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Matthew 18:26 Then the servant fell on his knees before him. 'Have patience with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.'
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class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/matthew/18.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter"> (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/matthew/18.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />“At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/matthew/18.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“But the man fell down before his master and begged him, ‘Please, be patient with me, and I will pay it all.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/matthew/18.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/matthew/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Have patience with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/18.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Therefore the servant, having fallen down, was bowing on his knees to him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay everything to you.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So the slave fell <i>to the ground</i> and prostrated himself before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />“So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“The slave therefore falling down, prostrated himself before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will repay you everything.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Therefore, the slave fell <i>to the ground</i> and was prostrating himself before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So the slave fell on his knees and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“At this, the servant fell facedown before him and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you everything.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“At this, the slave fell facedown before him and said, Be patient with me, and I will pay you everything!’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The servant therefore fell down and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The official got down on his knees and began begging, "Have pity on me, and I will pay you every cent I owe!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The servant therefore fell down and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Then the servant fell at his master's feet and said, 'Be patient with me, and I will repay everything!'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The servant fell on his knees before the king. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay you everything!' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Then the servant fell down and bowed low before him, saying, 'Be patient with me, and I will repay you everything!' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the servant fell on his knees before him. ?Master, have patience with me,? he begged, ?and I will pay back everything.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Then the slave threw himself to the ground before him, saying, 'Be patient with me, and I will repay you everything.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The servant therefore fell down and kneeled before him, saying, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will repay you all.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The servant therefore fell down, and worshiped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/18.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />The servant therefore falling down, prostrated himself at his feet and entreated him. "'Only give me time,' he said, 'and I will pay you the whole.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The servant therefore fell down and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, have patience with me, and I will repay you all!’ <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />The servant then, having fallen down, was prostrating to him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you all;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/18.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Therefore the servant, having fallen down, was bowing on his knees to him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay everything to you.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> The servant then, having fallen down, was bowing to him, saying, Sir, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Then the servant, having fallen, worshipped him, saying, Lord, be slow to anger towards me, and I will give back all to thee.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But that servant falling down, besought him, saying: Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But that servant, falling prostrate, begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will repay it all to you.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The servant then fell down, worshipped him, and said, My lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/18.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />And falling down, that servant worshiped him, and he said, “My Lord, be patient with me, and I shall pay you everything.”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/18.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />Therefore, the servant fell down and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, Lord, and I will pay you all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/18.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>Then that servant falling down, continued to worship him, saying, Be patient with me, and I will pay you all.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/18.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Then that servant falling prostrate, paid him the most profound homage, saying, Lord, have forbearance with me, and I will pay thee all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/18.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />the servant therefore fell prostrate before him, and cry'd out, Lord, allow me but time and I will pay the whole.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/18.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />The servant therefore falling down, prostrated himself at his feet and entreated him. "'Only give me time,' he said, 'and I will pay you the whole.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/18.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>The servant, falling down, therefore, was bowing to him, saying, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.'