Matthew 18:15-35

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 18:22

Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee ,.... Which is as if he had said, observe what I am about to say, I do not agree to what thou sayest to fix the number, "until seven times only", but until seventy times seven ; a certain number for an uncertain, see Genesis 4:24 . Christ's meaning is, that a man should be all the days, and every day of his life, forgiving those that sin against him, as often as they repent and acknowledge their fault; and that no time is to be set for the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 18:23

Therefore is the kingdom of heaven ,.... The Gospel church state, or the church of Christ under the Gospel dispensation, and the methods of God's dealings in it; likened unto a certain king : or "a man", "a king", pointing either to Christ, the king Messiah, who is King of kings, and Lord of lords, the King of saints and churches; who, as God, has a natural kingdom of providence, and as man and Mediator, a kingdom of grace; and will have a more visibly glorious one, both in this world... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 18:24

And when he had begun to reckon ,.... To open the book of conscience, and to bring to account by some awakening providence, and strong conviction: one was brought unto him; whether he would or no, through the force of an awakened conscience, under guilt and terror; which owed him ten thousand talents ; which must be understood, either of gold, or silver: a talent of silver contained 3,000 shekels, as appears from Exodus 38:25 , and was in value of our money 375l. but a talent of gold... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 18:25

But forasmuch as he had not to pay ,.... Every sinner is insolvent; sinful man has run out the whole stock of nature, and is become a bankrupt, and has nothing to offer by way of composition; nor has he any righteousness to answer for him, nor any works of righteousness which deserve that name: and if he had, these are nothing in point of payment: for a debt of sin cannot be discharged by a debt of obedience; since God has a prior right to the latter; and in paying it, a man does but what is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 18:26

The servant therefore fell down ,.... At his feet, upon his knees, or on his face, to the ground; not being able to stand before him, or look him in the face, and much less to answer the demands of his law and justice; but owned the debt, and his present inability to pay, and worshipped him : the Vulgate Latin reads it, "prayed", or entreated him, saying, Lord have patience with me ; give me but time, spare me a little longer, send me not to prison, and I will pay thee all: a very... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 18:27

Then the Lord of that servant was moved with compassion ,.... Or had compassion on him, showed pity to him, and extended mercy towards him; not that he was moved hereunto by any actions of his, as his prostrating himself before him, and his worshipping him, nor by his cries and entreaties, nor by his promises, which were not at all to be depended on, but by his own goodness, and will; for not to anything that this man said, or did, nor to any deserts of his, but to the pure mercy, and free... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 18:28

But the same servant went out ,.... From his Lord's palace and presence, immediately, directly, after he had got his pardon and liberty: and found one of his fellow servants ; a fellow creature and Christian; not only one of the same nature and species; but of the same profession of religion, and in the service of the same kind and generous master: which owed an hundred pence ; which, if understood of Roman pence, each penny being seven pence halfpenny of our money, amounted to no... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 18:29

And his fellow servant fell down at his feet ,.... In the most humble and submissive manner, just as he himself had done a little before at the feet of his Lord: and besought him, saying, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all ; using the very same words, in which he had expressed himself to his Lord, and had succeeded. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 18:30

And he would not ,.... Have patience with him, give him time for payment, and forbear severity at present, as he requested: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt ; had him before a proper officer, and proved his debt, and got him sent to jail, there to lie till the whole debt was paid; which, as it discovered ill nature, severe usage, so, great ignorance and stupidity; for a prison will pay no debt: which sets forth the rigorous proceedings of some church members... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 18:31

So when his fellow servants saw what was done ,.... What hard usage, and ill treatment, their fellow servant met with; the Syriac reads, "their fellow servants", being the fellow servants both of the creditor and the debtor: they were very sorry ; they were greatly grieved and troubled at the cruelty of the one, and the unhappiness of the other; being more tenderhearted, and of a more forgiving spirit than he: and came and told unto their Lord all that was done ; to their fellow... read more

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