Matthew 18:27

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 18:21-35

This part of the discourse concerning offences is certainly to be understood of personal wrongs, which is in our power to forgive. Now observe, I. Peter's question concerning this matter (Matt. 18:21); Lord, how oft shall my brother trespass against me, and I forgive him? Will it suffice to do it seven times? 1. He takes it for granted that he must forgive; Christ had before taught his disciples this lesson (Matt. 6:14, 15), and Peter has not forgotten it. He knows that he must not only not... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 18:1-35

Matthew 18:1-35 is a most important chapter for Christian Ethics, because it deals with those qualities which should characterize the personal relationships of the Christian. We shall be dealing in detail with these relationships as we study the chapter section by section; but before we do so, it will be well to look at the chapter as a whole. It singles out seven qualities which should mark the personal relationships of the Christian. (i) First and foremost, there is the quality of... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 18:27

Moved with compassion - Or with tender pity. This is the source of salvation to a lost world, the tender pity, the eternal mercy of God. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:1-35

Discourse concerning the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, and the mutual duties of Christians . ( Mark 9:33-50 ; Luke 9:46-50 .) read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:21-35

The pardon of injuries, and the parable of the unmerciful servant . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:21-35

The law of forgiveness. I. THE CONVERSATION WITH ST . PETER . 1 . Peter ' s question . The Lord had intimated the duty of gentleness in dealing with offences. Every effort was to be used to reconcile the offending brother; he was to be approached with all gentleness, with all Christian tact, if so be that he might be won back to Christ and to the Church. Peter wished for a definite rule to guide him in carrying out the Lord's directions. According to the rabbis, an... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:21-35

The unmerciful servant. The form of Peter's question shows that he still considered that to forgive was not the law of the kingdom, but a tentative measure which might at any moment be revoked, that underneath the forgiveness there lies the right to revenge. We also know this feeling of Peter's, that in forgiving we are doing something more than could be demanded of us. And this feeling, wherever it exists, shows that we are living with retaliation for the law, forgiveness for the exception.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:21-35

The limits of mercy. Peter's question here was suggested by his Lord's doctrine concerning Christian judgment ( Matthew 18:15-20 ). "Then came Peter," etc. The form of Peter's question may have been suggested by the custom of the rabbins who from Amos 1:3 —"For three transgressions, and for four, I will not turn away wrath"—held that three offences were to be forgiven, and not the fourth; or, uniting the two numbers, made "seven times" the extreme limit of their forgiveness. The Lord's... 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

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