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Matthew 18:32 Then the master summoned him and declared, 'You wicked servant! I forgave all your debt because you begged me.
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I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/matthew/18.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/matthew/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the master summoned him and said, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave all your debt because you begged me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/18.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Then his master having called him, says to him, 'Evil servant, I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then summoning him, his master said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />“Then summoning him, his lord said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Then summoning him, his lord said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you entreated me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then summoning him, his lord said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then his master called him and said to him, ‘You wicked <i>and</i> contemptible slave, I forgave all that [great] debt of yours because you begged me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then, after he had summoned him, his master said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Then, after he had summoned him, his master said to him, You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Then his lord called him unto him, and saith to him, Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou besoughtest me:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The king called the first official back in and said, "You're an evil man! When you begged for mercy, I said you did not have to pay back a cent. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Then his lord called him unto him, and saith to him, Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou besoughtest me:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Then his master sent for him and said to him, 'You evil servant! I canceled your entire debt, because you begged me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />So he called the servant in. 'You worthless slave!' he said. 'I forgave you the whole amount you owed me, just because you asked me to. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Then his master sent for him and told him, 'You evil servant! I canceled that entire debt for you because you begged me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the master summoned him and said, ?You wicked servant! I forgave all your debt because you begged me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Then his lord called the first slave and said to him, 'Evil slave! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Then his lord called him in, and said to him, 'You wicked servant. I forgave you all that debt, because you begged me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Then his lord, having called him, said to him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/18.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />At once his master called him and said, "'Wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt, because you entreated me:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Then his lord called him in and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />then having called him, his lord says to him, Evil servant! All that debt I forgave you, seeing you called on me;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/18.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Then his master having called him, says to him, 'Evil servant, I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> then having called him, his lord saith to him, Evil servant! all that debt I did forgive thee, seeing thou didst call upon me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Then his lord, having called him, said unto him, O thou evil servant, I let go to you all that debt since thou besoughtest me:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Then his lord called him; and said to him: Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all the debt, because thou besoughtest me: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Then his lord called him, and he said to him: ‘You wicked servant, I forgave you all your debt, because you pleaded with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Then his master called him and said to him, O wicked servant, I cancelled all your debt because you begged me.<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 />Then his lord called him, and said to him, “You wicked servant, I forgave you that entire debt because you begged me.”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/18.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />Then his lord called him and said to him: Wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt, because you besought me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/18.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>Then his lord calling him says to him, Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, since thou didst intreat me:<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/18.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Then his lord, calling him before him, said to him, Thou vile slave! all that debt I forgave thee, because thou besoughtest me:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/18.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />then his lord order'd him to be call'd, and said to him, O thou wicked slave, I forgave thee all thy debt, upon your request:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/18.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />At once his master called him and said, "'Wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt, because you entreated me:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/18.