New Testament
Matthew 18:30
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But he refused. Instead, he had the man thrown into prison until the debt was paid in full.
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And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
What Matthew 18:30 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, we see a servant who has been forgiven a massive debt by his master. However, when a fellow servant owes him a much smaller amount, he refuses to show the same mercy. Instead, he has the man thrown into prison until the debt is repaid. This action highlights the hypocrisy of not extending the grace one has received to others. The refusal to forgive leads to severe consequences, illustrating the importance of mercy and compassion in our relationships. The servant's harsh treatment of his fellow servant contrasts sharply with the mercy he received, emphasizing that forgiveness should be a two-way street. This story serves as a powerful reminder of the need to forgive others as we have been forgiven, reflecting God's grace in our lives.
How to apply Matthew 18:30 to your life
This verse challenges us to reflect on our own willingness to forgive others. Just as we have received forgiveness from God, we are called to extend that same grace to those who wrong us. Holding onto grudges can lead to bitterness and separation from God.
Curated for this public verse page. Matthew Summary
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Illustrated scene from Peter's story: “How Many Times Shall I Forgive?” (Matthew 18:21–35)
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Peter
Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002725045). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Nazareth, Israel; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
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Nazareth
The small town in Galilee where Jesus grew up.
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At a Glance — the Book of Matthew
- Author
- Matthew the apostle
- Written
- Around AD 60-70
- Genre
- Gospel
- Original Audience
- Jewish Christians
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Matthew 18:30 mean?
Matthew 18:30 illustrates a servant who, despite being forgiven a large debt by his master, refuses to forgive a smaller debt owed to him. This highlights the importance of showing mercy to others, especially when we have received forgiveness ourselves.
What is the significance of forgiveness in Matthew 18:30?
The significance of forgiveness in Matthew 18:30 is that it emphasizes the need for mercy in our relationships. The servant's refusal to forgive demonstrates hypocrisy and the consequences of not extending grace to others.
What lesson can we learn from Matthew 18:30?
From Matthew 18:30, we learn that forgiveness should be reciprocal. It teaches us that holding onto grudges can lead to negative outcomes and that we should strive to forgive others as we have been forgiven.
What does the term 'debt' refer to in Matthew 18:30?
In Matthew 18:30, 'debt' refers to the financial obligations between the servants. It symbolizes the moral and spiritual debts we owe to one another and the importance of forgiving those debts.
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