What does Matthew 18:21 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 18:21 features one of the disciples, Peter, asking Jesus how many times he should forgive a brother who sins against him.

Peter suggests the number seven, which in Jewish tradition was seen as a number of completeness.

Jesus responds in the following verse (Matthew 18:22) that forgiveness should not be limited to seven times, but "seventy times seven," indicating that forgiveness should be boundless.

The deeper meaning here is about the nature of forgiveness in the Christian life: it should be limitless and not subject to an accounting.

The expectation set by Jesus is of ongoing mercy and pardon, reflecting the boundless forgiveness God offers to humanity.

Historical Context

The Gospel according to Matthew was written for a Jewish-Christian audience. In the Jewish tradition of Peter's time, forgiving someone three times was considered adequate. By suggesting seven times, Peter was likely trying to show a spirit of generosity.

However, Jesus' response transcends cultural practices by asserting that there should be no limit on forgiveness.

This teaching occurs in the context of a discourse in which Jesus provides instructions about dealing with sin in the community, making it part of a larger emphasis on reconciliation and harmony among believers.

Theological Insights

Different theological perspectives may emphasize various aspects of this verse:

• Catholic: The limitless forgiveness Jesus speaks about underlines the Sacrament of Reconciliation, where sins are forgiven without quantitative restriction.
• Protestant: Many Protestant denominations view this teaching as guiding the continual need for personal repentance and forgiveness in community life.
• Orthodox: Similar to Catholicism, the Eastern Orthodox Church sees this teaching as a call to habitual confession and forgiveness.
• Liberation Theology: This verse could be seen as a call to social forgiveness and ongoing reconciliation in communities that have experienced systemic oppression.

Practical Applications

This verse serves as practical guidance on forgiveness in everyday life, teaching individuals to:

• Extend forgiveness repeatedly and generously.
• Reflect on the profound forgiveness offered by God and try to emulate it.
• Cultivate a forgiving heart as a fundamental aspect of Christian discipleship.
• Not keep a record of wrongs in personal relationships.

Cross-References

• Luke 17:3-4: "Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him."

• 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."

Language Study

• "Forgive" (ἀφήσω, aphiēmi): This Greek word means to send away or to release.

It implies letting go of a debt or offense, not merely excusing it.

• "Seven times" (ἑπτάκις, heptakis): The number seven is significant in biblical literature, often symbolizing completeness or perfection.
• "Till" (ἕως, heōs): Implies a limit or end point in time.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparison with other cultural and religious traditions:

• Judaism: Forgiveness is also a significant concept, but it is typically expected that the offending party first seek atonement.
• Islam: The Quran encourages forgiveness and the letting go of anger, and it notes that God is oft-forgiving.
• Buddhism: Emphasizes forgiveness and compassion as part of its core teachings, often through the practice of meditation.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific research on forgiveness has shown that the act can have positive impacts on mental health, reducing stress, anger, and the potential for depression.

Moreover, the practice of forgiveness is associated with better cardiovascular health and lower mortality rates.

Commentaries

• John Calvin: He suggests that Jesus' command to forgive "seventy times seven" indicates the perfection of forgiveness, highlighting its infinite nature.
• William Barclay: Barclay notes that Jesus is essentially saying that forgiveness has no limits, and Christians are to forgive as often as God forgives them.
• **R.T.

France**: France emphasizes that forgiveness in the kingdom of heaven is not about arithmetic, but about the quality of the forgiving spirit that believers are called to emulate.