<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/18.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>The servant therefore fell prostrate before him, saying, Lord, bear with me a while, and I will pay thee all:<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/18-26.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=5275" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/matthew/18.htm">The Unforgiving Servant</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">25</span>Since the man was unable to pay, the master ordered that he be sold to pay his debt, along with his wife and children and everything he owned. <span class="reftext">26</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/3767.htm" title="3767: oun (Conj) -- Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.">Then</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/1401.htm" title="1401: doulos (N-NMS) -- (a) (as adj.) enslaved, (b) (as noun) a (male) slave. From deo; a slave.">servant</a> <a href="/greek/4098.htm" title="4098: Pesōn (V-APA-NMS) -- A reduplicated and contracted form of peto; probably akin to petomai through the idea of alighting; to fall.">fell</a> <a href="/greek/4352.htm" title="4352: prosekynei (V-IIA-3S) -- From pros and a probable derivative of kuon; to fawn or crouch to, i.e. prostrate oneself in homage.">on his knees</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">before him.</a> <a href="/greek/3114.htm" title="3114: Makrothymēson (V-AMA-2S) -- From the same as makrothumos; to be long-spirited, i.e. forbearing or patient.">‘Have patience</a> <a href="/greek/1909.htm" title="1909: ep’ (Prep) -- On, to, against, on the basis of, at. ">with</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: emoi (PPro-D1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">me,’</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">he begged,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">‘and</a> <a href="/greek/591.htm" title="591: apodōsō (V-FIA-1S) -- From apo and didomi; to give away, i.e. Up, over, back, etc.">I will pay</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: soi (PPro-D2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">back</a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: panta (Adj-ANP) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">everything.’</a> </span> <span class="reftext">27</span>His master had compassion on him, forgave his debt, and released him.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/18-29.htm">Matthew 18:29</a></span><br />So his fellow servant fell down and begged him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you back.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/7-41.htm">Luke 7:41-42</a></span><br />“Two men were debtors to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. / When they were unable to repay him, he forgave both of them. Which one, then, will love him more?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-12.htm">Matthew 6:12</a></span><br />And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-14.htm">Matthew 6:14-15</a></span><br />For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. / But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/17-3.htm">Luke 17:3-4</a></span><br />Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. / Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-32.htm">Ephesians 4:32</a></span><br />Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-13.htm">Colossians 3:13</a></span><br />Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-13.htm">James 2:13</a></span><br />For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-19.htm">Romans 12:19</a></span><br />Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/19-17.htm">Proverbs 19:17</a></span><br />Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/86-5.htm">Psalm 86:5</a></span><br />For You, O Lord, are kind and forgiving, rich in loving devotion to all who call on You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/103-8.htm">Psalm 103:8-10</a></span><br />The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. / He will not always accuse us, nor harbor His anger forever. / He has not dealt with us according to our sins or repaid us according to our iniquities.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/34-6.htm">Exodus 34:6-7</a></span><br />Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness, / maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/9-17.htm">Nehemiah 9:17</a></span><br />They refused to listen and failed to remember the wonders You performed among them. They stiffened their necks and appointed a leader to return them to their bondage in Egypt. But You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in loving devotion, and You did not forsake them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/9-9.htm">Daniel 9:9</a></span><br />To the Lord our God belong compassion and forgiveness, even though we have rebelled against Him</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.</p><p class="hdg">worshipped him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/18-29.htm">Matthew 18:29</a></b></br> And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/7-43.htm">Luke 7:43</a></b></br> Simon answered and said, I suppose that <i>he</i>, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/10-3.htm">Romans 10:3</a></b></br> For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/15-23.htm">Begged</a> <a href="/matthew/15-25.htm">Bowing</a> <a href="/matthew/15-25.htm">Entreated</a> <a href="/matthew/18-10.htm">Face</a> <a href="/zechariah/11-2.htm">Fallen</a> <a href="/matthew/18-7.htm">Falling</a> <a href="/matthew/18-8.htm">Feet</a> <a href="/matthew/17-14.htm">Fell</a> <a href="/matthew/17-6.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/matthew/15-25.htm">Homage</a> <a href="/matthew/8-5.htm">Imploring</a> <a href="/daniel/6-10.htm">Kneeled</a> <a href="/matthew/17-14.htm">Knees</a> <a href="/jeremiah/15-15.htm">Patience</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-8.htm">Patient</a> <a href="/matthew/18-25.htm">Pay</a> <a href="/matthew/18-25.htm">Payment</a> <a href="/matthew/2-11.htm">Prostrated</a> <a href="/matthew/18-25.htm">Repay</a> <a href="/matthew/12-18.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/matthew/10-25.htm">Slave</a> <a href="/matthew/18-1.htm">Time</a> <a href="/matthew/16-26.htm">Whole</a> <a href="/matthew/15-25.htm">Worshiped</a> <a href="/matthew/15-25.htm">Worshipped</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/18-29.htm">Begged</a> <a href="/matthew/20-20.htm">Bowing</a> <a href="/matthew/18-29.htm">Entreated</a> <a href="/matthew/18-29.htm">Face</a> <a href="/matthew/27-52.htm">Fallen</a> <a href="/matthew/21-44.htm">Falling</a> <a href="/matthew/18-29.htm">Feet</a> <a href="/matthew/18-29.htm">Fell</a> <a href="/matthew/18-29.