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>"Then, calling him to <i>him</i>, his lord says to him, 'Evil servant! I forgave you all that debt, because you besought me.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/18.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>Then his lord called for him <Fr><i>again,</i><FR> and said to him, Thou wicked slave, I forgave thee all that <Fr><i>vast</i><FR> debt at thy request,<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/18-32.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=5327" 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">31</span>When his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and recounted all of this to their master. <span class="reftext">32</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/5119.htm" title="5119: Tote (Adv) -- Then, at that time. From ho and hote; the when, i.e. At the time that.">Then</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."></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/2962.htm" title="2962: kyrios (N-NMS) -- Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.">master</a> <a href="/greek/4341.htm" title="4341: proskalesamenos (V-APM-NMS) -- To call to myself, summon. Middle voice from pros and kaleo; to call toward oneself, i.e. Summon, invite.">summoned</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auton (PPro-AM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">him</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legei (V-PIA-3S) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">and declared,</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."></a> <a href="/greek/4190.htm" title="4190: ponēre (Adj-VMS) -- Evil, bad, wicked, malicious, slothful. ">‘You wicked</a> <a href="/greek/1401.htm" title="1401: Doule (N-VMS) -- (a) (as adj.) enslaved, (b) (as noun) a (male) slave. From deo; a slave.">servant!</a> <a href="/greek/863.htm" title="863: aphēka (V-AIA-1S) -- From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications.">I forgave</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: soi (PPro-D2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou."></a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: pasan (Adj-AFS) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">all</a> <a href="/greek/1565.htm" title="1565: ekeinēn (DPro-AFS) -- That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.">your</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3782.htm" title="3782: opheilēn (N-AFS) -- A debt, a duty, what is due. From opheilo; indebtedness, i.e. a sum owed; figuratively, obligation, i.e. duty.">debt</a> <a href="/greek/1893.htm" title="1893: epei (Conj) -- Of time: when, after; of cause: since, because; otherwise: else. From epi and ei; thereupon, i.e. Since.">because</a> <a href="/greek/3870.htm" title="3870: parekalesas (V-AIA-2S) -- From para and kaleo; to call near, i.e. Invite, invoke.">you begged</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: me (PPro-A1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">me.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">33</span>Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had on you?’…<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/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/6-37.htm">Luke 6:37</a></span><br />Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.<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="/luke/7-41.htm">Luke 7:41-43</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?” / “I suppose the one who was forgiven more,” Simon replied. “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.<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="/mark/11-25.htm">Mark 11:25</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/14-10.htm">Romans 14:10</a></span><br />Why, then, do you judge your brother? Or why do you belittle your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/2-10.htm">2 Corinthians 2:10</a></span><br />If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And if I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven it in the presence of Christ for your sake,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/50-17.htm">Genesis 50:17</a></span><br />‘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.<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="/psalms/103-10.htm">Psalm 103:10-14</a></span><br />He has not dealt with us according to our sins or repaid us according to our iniquities. / For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His loving devotion for those who fear Him. / As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Then his lord, after that he had called him, said to him, O you wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt, because you desired me:</p><p class="hdg">O thou.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/25-26.htm">Matthew 25:26</a></b></br> His lord answered and said unto him, <i>Thou</i> wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/19-22.htm">Luke 19:22</a></b></br> And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, <i>thou</i> wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/3-19.htm">Romans 3:19</a></b></br> Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/18-29.htm">Begged</a> <a href="/matthew/18-29.htm">Besought</a> <a href="/matthew/18-28.htm">Bondman</a> <a href="/matthew/18-27.htm">Canceled</a> <a href="/matthew/18-30.htm">Debt</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/18-16.htm">Desiredst</a> <a href="/matthew/18-29.htm">Entreated</a> <a href="/matthew/17-21.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/matthew/18-27.htm">Forgave</a> <a href="/matthew/18-21.htm">Forgive</a> <a href="/matthew/18-27.htm">Free</a> <a href="/matthew/18-31.htm">Master</a> <a href="/matthew/17-18.htm">Once</a> <a href="/matthew/8-34.htm">Pleaded</a> <a href="/matthew/18-29.