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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 18:35 That is how My heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/18-35.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/40_Mat_18_35.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 18:35 - The Unforgiving Servant" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="That is how My heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart." /><script type="application/javascript" 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cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad15.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/18-34.htm" title="Matthew 18:34">◄</a> Matthew 18:35 <a href="/matthew/19-1.htm" title="Matthew 19:1">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<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"><a href="/niv/matthew/18.htm">New International Version</a> &#8220This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/matthew/18.htm">New Living Translation</a> “That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart.” <a href="/esv/matthew/18.htm">English Standard Version</a> So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” <a href="/bsb/matthew/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> That is how My heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.” <a href="/blb/matthew/18.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Thus also My Heavenly Father will do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from your heart." <a href="/kjv/matthew/18.htm">King James Bible</a> So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/18.htm">New King James Version</a> “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.” <a href="/nasb_/matthew/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.” <a href="/nasb/matthew/18.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/matthew/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “So shall My heavenly Father also do to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.” <a href="/lsb/matthew/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your hearts.” <a href="/amp/matthew/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a> My heavenly Father will also do the same to [every one of] you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.” <a href="/csb/matthew/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> So also my heavenly Father will do to you unless every one of you forgives his brother or sister from your heart.” <a href="/hcsb/matthew/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> So My heavenly Father will also do to you if each of you does not forgive his brother from his heart.&#8221 <a href="/asv/matthew/18.htm">American Standard Version</a> So shall also my heavenly Father do unto you, if ye forgive not every one his brother from your hearts. <a href="/cev/matthew/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> That is how my Father in heaven will treat you, if you don't forgive each of my followers with all your heart. <a href="/erv/matthew/18.htm">English Revised Version</a> So shall also my heavenly Father do unto you, if ye forgive not every one his brother from your hearts. <a href="/gwt/matthew/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> That is what my Father in heaven will do to you if each of you does not sincerely forgive other believers." <a href="/gnt/matthew/18.htm">Good News Translation</a> And Jesus concluded, "That is how my Father in heaven will treat every one of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart." <a href="/isv/matthew/18.htm">International Standard Version</a> This is how my heavenly Father will treat each one of you unless you forgive your brother from your hearts." <a href="/net/matthew/18.htm">NET Bible</a> So also my heavenly Father will do to you, if each of you does not forgive your brother from your heart." <a href="/nheb/matthew/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> So my heavenly Father will also do to you, if you do not each forgive your brother his trespasses from your heart." <a href="/wbt/matthew/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> So likewise shall my heavenly Father do to you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. <a href="/wey/matthew/18.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "In the same way my Heavenly Father will deal with you, if you do not all of you forgive one another from your hearts."<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/matthew/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> That is how My heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother his trespasses from your heart.” <a href="/web/matthew/18.htm">World English Bible</a> So my heavenly Father will also do to you, if you don’t each forgive your brother from your hearts for his misdeeds.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> so also My heavenly Father will do to you, if you may not forgive each one his brother from your hearts their trespasses.” <a href="/blb/matthew/18.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Thus also My Heavenly Father will do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from your heart." <a href="/ylt/matthew/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> so also my heavenly Father will do to you, if ye may not forgive each one his brother from your hearts their trespasses.' <a href="/slt/matthew/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> So also will my heavenly Father do to you, if ye let not go each to his brother from your hearts their falls.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> So also shall my heavenly Father do to you, if you forgive not every one his brother from your hearts. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> So, too, shall my heavenly Father do to you, if each one of you will not forgive his brother from your hearts.” <a href="/nabre/matthew/18.htm">New American Bible</a> So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.” <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> So will my Father in heaven do to you, if you do not forgive each man his brother’s fault from your heart. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/18.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> So my Father who is in Heaven will do to you unless each of you forgives his brother his offenses from your heart.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/18.