgiveness when one has been so freely forgiven.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climactic rhetorical question posed by the master in Jesus's Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, found in [Matthew 18:23-35](/matthew/18-23-35 "Matthew 18:23-35 - The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant"). The parable itself is Jesus's direct response to Peter's question in [Matthew 18:21](/matthew/18-21 "Matthew 18:21 - Peter's Question About Forgiveness") about how many times one should forgive a brother who sins against them. Jesus's answer, "seventy times seven" ([Matthew 18:22](/matthew/18-22 "Matthew 18:22 - Jesus's Answer on Forgiveness")), sets the stage for this parable, which illustrates the boundless nature of divine forgiveness and the corresponding expectation for human forgiveness. The immediate preceding verses recount the master's compassionate act of forgiving an unpayable debt, followed by the servant's subsequent merciless treatment of a fellow servant who owed a comparatively trivial sum.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The parable reflects the socio-economic realities of the ancient Near East, where debt was a common and significant burden. The sums mentioned are astronomical: ten thousand talents (an unpayable sum for a servant, perhaps representing billions in modern currency, as seen in [Matthew 18:24](/matthew/18-24 "Matthew 18:24 - The Enormous Debt")) versus one hundred denarii (a relatively small sum, perhaps a few months' wages, as seen in [Matthew 18:28](/matthew/18-28 "Matthew 18:28 - The Small Debt")). Kings and wealthy landowners often had the power to forgive debts, and such acts of clemency were seen as demonstrations of their magnanimity. The cultural expectation was that those who received such extraordinary grace would, in turn, demonstrate generosity. The master's indignation in [Matthew 18:33](/matthew/18-33 "Matthew 18:33 - The Master's Rebuke") would have resonated strongly with an audience familiar with the moral codes surrounding honor, shame, and reciprocal obligations.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 18:33 contributes significantly to several key themes within the Gospel of Matthew and the broader teachings of Jesus. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Mercy and Forgiveness**, exemplified by the master's initial act of boundless grace, mirroring God's forgiveness of humanity's sin debt. This leads directly to the theme of **Reciprocal Forgiveness**, emphasizing that those who have experienced God's profound mercy are morally obligated to extend forgiveness to others, reflecting the character of their heavenly Father. The verse also powerfully exposes the **Hypocrisy of Unforgiveness**, highlighting the severe incongruity of accepting immense grace while refusing to show even a small measure of mercy. Ultimately, it serves as a **Call to Compassion**, urging believers to cultivate a heart of pity and empathy that mirrors the divine compassion they have received, a principle echoed throughout Jesus's teachings, such as in [the Sermon on the Mount](/matthew/5-7 "Matthew 5-7 - The Sermon on the Mount").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Shouldest (Greek, _deî'_):** This word (G1163), used impersonally, conveys a sense of necessity, obligation, or what is proper and fitting. It is not merely a suggestion but expresses a moral imperative. The master's question implies that it was absolutely necessary and morally behoved the servant to show compassion, given what he himself had received.
* **compassion/pity (Greek, _eleéō'_):** Derived from G1653, this verb means "to compassionate by word or deed," often implying divine grace. It signifies a deep, heartfelt mercy, a sympathetic feeling that moves one to action. The repetition of this word ("have had compassion" and "had pity") emphasizes the core virtue that the servant lacked and that the master exemplified. It's not just a feeling, but an active demonstration of mercy.
* **fellowservant (Greek, _sýndoulos'_):** From G4889, this compound word means "a co-slave" or "servitor/ministrant of the same master." It highlights the shared relationship and equal standing of the two servants before their common master. The unforgiving servant's failure is compounded by the fact that he oppressed someone who was his peer and under the same authority, creating a stark contrast with the master's treatment of him.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant,"**: This opening clause is a rhetorical question, designed to elicit an obvious "yes" answer. The master is expressing his strong disapproval and disappointment. The "thou also" emphasizes the expectation that the servant, having received compassion, should naturally extend it. The object of this expected compassion is "thy fellowservant," underscoring the shared status and the moral breach in failing to show mercy to one's peer.
* **"even as I had pity on thee?"**: This second clause provides the basis for the master's expectation. The phrase "even as" establishes a direct comparison and standard. The master's profound act of pity and forgiveness towards the servant sets the precedent and obligation. The servant's failure to reciprocate this compassion to his fellow servant, despite having received it in such an overwhelming measure, is the core of his moral offense.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Matthew 18:33 is **Rhetorical Question**. The master's query is not seeking information but is a forceful statement of rebuke, designed to highlight the unforgiving servant's moral failure and the obvious truth that he *should* have shown compassion. This question effectively conveys the master's indignation and the clear expectation of reciprocal mercy. Furthermore, there is a strong element of **Contrast** and **Juxtaposition** within the broader parable, which this verse encapsulates. The master's boundless compassion (forgiving an unpayable debt) is starkly contrasted with the servant's utter lack of pity (refusing to forgive a trivial sum). This contrast underscores the profound hypocrisy of the servant and serves to emphasize the magnitude of the master's grace and the expected response from those who receive it.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 18:33 profoundly connects the experience of receiving divine grace with the imperative to extend grace to others. It underscores the theological truth that genuine understanding and appreciation of God's boundless mercy for our sins should inevitably transform our hearts, enabling us to forgive those who wrong us. The master's rhetorical question is a powerful indictment of a heart that has received much but gives little, revealing a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of God's kingdom and the ethical demands of discipleship. This principle is not merely a suggestion but a core aspect of living out the Christian faith, demonstrating a transformed character that reflects the very nature of God.

