CINXE.COM

<!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 18:24 As he began the settlements, a debtor was brought to him owing ten thousand talents.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/18-24.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/40_Mat_18_24.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 18:24 - The Unforgiving Servant" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="As he began the settlements, a debtor was brought to him owing ten thousand talents." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/matthew/18-24.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/matthew/18-24.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/matthew/">Matthew</a> > <a href="/matthew/18.htm">Chapter 18</a> > Verse 24</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" 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="/ad4.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/18-23.htm" title="Matthew 18:23">◄</a> Matthew 18:24 <a href="/matthew/18-25.htm" title="Matthew 18:25">►</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"><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 />As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/matthew/18.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />In the process, one of his debtors was brought in who owed him millions of dollars.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/matthew/18.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/matthew/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />As he began the settlements, a debtor owing ten thousand talents was brought to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/18.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And he having begun to settle, one was brought to him, a debtor of ten thousand talents.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And when he had begun to settle <i>them,</i> one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220When he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And when he had begun to settle <i>them,</i> there was brought to him one who owed him ten thousand talents.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />When he had begun to settle <i>them</i>, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />When he began the accounting, one who owed him 10,000 talents was brought to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When he began to settle accounts, one who owed ten thousand talents was brought before him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When he began to settle accounts, one who owed 10,000 talents was brought before him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, that owed him ten thousand talents.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />As he was doing this, one official was brought in who owed him 50,000,000 silver coins. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When he began to do this, a servant who owed him millions of dollars was brought to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He had just begun to do so when one of them was brought in who owed him millions of dollars. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />When he had begun to settle the accounts, a person who owed him 10,000 talents was brought to him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />As he began the settlements, a debtor owing ten thousand talents was brought to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />As he began settling his accounts, a man who owed ten thousand talents was brought to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />When he had begun to reconcile, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/18.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />But as soon as he began the settlement, one was brought before him who owed 10,000 talents,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />When he had begun to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and he having begun to take account, there was brought near to him one debtor of a myriad of talents,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/18.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And he having begun to settle, one was brought to him, a debtor of ten thousand talents.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and he having begun to take account, there was brought near to him one debtor of a myriad of talents,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he having begun to settle accounts, one was brought him, a debtor of ten thousand talents.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And when he had begun to take the account, one was brought to him, that owed him ten thousand talents. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And when he had begun taking account, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And when he began to take the accounting, they brought to him one who owed ten thousand talents.<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 when he began to take it, they brought him one who owed 10,000 talents.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/18.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />And when he began to make a settlement, there was brought to him one that owed him ten thousand talents.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/18.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>And he beginning to reckon, one was brought to him owing him myriads of talents.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/18.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />And when he began to make up the account, there was brought to him one debtor, ten thousand talents in arrear:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/18.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />when he had begun to reckon, one was brought to him indebted the sum of ten thousand talents.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/18.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />But as soon as he began the settlement, one was brought before him who owed 10,000 talents,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/18.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>And, when he began to reckon, there was brought to him one debtor of ten thousand talents;<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/18.