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/matthew/20-20.htm">Homage</a> <a href="/mark/5-18.htm">Imploring</a> <a href="/matthew/27-29.htm">Kneeled</a> <a href="/matthew/27-29.htm">Knees</a> <a href="/matthew/18-29.htm">Patience</a> <a href="/matthew/18-29.htm">Patient</a> <a href="/matthew/18-28.htm">Pay</a> <a href="/matthew/18-28.htm">Payment</a> <a href="/matthew/28-17.htm">Prostrated</a> <a href="/matthew/18-29.htm">Repay</a> <a href="/matthew/18-27.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/matthew/18-27.htm">Slave</a> <a href="/matthew/18-29.htm">Time</a> <a href="/matthew/20-12.htm">Whole</a> <a href="/matthew/28-9.htm">Worshiped</a> <a href="/matthew/28-9.htm">Worshipped</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 18</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/18-1.htm">Jesus warns his disciples to be humble and harmless,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/18-7.htm">to avoid offenses,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/18-10.htm">and not to despise the little ones;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/18-15.htm">teaches how we are to deal with our brothers when they offend us,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/18-21.htm">and how often to forgive them;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/18-23.htm">which he sets forth by a parable of the king who took account of his servants,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">32. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/18-32.htm">and punished him who showed no mercy to his fellow servant.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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This act of humility reflects the servant's acknowledgment of the master's authority and his own helplessness. Kneeling is often associated with prayer and supplication in the Bible, as seen in <a href="/daniel/6-10.htm">Daniel 6:10</a> and <a href="/acts/9-40.htm">Acts 9:40</a>, symbolizing a posture of earnest pleading and reverence. The servant's action here is a physical manifestation of his urgent plea for mercy.<p><b>‘Have patience with me,’ he begged,</b><br>The plea for patience indicates the servant's recognition of his inability to repay the debt immediately. Patience, or longsuffering, is a virtue extolled throughout Scripture, as seen in <a href="/galatians/5-22.htm">Galatians 5:22</a>, where it is listed as a fruit of the Spirit. The servant's request highlights the human need for grace and mercy, themes central to the teachings of Jesus. This plea also reflects the broader biblical narrative of God's patience with humanity, as seen in <a href="/2_peter/3-9.htm">2 Peter 3:9</a>, where God is described as patient, not wanting anyone to perish.<p><b>‘and I will pay back everything.’</b><br>The promise to repay the debt, though likely impossible given the servant's situation, demonstrates a willingness to make amends and a desire to restore what was owed. This reflects the biblical principle of restitution found in passages like <a href="/exodus/22.htm">Exodus 22:1-14</a>, where making things right is a key aspect of justice. However, the hyperbolic nature of the debt in the parable (<a href="/matthew/18-24.htm">Matthew 18:24</a>) underscores the futility of human efforts to repay the spiritual debt of sin, pointing to the need for divine forgiveness. This phrase also foreshadows the ultimate forgiveness offered through Christ, who pays the debt of sin on behalf of humanity, as seen in <a href="/colossians/2-13.htm">Colossians 2:13-14</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_servant.htm">The Servant</a></b><br>Represents a debtor who owes a significant amount to his master. His plea for patience highlights his desperation and acknowledgment of his inability to repay immediately.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_master.htm">The Master</a></b><br>Symbolizes authority and power, having the ability to forgive or demand repayment. His response to the servant's plea is central to the parable's message of mercy and forgiveness.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_debt.htm">The Debt</a></b><br>Represents the insurmountable burden of sin or obligation that the servant cannot repay on his own, illustrating the need for grace.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_act_of_kneeling.htm">The Act of Kneeling</a></b><br>A gesture of humility and submission, indicating the servant's recognition of his position and his appeal for mercy.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_plea_for_patience.htm">The Plea for Patience</a></b><br>Highlights the servant's hope for mercy and time, reflecting a deeper spiritual need for divine grace and forgiveness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/h/humility_in_seeking_forgiveness.htm">Humility in Seeking Forgiveness</a></b><br>The servant's act of kneeling and pleading for patience is a model for how believers should approach God, acknowledging their need for His mercy.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_nature_of_true_repentance.htm">The Nature of True Repentance</a></b><br>True repentance involves recognizing one's inability to repay the debt of sin and earnestly seeking God's grace.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_patience_and_mercy.htm">God's Patience and Mercy</a></b><br>Just as the master has the power to forgive, God is patient and merciful, willing to forgive those who come to Him with a contrite heart.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_forgiving_others.htm">The Importance of Forgiving Others</a></b><br>As recipients of God's forgiveness, believers are called to extend the same grace and patience to others who are indebted to them.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_provision.htm">Trust in God's Provision</a></b><br>The servant's plea reflects a trust in the master's ability to provide time and mercy, reminding believers to trust in God's provision and timing.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 18</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/did_peter_deny_jesus_thrice.htm">Did Peter deny knowing Jesus three times?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/did_judas_kiss_jesus.htm">Did Judas kiss Jesus? Yes (Matthew 26:48-50) No. Judas could not get close enough to Jesus to kiss him (John 18:3-12)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_isaiah_53_7_with_gospels.htm">According to Isaiah 53:7, the servant remains silent when oppressed, yet in the Gospels Jesus speaks during his trials--how do we reconcile this contradiction?