* [Matthew 6:14-15](/matthew/6-14-15 "Matthew 6:14-15 - Forgiveness in the Lord's Prayer")
* [Luke 6:36](/luke/6-36 "Luke 6:36 - Be Merciful")
* [Ephesians 4:32](/ephesians/4-32 "Ephesians 4:32 - Be Kind and Forgiving")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 18:33 serves as a profound mirror for our souls, challenging us to honestly examine the depth of our gratitude for God's forgiveness and the extent to which that gratitude translates into our interactions with others. If we truly grasp the immensity of our own spiritual debt, which God in Christ has fully paid, how can we possibly withhold forgiveness from those who owe us comparatively trivial offenses? This verse calls us to move beyond mere intellectual assent to God's mercy and to embody that mercy in our daily lives. It's a call to break free from the chains of bitterness, resentment, and unforgiveness that can imprison our hearts and hinder our spiritual growth. Our willingness to forgive others is not a condition for God's initial forgiveness, but it is a powerful indicator of whether we have truly received and understood the transformative power of His grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I holding onto unforgiveness, and how does this reflect my understanding of God's mercy towards me?**
* **How can I actively cultivate a heart of compassion and pity that mirrors the grace I have received from God?**
* **What practical steps can I take today to extend forgiveness to someone who has wronged me, even if it feels difficult?**

### FAQ
**What is the main message of Matthew 18:33?**

Answer: The main message of [Matthew 18:33](/matthew/18-33 "Matthew 18:33 - The Master's Rebuke") is that those who have received abundant mercy and forgiveness from God are morally obligated to extend that same compassion and forgiveness to others. It highlights the hypocrisy of accepting great grace while refusing to show even a small measure of mercy to one's fellow human beings. The verse underscores the principle that our forgiveness of others should be a natural outflow of our experience of God's forgiveness.

**How does this verse relate to the concept of God's justice?**

Answer: While [Matthew 18:33](/matthew/18-33 "Matthew 18:33 - The Master's Rebuke") emphasizes mercy, it also implicitly relates to God's justice. The master's indignation and subsequent judgment on the unforgiving servant ([Matthew 18:34-35](/matthew/18-34-35 "Matthew 18:34-35 - The Consequence of Unforgiveness")) demonstrate that while God is merciful, He also expects His children to reflect His character. Unforgiveness, particularly after receiving immense grace, is a serious offense in God's eyes, indicating a heart that has not truly grasped or been transformed by His mercy. It signifies a failure to live justly in light of the grace received.

**Is forgiveness optional for a Christian according to this verse?**

Answer: No, according to [Matthew 18:33](/matthew/18-33 "Matthew 18:33 - The Master's Rebuke") and the broader parable, forgiveness is not optional for a Christian. The master's rhetorical question, "Shouldest not thou also have had compassion... even as I had pity on thee?", implies a clear moral imperative. Jesus concludes the parable by stating, "So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses" ([Matthew 18:35](/matthew/18-35 "Matthew 18:35 - The Heavenly Father's Judgment")). This makes it clear that a failure to forgive from the heart has serious spiritual consequences and indicates a disconnect from the very grace that defines Christian life.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 18:33 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The master in the parable, who forgives an unpayable debt, is a profound type of God the Father, and by extension, of Christ Himself. We, like the first servant, are debtors to God, owing a spiritual debt of sin that is utterly beyond our capacity to repay ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). Yet, through His sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus, the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bore the full penalty for our sins, offering us complete and unmerited forgiveness ([Colossians 2:13-14](/colossians/2-13-14 "Colossians 2:13-14 - Forgiveness of Sins")). His compassion for us was not merely a feeling but a visceral, agonizing act of self-giving love. Therefore, when Jesus asks, "Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?", He is implicitly pointing to His own unparalleled act of mercy as the standard and the source of our capacity to forgive. Our ability and willingness to extend forgiveness to others is not a meritorious act, but a grateful response to the immeasurable grace we have received from Christ, demonstrating that we have truly understood and been transformed by His [gospel of peace](/ephesians/6-15 "Ephesians 6:15 - The Gospel of Peace"). It is through Christ that we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live out this radical, forgiving love, reflecting His character to a world desperately in need of mercy ([John 13:34-35](/john/13-34-35 "John 13:34-35 - A New Commandment")).

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

Colossians 3:13

Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also [do] ye.

Ephesians 4:32

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Ephesians 5:2

And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

Matthew 6:12

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Luke 6:35

But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and [to] the evil.

Luke 6:36

Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Matthew 5:44

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;