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> So also will my heavenly Father do to you, if, from your hearts, you forgive not every one his brother's offenses. <a href="/godbey/matthew/18.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>Thus my Heavenly Father will also do unto you, if you do not forgive each one his brother from your hearts.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/18.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Even so also will my heavenly Father do to you, except ye forgive every one of you his brother, from your hearts, their trespasses.<CM> <a href="/mace/matthew/18.htm">Mace New Testament</a> in the same manner will my heavenly father likewise treat you, if ye do not sincerely forgive every one the trespasses of his brother. <a href="/wey/matthew/18.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "In the same way my Heavenly Father will deal with you, if you do not all of you forgive one another from your hearts." <a href="/worrell/matthew/18.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>So also will My Heavenly Father do to you, if ye forgive not, each one his brother, from your hearts."<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/18.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>Thus will my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye forgive not every one his brother from your hearts their trespasses.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/18-35.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=5350" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/18.htm">The Unforgiving Servant</a> …34In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should repay all that he owed. 35<a href="/greek/3779.htm" title="3779: Houtōs (Adv) -- Thus, so, in this manner. Or (referring to what precedes or follows).">That is how</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: mou (PPro-G1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">My</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."></a> <a href="/greek/3770.htm" title="3770: ouranios (Adj-NMS) -- In heaven, belonging to heaven, heavenly, from heaven. From ouranos; celestial, i.e. Belonging to or coming from the sky.">heavenly</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."></a> <a href="/greek/3962.htm" title="3962: Patēr (N-NMS) -- Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a father.">Father</a> <a href="/greek/4160.htm" title="4160: poiēsei (V-FIA-3S) -- (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.">will treat</a> <a href="/greek/1538.htm" title="1538: hekastos (Adj-NMS) -- Each (of more than two), every one. As if a superlative of hekas; each or every.">each of</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymin (PPro-D2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you</a> <a href="/greek/1437.htm" title="1437: ean (Conj) -- If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.">unless</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether."></a> <a href="/greek/863.htm" title="863: aphēte (V-ASA-2P) -- From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications.">you forgive</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">your</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/80.htm" title="80: adelphō (N-DMS) -- A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.">brother</a> <a href="/greek/575.htm" title="575: apo (Prep) -- From, away from. A primary particle; off, i.e. Away, in various senses.">from</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymōn (PPro-G2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">your</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GFP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2588.htm" title="2588: kardiōn (N-GFP) -- Prolonged from a primary kar; the heart, i.e. the thoughts or feelings; also the middle.">heart.”</a> <div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/6-14.htm">Matthew 6:14-15</a> 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. <a href="/mark/11-25.htm">Mark 11:25-26</a> And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against another, forgive it, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your trespasses as well.” / But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses. <a href="/luke/6-37.htm">Luke 6:37</a> Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. <a href="/luke/11-4.htm">Luke 11:4</a> And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’” <a href="/ephesians/4-32.htm">Ephesians 4:32</a> Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you. <a href="/colossians/3-13.htm">Colossians 3:13</a> Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. <a href="/james/2-13.htm">James 2:13</a> For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. <a href="/james/5-9.htm">James 5:9</a> Do not complain about one another, brothers, so that you will not be judged. Look, the Judge is standing at the door! <a href="/1_john/4-20.htm">1 John 4:20-21</a> If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. / And we have this commandment from Him: Whoever loves God must love his brother as well. <a href="/romans/12-19.htm">Romans 12:19</a> 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.” <a href="/proverbs/21-13.htm">Proverbs 21:13</a> Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer. <a href="/proverbs/24-29.htm">Proverbs 24:29</a> Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will repay the man according to his work.” <a href="/genesis/50-17.htm">Genesis 50:17</a> ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I beg you, please forgive the transgression and sin of your brothers, for they did you wrong.’ So now, Joseph, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept. <a href="/leviticus/19-18.htm">Leviticus 19:18</a> Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD. <a href="/deuteronomy/29-19.htm">Deuteronomy 29:19-20</a> because when such a person hears the words of this oath, he invokes a blessing on himself, saying, ‘I will have peace, even though I walk in the stubbornness of my own heart.’ This will bring disaster on the watered land as well as the dry. / The LORD will never be willing to forgive him. Instead, His anger and jealousy will burn against that man, and every curse written in this book will fall upon him. The LORD will blot out his name from under heaven</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also to you, if you from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.do.