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/matthew/18-29.htm">Slave</a> <a href="/matthew/15-32.htm">Summoned</a> <a href="/jeremiah/25-29.htm">Summoning</a> <a href="/matthew/16-4.htm">Wicked</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/27-58.htm">Begged</a> <a href="/mark/5-10.htm">Besought</a> <a href="/matthew/20-27.htm">Bondman</a> <a href="/luke/7-42.htm">Canceled</a> <a href="/matthew/18-34.htm">Debt</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/18-16.htm">Desiredst</a> <a href="/matthew/22-6.htm">Entreated</a> <a href="/matthew/20-15.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/luke/7-42.htm">Forgave</a> <a href="/matthew/18-35.htm">Forgive</a> <a href="/matthew/19-7.htm">Free</a> <a href="/matthew/18-34.htm">Master</a> <a href="/matthew/21-2.htm">Once</a> <a href="/mark/5-23.htm">Pleaded</a> <a href="/matthew/18-33.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/matthew/18-33.htm">Slave</a> <a href="/matthew/20-25.htm">Summoned</a> <a href="/mark/6-7.htm">Summoning</a> <a href="/matthew/21-41.htm">Wicked</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'; </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><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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><b>Then the master summoned him</b><br>In the parable of the unforgiving servant, the master represents God, who is sovereign and just. The act of summoning indicates a call to account, reflecting the biblical principle that all will stand before God to give an account of their actions (<a href="/romans/14-12.htm">Romans 14:12</a>). This summoning is a reminder of divine authority and the accountability each person has before God.<p><b>and said, ‘You wicked servant!</b><br>The term "wicked" highlights the moral failing of the servant, who, despite receiving mercy, failed to extend it to others. This reflects the biblical teaching that wickedness is not just about actions but also the condition of the heart (<a href="/jeremiah/17-9.htm">Jeremiah 17:9</a>). The servant's behavior contrasts with the righteousness expected of those who have received God's grace.<p><b>I forgave all your debt</b><br>The forgiveness of debt symbolizes the immense grace and mercy God extends to humanity. In biblical times, debt was a serious matter, often leading to slavery or imprisonment. The complete forgiveness of debt signifies the totality of God's forgiveness of sin, as seen in passages like <a href="/psalms/103-12.htm">Psalm 103:12</a>, where God removes transgressions as far as the east is from the west.<p><b>because you begged me.</b><br>This phrase underscores the importance of humility and repentance in receiving God's mercy. The servant's initial plea for mercy mirrors the sinner's cry for salvation. It reflects the biblical principle that God is compassionate and responsive to those who earnestly seek His forgiveness (<a href="/2_chronicles/7-14.htm">2 Chronicles 7:14</a>, <a href="/luke/18-13.htm">Luke 18:13-14</a>). The servant's failure to show the same mercy he received highlights the expectation that those forgiven by God should forgive others (<a href="/ephesians/4-32.htm">Ephesians 4:32</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_master.htm">The Master</a></b><br>Represents God in the parable, who is merciful and willing to forgive.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wicked_servant.htm">The Wicked Servant</a></b><br>Symbolizes individuals who receive forgiveness but fail to extend it to others.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_debt.htm">The Debt</a></b><br>Represents sin or transgressions that are forgiven by God.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_parable_of_the_unforgiving_servant.htm">The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant</a></b><br>A teaching of Jesus illustrating the importance of forgiveness.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a></b><br>The speaker of the parable, teaching His disciples about the kingdom of heaven and forgiveness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_forgiveness.htm">Understanding Forgiveness</a></b><br>Recognize that forgiveness is a central tenet of Christian faith, reflecting God's grace towards us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_weight_of_debt.htm">The Weight of Debt</a></b><br>Acknowledge the magnitude of our own forgiven sins and the freedom it brings.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_forgive_others.htm">The Call to Forgive Others</a></b><br>Embrace the responsibility to forgive others as a reflection of God's forgiveness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_unforgiveness.htm">Consequences of Unforgiveness</a></b><br>Understand that failing to forgive can lead to spiritual and relational consequences.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/living_in_gratitude.htm">Living in Gratitude</a></b><br>Cultivate a heart of gratitude for the forgiveness received, which should overflow into our relationships with others.<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/how_to_thank_god_daily.htm">How often should we forgive others?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_forgiving_others_lead_to_forgiveness.htm">Will forgiving others lead to your own forgiveness?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_not_forgive_as_you're_forgiven.htm">Why not forgive others as you've been forgiven?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_the_bible_support_withholding_forgiveness.htm">Is withholding forgiveness supported by the Bible?</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>(32) <span class= "bld">Desiredst me.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">entreatedst me.</span> In the story of the parable, the man had not specifically asked for this. His general prayer for forbearance had been answered above all that he could ask or think.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 32.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">After that he had called him.</span> A second time he is brought before his lord, not now to receive forgiveness, but to have the enormity of his guilt exhibited to him, and to suffer well deserved punishment. In a mystical sense this call is the summons of death, which is virtually judgment. <span class="cmt_word">O thou wicked servant.