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>and when he began to reckon, there was brought to him one, <Fr><i>who was</i><FR> debtor in ten thousand talents:<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/18-24.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=5258" 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">23</span>Because of this, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. <span class="reftext">24</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">As</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.">he</a> <a href="/greek/756.htm" title="756: arxamenou (V-APM-GMS) -- To begin. Middle voice of archo; to commence.">began</a> <a href="/greek/4868.htm" title="4868: synairein (V-PNA) -- To compare (settle) accounts, make a reckoning. From sun and airo; to make up together, i.e. to compute.">the settlements,</a> <a href="/greek/1520.htm" title="1520: heis (Adj-NMS) -- One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.">a</a> <a href="/greek/3781.htm" title="3781: opheiletēs (N-NMS) -- From opheilo; an ower, i.e. Person indebted; figuratively, a delinquent; morally, a transgressor.">debtor</a> <a href="/greek/4374.htm" title="4374: prosēnechthē (V-AIP-3S) -- From pros and phero; to bear towards, i.e. Lead to, tender, treat.">was brought</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.">to him</a> <a href="/greek/3463.htm" title="3463: myriōn (Adj-GNP) -- Plural of an apparently primary word; ten thousand; by extension, innumerably many.">owing ten thousand</a> <a href="/greek/5007.htm" title="5007: talantōn (N-GNP) -- Neuter of a presumed derivative of the original form of tlao; a balance, i.e. a certain weight or talent.">talents.</a> </span> <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.…<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="/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/25-14.htm">Matthew 25:14-30</a></span><br />For it is just like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted them with his possessions. / To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent—each according to his own ability. And he went on his journey. / The servant who had received the five talents went at once and put them to work and gained five more. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/16-1.htm">Luke 16:1-12</a></span><br />Jesus also said to His disciples, “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. / So he called him in to ask, ‘What is this I hear about you? Turn in an account of your management, for you cannot be manager any longer.’ / The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, now that my master is taking away my position? I am too weak to dig and too ashamed to beg. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-8.htm">Romans 13:8</a></span><br />Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.<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="/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="/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="/proverbs/22-7.htm">Proverbs 22:7</a></span><br />The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/37-21.htm">Psalm 37:21</a></span><br />The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous are gracious and giving.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/22-25.htm">Exodus 22:25</a></span><br />If you lend money to one of My people among you who is poor, you must not act as a creditor to him; you are not to charge him interest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/15-1.htm">Deuteronomy 15:1-2</a></span><br />At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts. / This is the manner of remission: Every creditor shall cancel what he has loaned to his neighbor. He is not to collect anything from his neighbor or brother, because the LORD’s time of release has been proclaimed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/25-39.htm">Leviticus 25:39-41</a></span><br />If a countryman among you becomes destitute and sells himself to you, then you must not force him into slave labor. / Let him stay with you as a hired worker or temporary resident; he is to work for you until the Year of Jubilee. / Then he and his children are to be released, and he may return to his clan and to the property of his fathers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/5-3.htm">Nehemiah 5:3-5</a></span><br />Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our homes to get grain during the famine.” / Still others were saying, “We have borrowed money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards. / We and our children are just like our countrymen and their children, yet we are subjecting our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters are already enslaved, but we are powerless to redeem them because our fields and vineyards belong to others.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/4-1.htm">2 Kings 4:1</a></span><br />Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And now his creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves!”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought to him, which owed him ten thousand talents.</p><p class="hdg">owed.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/7-41.htm">Luke 7:41,42</a></b></br> There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/13-4.htm">Luke 13:4</a></b></br> Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/16-5.htm">Luke 16:5,7</a></b></br> So he called every one of his lord's debtors <i>unto him</i>, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord? … </p><p class="hdg">ten thousand.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_chronicles/29-7.htm">1 Chronicles 29:7</a></b></br> And gave for the service of the house of God of gold five thousand talents and ten thousand drams, and of silver ten thousand talents, and of brass eighteen thousand talents, and one hundred thousand talents of iron.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezra/9-6.htm">Ezra 9:6</a></b></br> And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over <i>our</i> head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/38-4.htm">Psalm 38:4</a></b></br> For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.</p><p class="hdg">talents.