<a href="/matthew/6-12.htm">Matthew 6:12,14,15</a> And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors… <a href="/matthew/7-1.htm">Matthew 7:1,2</a> Judge not, that ye be not judged… <a href="/proverbs/21-13.htm">Proverbs 21:13</a> Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.from.<a href="/proverbs/21-2.htm">Proverbs 21:2</a> Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.<a href="/jeremiah/3-10.htm">Jeremiah 3:10</a> And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the LORD.<a href="/zechariah/7-12.htm">Zechariah 7:12</a> Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/17-15.htm">Deal</a> <a href="/matthew/18-32.htm">Forgive</a> <a href="/matthew/18-21.htm">Forgiveness</a> <a href="/matthew/18-3.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/matthew/15-8.htm">Hearts</a> <a href="/matthew/18-23.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/matthew/15-13.htm">Heavenly</a> <a href="/matthew/7-17.htm">Likewise</a> <a href="/psalms/99-8.htm">Misdeeds</a> <a href="/matthew/18-17.htm">Treat</a> <a href="/matthew/6-15.htm">Trespasses</a> <a href="/matthew/18-3.htm">Unless</a> <a href="/matthew/18-33.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/20-30.htm">Deal</a> <a href="/mark/2-7.htm">Forgive</a> <a href="/matthew/26-28.htm">Forgiveness</a> <a href="/matthew/19-8.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/matthew/19-8.htm">Hearts</a> <a href="/matthew/19-12.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/matthew/21-25.htm">Heavenly</a> <a href="/matthew/20-5.htm">Likewise</a> <a href="/romans/8-13.htm">Misdeeds</a> <a href="/matthew/24-51.htm">Treat</a> <a href="/mark/11-25.htm">Trespasses</a> <a href="/matthew/24-22.htm">Unless</a> <a href="/matthew/19-8.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 18</div>1. <a href="/matthew/18-1.htm">Jesus warns his disciples to be humble and harmless,</a> 7. <a href="/matthew/18-7.htm">to avoid offenses,</a> 10. <a href="/matthew/18-10.htm">and not to despise the little ones;</a> 15. <a href="/matthew/18-15.htm">teaches how we are to deal with our brothers when they offend us,</a> 21. <a href="/matthew/18-21.htm">and how often to forgive them;</a> 23. <a href="/matthew/18-23.htm">which he sets forth by a parable of the king who took account of his servants,</a> 32. <a href="/matthew/18-32.htm">and punished him who showed no mercy to his fellow servant.</a> </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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/18.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>That is how My heavenly Father will treat each of you This phrase concludes the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, emphasizing the seriousness of forgiveness. The parable illustrates the kingdom of heaven's principles, where God's mercy is extended to those who show mercy. The "heavenly Father" is a term that underscores God's authority and paternal relationship with believers. The treatment mentioned refers to the consequences of failing to forgive, as seen in the parable where the unforgiving servant is handed over to the jailers. This reflects the biblical principle of divine justice, where God's treatment of individuals mirrors their actions towards others (<a href="/matthew/6-14.htm">Matthew 6:14-15</a>).unless you forgive your brother Forgiveness is a central theme in Jesus' teachings, highlighting the necessity of forgiving others as a reflection of God's forgiveness towards us. The term "brother" indicates fellow believers, emphasizing the importance of maintaining unity and love within the Christian community. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative that calls for reconciliation and peace among God's people (<a href="/ephesians/4-32.htm">Ephesians 4:32</a>). The cultural context of the time placed a high value on familial and community relationships, making forgiveness essential for social harmony.from your heart. The phrase "from your heart" signifies genuine, heartfelt forgiveness, not merely a superficial or obligatory act. This internal transformation is a work of the Holy Spirit, aligning with the biblical call for believers to exhibit the fruits of the Spirit, such as love and kindness (<a href="/galatians/5-22.htm">Galatians 5:22-23</a>). The heart, in biblical terms, represents the center of one's being, including emotions, will, and intellect. Thus, forgiveness must be sincere and complete, reflecting the depth of God's forgiveness towards humanity. This teaching challenges believers to examine their motives and attitudes, ensuring that their actions are rooted in true compassion and grace.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The speaker of this verse, Jesus is teaching His disciples about the importance of forgiveness. 2. <a href="/topical/h/heavenly_father.htm">Heavenly Father</a> Refers to God, emphasizing His role as a just and merciful Father who expects His children to forgive others. 3. <a href="/topical/d/disciples.htm">Disciples</a> The immediate audience of Jesus' teaching, representing all believers who are called to live according to His teachings. 4. <a href="/topical/p/parable_of_the_unforgiving_servant.htm">Parable of the Unforgiving Servant</a> The context of this verse, where Jesus tells a account about a servant who, after being forgiven a great debt, refuses to forgive a smaller debt owed to him. 5. <a href="/topical/b/brother.htm">Brother</a> Symbolizes fellow believers or anyone with whom one has a relationship, highlighting the personal nature of forgiveness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_heart_of_forgiveness.htm">The Heart of Forgiveness</a> True forgiveness must come from the heart, not just as an outward act. It involves a sincere release of resentment and a willingness to restore relationships. <a href="/topical/d/divine_expectation.htm">Divine Expectation</a> God expects His children to forgive others as He has forgiven them. This expectation is rooted in His character and the grace He extends to us. <a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_unforgiveness.htm">Consequences of Unforgiveness</a> Unforgiveness can lead to spiritual consequences, including a barrier in our relationship with God, as illustrated in the parable. <a href="/topical/r/reflecting_god's_mercy.htm">Reflecting God's Mercy</a> As recipients of God's mercy, believers are called to reflect that mercy in their interactions with others, demonstrating the transformative power of the Gospel. <a href="/topical/p/practical_forgiveness.htm">Practical Forgiveness</a> Forgiveness is a daily practice that requires reliance on the Holy Spirit, prayer, and a commitment to follow Christ's example.