</span> The lord had not so addressed him when he had come cringing into his presence on the former occasion; he had spoken no words of reproach, but simply left him in the hands of justice. Now he calls him "wicked," because he is unmerciful; he deserves the epithet, because he has been guilty of a crime as heinous as theft or murder. Then the lord places in strong contrast the mercy which he had received and the unmercifulness which he had shown. <span class="cmt_word">All that debt.</span> Great as it was. <span class="cmt_word">Thou desiredst me</span> (<span class="greek">παρεκάλεσας</span>); <span class="accented">besoughtest me</span>; calledst on me for aid. The debtor had not asked or hoped for remission of his debt, and had been largely and most unexpectedly blessed. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/18-32.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">Τότε</span> <span class="translit">(Tote)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5119.htm">Strong's 5119: </a> </span><span class="str2">Then, at that time. From ho and hote; the when, i.e. At the time that.</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">master</span><br /><span class="grk">κύριος</span> <span class="translit">(kyrios)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2962.htm">Strong's 2962: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">summoned</span><br /><span class="grk">προσκαλεσάμενος</span> <span class="translit">(proskalesamenos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4341.htm">Strong's 4341: </a> </span><span class="str2">To call to myself, summon. Middle voice from pros and kaleo; to call toward oneself, i.e. Summon, invite.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">him</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτὸν</span> <span class="translit">(auton)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 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">[and] declared,</span><br /><span class="grk">λέγει</span> <span class="translit">(legei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person 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">‘[You] wicked</span><br /><span class="grk">πονηρέ</span> <span class="translit">(ponēre)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Vocative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4190.htm">Strong's 4190: </a> </span><span class="str2">Evil, bad, wicked, malicious, slothful. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">servant!</span><br /><span class="grk">Δοῦλε</span> <span class="translit">(Doule)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Vocative 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">I forgave</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀφῆκά</span> <span class="translit">(aphēka)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_863.htm">Strong's 863: </a> </span><span class="str2">From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">all</span><br /><span class="grk">πᾶσαν</span> <span class="translit">(pasan)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular<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 /><br /><span class="word">[your]</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐκείνην</span> <span class="translit">(ekeinēn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1565.htm">Strong's 1565: </a> </span><span class="str2">That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">debt</span><br /><span class="grk">ὀφειλὴν</span> <span class="translit">(opheilēn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3782.htm">Strong's 3782: </a> </span><span class="str2">A debt, a duty, what is due. From opheilo; indebtedness, i.e. a sum owed; figuratively, obligation, i.e. duty.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">because</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐπεὶ</span> <span class="translit">(epei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1893.htm">Strong's 1893: </a> </span><span class="str2">Of time: when, after; of cause: since, because; otherwise: else. From epi and ei; thereupon, i.e. Since.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you begged</span><br /><span class="grk">παρεκάλεσάς</span> <span class="translit">(parekalesas)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3870.htm">Strong's 3870: </a> </span><span class="str2">From para and kaleo; to call near, i.e. Invite, invoke.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">me.</span><br /><span class="grk">με</span> <span class="translit">(me)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 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 /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/18-32.htm">Matthew 18:32 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/18-32.htm">Matthew 18:32 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/18-32.htm">Matthew 18:32 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/18-32.htm">Matthew 18:32 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/18-32.htm">Matthew 18:32 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/18-32.htm">Matthew 18:32 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/18-32.htm">Matthew 18:32 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/18-32.htm">Matthew 18:32 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/18-32.htm">Matthew 18:32 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/18-32.htm">Matthew 18:32 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/18-32.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 18:32 Then his lord called him (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/18-31.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 18:31"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 18:31" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/18-33.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 18:33"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 18:33" /></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>