Matthew 18:23

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:23

Therefore ; i . e . because such is the infinite nature of the pardon to be meted out to an offending brother. The kingdom of heaven. The rule observed in the government of Christ's kingdom with regard to forgiveness is represented by the procedure of a certain earthly king. The picture supposes some great Oriental potentate, with numerous viceroys or satraps, who have to render to him an account of revenues received. These are called servants in the sense that, though they are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:23-35

Christ illustrates his precept by the parable of the unmerciful servant, and the stern lesson which he himself enunciates at its close . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:23-35

The hard debtor. This parable follows our Lord's answer to St. Peter's question about the limits of forgiveness. The great reason why we should forgive freely is that we have been freely forgiven much more than any men owe to us. I. THE GREAT DEBT . This represents what the sinner owes to God. We pray that God will forgive us our debts ( Matthew 6:12 ). Deficiencies of duty are like debts considered as arrears of payments. Positive transgressions are like debts, through our... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 18:23

Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened ... - The phrase, “the kingdom of heaven,” here has reference to the church, or to the way in which God will deal with his people. “It shall be in my church as it was with a certain king; or God will deal with the members of his church as a certain king did with his servants.” See the notes at Matthew 3:2. This parable (see Matthew 13:3) is related to show the duty of forgiving others. It is not necessary to suppose that it was a true narrative, but... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 18:23

Matthew 18:23. Therefore In this respect; the kingdom of heaven is likened unto a certain king Here our Lord illustrates the excellent morality of the preceding verse by a lively parable; in which is shown “the necessity of forgiving the greatest injuries in every case where the offending party is sensible of his fault, and promises amendment; a necessity of the strongest kind, arising from this law of the divine government, that it is the condition on which God forgives our offences... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 18:15-35

79. Lessons in forgiveness (Matthew 18:15-35)Disciples of Jesus should be willing to forgive fellow believers who sin against them, but they should also be concerned that offenders realize their sin and turn from it. In each case the believer should go to the offender privately and point out the wrongdoing, so that the person might be spiritually helped. If this fails, two or three others should be called in, firstly to make sure that the offender is in fact guilty and secondly to appeal for... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 18:23

Therefore = On account of this. Greek. dia ( App-104 .Matthew 18:1; Matthew 18:1 ), touto. a certain king = a man ( App-123 .) a king (Hebraism). would = wished. Greek. thelo . App-102 . take account = to compare accounts. Greek. sunairo. Occurs only in Matthew (here, Matthew 18:24 , and Matthew 25:19 ). Said not to be classical Greek: but the colloquial Greek is found in the Papyri in Cent. II. in two letters, one from Oxyrhynchus, and the other from Dakkeh in Nubia, dated March 6,... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 18:23

Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, who would make a reckoning with his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, that owed ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not wherewith to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And the lord of that servant,... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 18:23

Matthew 18:23. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened, &c.— "For this reason, or, with respect to this matter, I may properly say that the kingdom of heaven, in its constitution and final process, may be likened to, or illustrated by the instance of a certain king who ruled over a large country, and who, as he had a great number of officers under him, was determined at length to settle accounts with his servants." Thus our Lord illustrates the excellent morality in the preceding verse,... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Matthew 18:23

23. Therefore—"with reference to this matter." is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants—or, would scrutinize the accounts of his revenue collectors. read more

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