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/18-23.htm">Account</a> <a href="/matthew/14-30.htm">Begun</a> <a href="/matthew/6-12.htm">Debt</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-7.htm">Debtor</a> <a href="/songs/5-10.htm">Myriad</a> <a href="/revelation/13-4.htm">Owed</a> <a href="/matthew/18-23.htm">Reckon</a> <a href="/matthew/18-23.htm">Reckoning</a> <a href="/matthew/18-23.htm">Reconcile</a> <a href="/matthew/18-23.htm">Settle</a> <a href="/matthew/18-23.htm">Settlement</a> <a href="/matthew/16-27.htm">Soon</a> <a href="/micah/6-13.htm">Start</a> <a href="/esther/3-9.htm">Talents</a> <a href="/matthew/4-25.htm">Ten</a> <a href="/matthew/16-10.htm">Thousand</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/19-5.htm">Account</a> <a href="/matthew/20-9.htm">Begun</a> <a href="/matthew/18-25.htm">Debt</a> <a href="/matthew/23-16.htm">Debtor</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/4-15.htm">Myriad</a> <a href="/matthew/18-28.htm">Owed</a> <a href="/acts/7-60.htm">Reckon</a> <a href="/matthew/25-19.htm">Reckoning</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-16.htm">Reconcile</a> <a href="/luke/21-14.htm">Settle</a> <a href="/genesis/10-30.htm">Settlement</a> <a href="/matthew/21-20.htm">Soon</a> <a href="/matthew/24-21.htm">Start</a> <a href="/matthew/25-15.htm">Talents</a> <a href="/matthew/20-24.htm">Ten</a> <a href="/mark/5-13.htm">Thousand</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 />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <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>As he began the settlements</b><br>This phrase introduces the parable of the unmerciful servant, which is part of Jesus' teaching on forgiveness. The context is a king settling accounts with his servants, symbolizing God's judgment. The concept of settling accounts is a common biblical theme, reflecting the final judgment where all will give an account to God (<a href="/romans/14-12.htm">Romans 14:12</a>). The setting of a king and his servants would resonate with Jesus' audience, familiar with the hierarchical structures of ancient Near Eastern societies.<p><b>a debtor owing ten thousand talents</b><br>The amount of ten thousand talents is hyperbolic, emphasizing the impossibility of repaying such a debt. A single talent was a large sum, equivalent to about 20 years' wages for a laborer. Thus, ten thousand talents would be an astronomical debt, illustrating the magnitude of sin against God. This hyperbole underscores the need for divine forgiveness, as humans cannot repay their spiritual debt. The use of talents connects to other parables, such as the Parable of the Talents (<a href="/matthew/25-14.htm">Matthew 25:14-30</a>), where talents represent God-given responsibilities and opportunities.<p><b>was brought to him</b><br>The debtor being brought to the king signifies the inevitability of facing judgment. In biblical times, debtors could be summoned before a ruler or judge to settle their debts, often leading to severe consequences if they could not pay. This reflects the spiritual reality that all will stand before God (<a href="/2_corinthians/5-10.htm">2 Corinthians 5:10</a>). The passive voice "was brought" suggests the debtor's lack of control over the situation, highlighting human helplessness without divine intervention. This phrase also foreshadows the grace and mercy that the king, representing God, will extend, pointing to the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_king.htm">The King</a></b><br>Represents God in the parable, who is settling accounts with his servants. This figure is central to understanding God's justice and mercy.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_debtor.htm">The Debtor</a></b><br>A servant who owes an enormous debt of ten thousand talents, symbolizing the insurmountable debt of sin that humanity owes to God.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_settlement.htm">The Settlement</a></b><br>The process of accounting and reckoning, illustrating the final judgment where all will give an account to God.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/ten_thousand_talents.htm">Ten Thousand Talents</a></b><br>A hyperbolic amount of money, emphasizing the vastness of the debt and the impossibility of repaying it, which underscores the gravity of sin.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_parable_of_the_unforgiving_servant.htm">The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant</a></b><br>The broader context of this verse, teaching about forgiveness and the kingdom of heaven.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_our_debt.htm">Understanding Our Debt</a></b><br>Recognize the magnitude of our sin and the impossibility of repaying it on our own. This awareness should lead to humility and repentance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_mercy_and_forgiveness.htm">God's Mercy and Forgiveness</a></b><br>Just as the king forgave the servant's enormous debt, God offers us forgiveness through Christ. Accepting this grace should transform our hearts and lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/forgiving_others.htm">Forgiving Others</a></b><br>As recipients of God's immense forgiveness, we are called to extend the same grace to others, forgiving their offenses against us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_unforgiveness.htm">The Consequences of Unforgiveness</a></b><br>The parable warns of the spiritual danger and bondage that come from harboring unforgiveness, urging us to release others from their debts.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/living_in_light_of_judgment.htm">Living in Light of Judgment</a></b><br>The settlement process reminds us of the future judgment. We should live with an eternal perspective, prioritizing spiritual debts over material concerns.<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_do_lord's_prayer_and_thanksgiving_align.htm">How are The Lord's Prayer and Thanksgiving similar?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_truth_according_to_the_bible.htm">What does the Bible teach about money?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_kosher_dietary_rules.htm">What does 'more blessed to give than receive' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/key_teachings_events_in_matthew.htm">What are the key teachings and events in Matthew?</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>(24) <span class= "bld">Ten thousand talents.