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_matthew's_arrest_account_differ.htm">Considering the multiple Gospel narratives, why does Matthew 26:47-56 differ in certain arrest details compared to other accounts, raising questions about historical consistency?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(26) <span class= "bld">Fell down, and worshipped him.</span>--The word implies simply the prostrate homage of a servant crouching before his master.<p><span class= "bld">I will pay thee all.</span>--The promise was, under such circumstances, an idle boast, but it describes with singular aptness the first natural impulse of one who is roused to a sense of the exceeding sinfulness of sin. He will try to balance the account as by a series of instalments; he will score righteous acts in the future as a set-off against the transgressions of the past. In theological language, he seeks to be "justified by works."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 26.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Worshipped him.</span> Prostrated himself before the monarch, and in this abject attitude sued for mercy. <span class="cmt_word">Have patience with me.</span> Be long suffering in my case; give me time. <span class="cmt_word">And I will pay thee all.</span> In his terror and anguish, he promises impossible things; even the revenues of a province would not in any convenient time supply this deficiency. The scene is very true to life. To save himself from a present difficulty, a debtor will make any promise that occurs to him, without considering whether he will ever be in a position to fulfil it. The defaulter in the parable must have thought well of the king's generosity and tenderheartedness to make such a proposition at this extreme moment. If we take the spiritual sense of the parable, we see that no sinner could offer to pay, much less pay, the debt due from him to his Lord, "so that must be let alone forever" (<a href="/psalms/49-8.htm">Psalm 49:8</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/18-26.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">Then</span><br /><span class="grk">οὖν</span> <span class="translit">(oun)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3767.htm">Strong's 3767: </a> </span><span class="str2">Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">ὁ</span> <span class="translit">(ho)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">servant</span><br /><span class="grk">δοῦλος</span> <span class="translit">(doulos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1401.htm">Strong's 1401: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) (as adj.) enslaved, (b) (as noun) a (male) slave. From deo; a slave.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">fell</span><br /><span class="grk">Πεσὼν</span> <span class="translit">(Pesōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4098.htm">Strong's 4098: </a> </span><span class="str2">A reduplicated and contracted form of peto; probably akin to petomai through the idea of alighting; to fall.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on his knees</span><br /><span class="grk">προσεκύνει</span> <span class="translit">(prosekynei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4352.htm">Strong's 4352: </a> </span><span class="str2">From pros and a probable derivative of kuon; to fawn or crouch to, i.e. prostrate oneself in homage.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">before him.</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτῷ</span> <span class="translit">(autō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">‘Have patience</span><br /><span class="grk">Μακροθύμησον</span> <span class="translit">(Makrothymēson)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3114.htm">Strong's 3114: </a> </span><span class="str2">From the same as makrothumos; to be long-spirited, i.e. forbearing or patient.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐπ’</span> <span class="translit">(ep’)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1909.htm">Strong's 1909: </a> </span><span class="str2">On, to, against, on the basis of, at. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">me,’</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐμοί</span> <span class="translit">(emoi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> </span><span class="str2">I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he begged,</span><br /><span class="grk">λέγων</span> <span class="translit">(legōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">‘and</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">I will pay</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀποδώσω</span> <span class="translit">(apodōsō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_591.htm">Strong's 591: </a> </span><span class="str2">From apo and didomi; to give away, i.e. Up, over, back, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">back</span><br /><span class="grk">σοι</span> <span class="translit">(soi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> </span><span class="str2">You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">everything.’</span><br /><span class="grk">πάντα</span> <span class="translit">(panta)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> </span><span class="str2">All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/18-26.htm">Matthew 18:26 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/18-26.htm">Matthew 18:26 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/18-26.htm">Matthew 18:26 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/18-26.htm">Matthew 18:26 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/18-26.htm">Matthew 18:26 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/18-26.htm">Matthew 18:26 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/18-26.htm">Matthew 18:26 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/18-26.htm">Matthew 18:26 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/18-26.htm">Matthew 18:26 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/18-26.htm">Matthew 18:26 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/18-26.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 18:26 The servant therefore fell down and kneeled (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/18-25.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 18:25"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 18:25" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/18-27.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 18:27"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 18:27" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>