The Parables of Jesus - The Unforgiving Servant

Introduction

The theme we are going to see in today’s parable is of great importance, because when we have passed from death to life, through the narrow gate which is Jesus Christ — the one that leads to life — we have been washed from our sins by the precious blood of Jesus Christ, and by the grace of God, we have been justified before Him.

This divine work is the one willed by God to reconcile us to Himself, because He loved us first. He calls us to turn away from our ways of iniquity, so that we would no longer be condemned, but delivered from the power of sin that works in us — a condition that began when humanity was separated from God through Adam and Eve, who consciously disobeyed God, seeking to be like Him.

Yes, by faith in Jesus Christ and repentance toward God, we receive the forgiveness of our sins. This forgiveness is complete. But it is not obtained by a human work: it is the grace of God, received by faith, and accompanied by sincere repentance — a repentance that comes from the heart, that turns away from sin and turns toward God.

Thus, this grace is given to us according to the sovereign will of God, not by our own ability, but by the work of the Holy Spirit, who convicts, regenerates, and builds the Church of Christ — the one that recognizes His voice and follows Him despite circumstances.

So then, what should we do with this forgiveness from God? What is this grace that has been given to us? And why does God forgive us?

This is exactly the question that Peter is going to ask Jesus: “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” (Matthew 18:21)

And it is in response to this question that Jesus teaches the parable of the unforgiving servant.

“Then Peter came up and said to him, ‘Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.’” Matthew 18:21–22 (ESV)

Peter asks this question to Jesus after a few passages earlier in the same chapter, where He speaks about coming to Him like little children, in humility and trust, but also about dealing with sin in the assemblies of believers, giving a clear and detailed process of how brothers and sisters must act, in love, reconciliation, and restoration of the sinner, in a path of repentance and forgiveness.

Yes, Jesus clearly emphasizes repentance in this process of restoration. Without repentance, the relationship cannot be fully restored.

However, the forgiveness in the heart of the one who has been offended must not be conditioned by repentance, but must remain a constant disposition before God.

Confessing our offenses shows that the heart humbles itself and opens itself before the other, or at least that there is a concrete and visible act that shows the offender recognizes what truly happened.

If this act is not present, Jesus explains that it will lead to a serious consequence: a distance in fellowship, after a long, loving, and caring process (Matthew 18:17), not as a final rejection, but as the recognition of a lack of repentance, and therefore a consequence of the condition of the heart — a temporary break in visible fellowship, allowed by God for a time of restoration and reconciliation.

Therefore, it is not the fault of those who apply this process that should be pointed out, but rather the person who persists in rebellion despite the many opportunities given to confess and humble themselves with sincerity of heart before the brothers and sisters.

Then comes this question from Peter, a zealous and impulsive disciple, often at the front — whether when he stepped out of the boat to go toward Jesus walking on the water, or when he gave the first sermon at Pentecost by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Peter wants to know what the limit of forgiveness should be, how far we must go in forgiving those who have offended us.

In Jewish tradition, the number seven symbolizes fullness or perfection. It is often used in the Bible to express something complete.

When Peter suggests forgiving up to seven times, it already shows a certain generosity, because at that time, some rabbinic teachings limited forgiveness to three times.

This question prepares Jesus’ teaching: He will show that forgiveness must have no limit, not as a simple infinite calculation, but as the expression of a heart transformed by the grace of God.

When Jesus answers “seventy-seven times,” He brings an even deeper understanding of forgiveness — not as a number to reach, but as a way to break every human logic of counting, and to reveal the greatness of God’s forgiveness.

If the Spirit of God lives in us, His character must be reflected in our lives. This is the whole purpose of sanctification: to be progressively transformed by the work of the Spirit, so that we reflect the character of Christ, even in very practical things like forgiveness.

“Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.” Matthew 18:23–27 (ESV)

First, we see that this is about a kingdom, governed and ruled by a king. This king has the authority and the power to judge, to condemn, but also to show grace.

When the king calls his servants, it is not first to show grace, but to settle accounts — to establish justice and to show his authority in his kingdom.

To settle accounts means that the king calculates what his servants owe, and one of them is found owing ten thousand talents. But do we understand what ten thousand talents represents?

Ten thousand talents is an enormous amount. One talent was about 6,000 denarii, and one denarius was a day’s wage. That means one talent represents about twenty years of work. So ten thousand talents is a debt completely impossible to repay, far beyond any human capacity.

When the servant realizes that the king orders him and his whole family to be sold, and he understands the consequence of his debt, he falls down, begs for patience, and pleads before him, still thinking he can repay everything.

But the text shows something central: the king is moved with compassion, and he forgives him all the debt.

This first part of the parable brings us directly into the compassion and love of God toward those whom He has chosen and called, by His Spirit, through faith in Jesus Christ, His beloved Son.