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 18</a> <a href="/q/does_the_bible_endorse_praying_to_angels.htm">What does the Bible say about praying to angels?</a> <a href="/q/what_did_jesus_pray_for.htm">What did Jesus pray for during His ministry?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_proverbs_18_19_align_with_forgiveness.htm">Proverbs 18:19: How does 'an offended brother' being harder to win back than a fortified city align with the Bible's emphasis on immediate forgiveness?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_matthew_18_18_align_with_divine_authority.htm">Matthew 18:18 - How does the promise of binding and loosing on earth affecting heaven align with other biblical texts on divine authority?</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>(35) My heavenly Father.--The adjective is slightly different in form from that commonly used, suggesting rather the thought of the "Father in heaven."Do also unto you.--The words cut through the meshes of many theological systems by which men have deceived themselves. Men have trusted in the self-assurance of justification, in the absolving words of the priest, as though they were final and irreversible. The parable teaches that the debt may come back. If faith does not work by love, it ceases to justify. If the man bind himself once again to his old evil nature, the absolution is annulled. The characters of the discharge are traced (to use another similitude) as in sympathetic ink, and appear or disappear according to the greater or less glow of the faith and love of the pardoned debtor.From your hearts.--A verbal, formal forgiveness does not satisfy the demands of the divine righteousness. God does not so forgive, neither should man.Every one his brother their trespasses.--The two last words are not in some of the best MSS., and have probably been added to make the verse correspond with <a href="/context/matthew/6-14.htm" title="For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:">Matthew 6:14-15</a>.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 35. - So likewise. This points to the moral of the parable intended by Christ. It is not a lesson against ingratitude, but against unmercifulness. "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." But want of charity makes a man incapable of retaining God's pardon; the Holy Spirit cannot abide in an unforgiving soul. My heavenly Father. He says, not "your" (<a href="/matthew/6-14.htm">Matthew 6:14, 26</a>), nor "our," but "my heavenly Father," the Father of Christ, the God of all mercies. He cannot join himself in mention with such as are not children of God. From your hearts. Forgiveness must be real, sincere, not pretended, nor merely outward. There must not only be no outward act of revenge, but no malice in the heart, no storing up of evil passions for future outlet, as occasion may arise. The heart must be in harmony with the conduct, and both must evidence a true spirit of charity. This alone enables one to continue in a state of grace and in reconciliation with God; this alone makes prayer acceptable; and we are assured that, as our heavenly Father requires us to forgive without limit, so his mercy is infinite and will be extended to us in measure unbounded. Their trespasses. These words are omitted by many manuscripts, the Vulgate, and most modern editors; and they are not required by the sense. They have been, perhaps, added to obviate a certain abruptness in the conclusion of the parable. <a href="/commentaries/matthew/18-35.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>That is how Οὕτως (Houtōs) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3779.htm">Strong's 3779: </a> Thus, so, in this manner. Or (referring to what precedes or follows). My μου (mou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. Heavenly οὐράνιος (ouranios) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3770.htm">Strong's 3770: </a> In heaven, belonging to heaven, heavenly, from heaven. From ouranos; celestial, i.e. Belonging to or coming from the sky. Father Πατήρ (Patēr) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3962.htm">Strong's 3962: </a> Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'. will treat ποιήσει (poiēsei) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4160.htm">Strong's 4160: </a> (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do. each of ἕκαστος (hekastos) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1538.htm">Strong's 1538: </a> Each (of more than two), every one. As if a superlative of hekas; each or every. you, ὑμῖν (hymin) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. unless ἐὰν (ean) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1437.htm">Strong's 1437: </a> If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc. you forgive ἀφῆτε (aphēte) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_863.htm">Strong's 863: </a> From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications. [your] αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. brother ἀδελφῷ (adelphō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_80.htm">Strong's 80: </a> A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote. from ἀπὸ (apo) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_575.htm">Strong's 575: </a> From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses. your ὑμῶν (hymōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. heart.” καρδιῶν (kardiōn) Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2588.htm">Strong's 2588: </a> Prolonged from a primary kar; the heart, i.e. the thoughts or feelings; also the middle. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/18-35.htm">Matthew 18:35 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/18-35.htm">Matthew 18:35 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/18-35.htm">Matthew 18:35 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/18-35.htm">Matthew 18:35 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/18-35.htm">Matthew 18:35 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/18-35.htm">Matthew 18:35 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/18-35.htm">Matthew 18:35 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/18-35.htm">Matthew 18:35 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/18-35.htm">Matthew 18:35 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/18-35.htm">Matthew 18:35 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/18-35.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 18:35 So my heavenly Father will also do (Matt. 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