Peter does not use the word "times" though that is implied in the Greek and appears in the English. This is not the "times" operator for multiplication. Each time is one occurrence.

Jesus provides an answer.

Note that there is no Greek word for "times" as in multiplication or "and" as in addition. Just the words for "seventy" and "seven".

This is then mostly an academic discussion on translation issues since it appears that Jesus is obviously saying one should forgive an unlimited number of times. The pastor kept using the word "infinite".

What is the difference between an "unlimited" and an "infinite" number of times?

An unlimited number of times has some basis in reality. The number 2²⁷⁰ is the approximate number of small particles in the known universe. This is not an infinite number, but, for practical purposes, is "unlimited".

An infinite number of times has the connotation of a mathematical infinity which may or may not have a basis in reality - other than in the mind.

Is an "all you can eat" buffet infinite? Is it "unlimited"? A better wording sometimes used is "all you care to eat".

Some cell phone plans offer "unlimited" bandwidth, until you read the fine print disclaimers. When you get above a certain threshold, the bandwidth is throttled so what data transfer becomes slower and slower.

What is the "correct" translation? Here are some choices.

• 70+7 = 77 times
• 70*7 = 490 times
• 70 followed by 7 (meaning unspecified)

The GNT (Greek New Testament) clears states "εβδομηκοντακις επτα".

The modern Greek word "εβδομήντα" (eh-vtho-MEEN-ta) ≈ "seventy", similar to the ancient Greek word.

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To sum it up, Many children these days have sum trouble with multiplication. There is a difference of opinion, but times are tough. And their troubles are multiplying. Does that add up? What does the remainder say about what is left over?

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Enough of play on words, let us look at the verse in more detail. How much difference can there be between a 1 and a 2? That could be a billion dollar question.

It has actually happened that the difference between one and two was a billion dollar question.

After the 9/11 attacks which destroyed the Twin Towers, it became a billion dollar question as to whether it was two separate single attacks or one attack on two targets, etc. The insurance policy covered one billion dollars for each incident. So was it one or two incidents. Lawyers and a court hearing were needed. (It ended up being two separate incidents for one billion dollars each).

An interesting verse in Genesis uses the same "seventy" and "seven" and was translated the same in the LXX (Septuagint) and Latin Vulgate as Matthew 18:22.

The exact meaning of the verse is unclear. We are here interested in the numbers.

The Tyndale adds the Middle English word "tymes" ≈ "times" and the Geneva Bible adds "times". The other versions use the number 77.

So the same question arises here, is it 70+7=77 or 70*7=490.

Does one increase their "avenging" by addition or multiplication?

A conjecture here is that the English translators used the word "times" as "occurrences" in the first part of the verse, and then, use the "times" as multiplication in the following verse.

Can you think of another possibility?

Is the end of Matthew 18:22 70+7=77 or 70*7=490?

A good translation technique might be to just translate it as "seventy seven" (in quotes) with a footnote explaining the ambiguity or controversy.

• Should you remember and keep count?
• Do you want God/Jesus to remember and keep count?

The hairs (believers) of the head (Jesus) are all numbered.

More: Matthew 5:33-37: Hairs of the head - yes no