This debt was far too heavy and impossible to repay in order for us to come near the majesty and holiness of God, and only His grace could deliver us.

This debt represents our sin — all rebellion, all addictions, all foolish things that have placed us in a position opposed to the King of heaven. It is when we humble ourselves, when we turn from our sinful ways, touched by the message of the Gospel, that sincere and visible repentance is expressed — and we receive the forgiveness of God.

His compassion and mercy were revealed in Jesus Christ. He, the King of kings, came down, left His throne of glory, lived among us, suffered on the cross, and carried the sin of the world, so that those who believe in Him may receive forgiveness and life.

Now, let us see how this servant, though forgiven, acts toward others after receiving such a great forgiveness.

“But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt.” Matthew 18:28–30 (ESV)

As soon as we read this, we feel a deep sense of injustice. How can a man who has just been forgiven such an enormous debt refuse to forgive such a small one?

And why such violence? There is here a strong contrast, intentionally given by Jesus, to show how the human heart forgets and seeks to bring justice by itself.

This servant wants to establish his own justice, to satisfy his own sense of vengeance, but this does not change his heart. The Bible teaches us that justice belongs to God. Nothing can truly heal a wounded heart unless it is transformed by the Holy Spirit.

Often, when we receive a favor from God, we quickly forget what He has done for us. This is the heart of the message. If our hearts are not transformed, we do not reflect His character.

What the passage tells us is simple: if we have not understood the compassion and mercy of God toward us, we cannot show that same compassion and mercy to others. Everything begins with the love of God first, and then flows toward others. We see again that the two greatest commandments are reflected in this parable.

“When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place.” Matthew 18:31 (ESV)

The reaction of the other servants is strong and even striking. They are deeply grieved by what they have seen.

We can see here an image of the Church: sin is not something that leaves us indifferent, and it is not ignored. It affects the body, and it is brought before the Lord.

We may see this situation like a brother or sister among us who commits a sin against God and against others. The first response is not judgment, but to bring this before the Father in prayer — to place the situation in His hands, and to intercede.

In the parable, this is a physical action: they go and report it to the master. In our case, it begins as a spiritual response before God. But if necessary, it may also take a visible form, through the actions of men and women of God, for the edification and correction of the body of Christ, which is His Church.

This reminds us that we are not called to ignore sin, but neither are we called to deal with it in our own way. We bring it before God, and we act according to His will, with humility, truth, and love.

“Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” Matthew 18:32-35 (ESV)

Here the master reminds the servant of what he had done for him. The word all is important, because it shows that the debt was completely forgiven.

The servant has nothing to say. He cannot answer, because the facts are clear. The master simply shows him that what he received, he did not show to others.

We also see that the text speaks first of a king and then of a master, but this does not change anything — it is the same authority. This reminds us that we have a Master, and as servants, we are called to reflect His character in our words and in our actions.

Yes, the master is angry because of his lack of compassion and mercy, because of his hardness and his violence. He chose to act according to his own justice, and this led him to judgment.

The last verse brings us face to face with a serious reality: the way we forgive shows what we have understood about the forgiveness we have experienced and truly understood through the grace of God — this infinite, unmerited favor that saves us from eternal separation from Him.

These jailers can also be understood as the consequences of our actions, connected to the condition of our deceitful heart, which God allows in order to correct us and transform us.

Any suffering is temporary for the one who truly repents, who humbles themselves before God, and who turns back from their ways — like the prodigal son who returns to the Father after leaving with everything he had. God is there, with open arms, for anyone who comes back to Him with a sincere heart and a desire to love Him fully.

That is to say: when we have confessed our sins and repented before the Father in heaven, He forgives us. In the same way, when a brother or a sister confesses their sins, asks for forgiveness, and repents toward God, we are to forgive as God has forgiven us. This shows the reflection of God’s character in our lives.

Conclusion

We have seen an immense debt…a complete forgiveness…and yet, a heart that refuses to forgive.

This text brings us face to face with a reality: the way we forgive reveals what we have understood about the grace of God. If we hold back forgiveness, if we keep bitterness, if we refuse to forgive, it shows that we need to come back to the cross.

And the Word of God confronts us clearly: “If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.” (1 John 4:20-21)

We cannot say that we love God if we refuse to forgive those whom we see.

Forgiveness restores us before God, but it does not always remove the consequences of our actions. We are forgiven, yet we may still reap what we have sown. And even in those consequences, God works to correct us, to humble us, and to transform our hearts.

But the grace of God is still there. It is sufficient to transform us. And it calls us to forgive as we have been forgiven.

Whether it is a brother, a sister, or anyone created in the image of God, it may be difficult and even painful, but only through the divine and supernatural work of the Holy Spirit can we walk in victory.