</span>--It is hardly necessary to discuss in detail the value in modern coinage of the sum thus described. Assuming the Greek "talent" to have been rightly used by the LXX. translators for the Hebrew <span class= "ital">kikar</span> in <a href="/context/exodus/38-25.htm" title="And the silver of them that were numbered of the congregation was an hundred talents, and a thousand seven hundred and three score and fifteen shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary:">Exodus 38:25-26</a>, we have a basis of calculation which makes the talent equal to 3,000 shekels; and taking the shekel as equal to four <span class= "ital">drachmae,</span> this makes the 10,000 talents about 2,500,000 sterling. The sum is evidently named in its vague vastness to indicate the immensity of the debt which man owes to God, the absolute impossibility of his ever clearing off the aggregate, ever-accumulating, of sins of omission and commission which are brought home to his conscience when God "takes account" with him.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 24.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">When he had begun to reckon.</span> This is the same word which is rendered "take account" in the previous verse, and means to compare receipts, expenditure, and balance. <span class="cmt_word">One was brought unto him.</span> The defaulter did not come of himself and own his delinquency, but was brought into his lord's presence, probably by some who had discovered his defalcations, and desired to see him punished. Otherwise the phrase may refer merely to Oriental etiquette, according to which no one can cuter the royal presence without being formally allowed the interview, and ceremoniously introduced. <span class="cmt_word">Ten thousand talents.</span> It is uncertain what is here meant by a talent, whether of silver or gold, of Jewish, or Attic, or Syriac standard; and, of course, the amount intended is variously understood. We must refer to the Bible dictionaries for an explanation of the term "talent," merely remarking here that the highest estimate would give six millions of our pounds, and the lowest more than half that amount. This huge stun must represent the total revenues of a province, and the debtor must have been a high and much-trusted official. It is used by our Lord to signify the infinite debt the sinner owes to God. Thus in the Lord's Prayer we have, "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" (<a href="/matthew/6-12.htm">Matthew 6:12</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/18-24.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">As</span><br /><span class="grk">δὲ</span> <span class="translit">(de)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; but, and, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτοῦ</span> <span class="translit">(autou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 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">began</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀρξαμένου</span> <span class="translit">(arxamenou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Genitive Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_756.htm">Strong's 756: </a> </span><span class="str2">To begin. Middle voice of archo; to commence.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the settlements,</span><br /><span class="grk">συναίρειν</span> <span class="translit">(synairein)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Infinitive Active<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4868.htm">Strong's 4868: </a> </span><span class="str2">To compare (settle) accounts, make a reckoning. From sun and airo; to make up together, i.e. to compute.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a</span><br /><span class="grk">εἷς</span> <span class="translit">(heis)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1520.htm">Strong's 1520: </a> </span><span class="str2">One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">debtor</span><br /><span class="grk">ὀφειλέτης</span> <span class="translit">(opheiletēs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3781.htm">Strong's 3781: </a> </span><span class="str2">From opheilo; an ower, i.e. Person indebted; figuratively, a delinquent; morally, a transgressor.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was brought</span><br /><span class="grk">προσηνέχθη</span> <span class="translit">(prosēnechthē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4374.htm">Strong's 4374: </a> </span><span class="str2">From pros and phero; to bear towards, i.e. Lead to, tender, treat.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to 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">owing ten thousand</span><br /><span class="grk">μυρίων</span> <span class="translit">(myriōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Genitive Neuter Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3463.htm">Strong's 3463: </a> </span><span class="str2">Plural of an apparently primary word; ten thousand; by extension, innumerably many.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">talents.</span><br /><span class="grk">ταλάντων</span> <span class="translit">(talantōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5007.htm">Strong's 5007: </a> </span><span class="str2">Neuter of a presumed derivative of the original form of tlao; a balance, i.e. a certain weight or 'talent'.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/18-24.htm">Matthew 18:24 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/18-24.htm">Matthew 18:24 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/18-24.htm">Matthew 18:24 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/18-24.htm">Matthew 18:24 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/18-24.htm">Matthew 18:24 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/18-24.htm">Matthew 18:24 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/18-24.htm">Matthew 18:24 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/18-24.htm">Matthew 18:24 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/18-24.htm">Matthew 18:24 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/18-24.htm">Matthew 18:24 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/18-24.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 18:24 When he had begun to reconcile one (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/18-23.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 18:23"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 18:23" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/18-25.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 18:25"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 18:25" /></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>