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Matthew 18:23-35 Parable of the unforgiving servant
1. Matthew 18:23-35 Parable of the unforgiving servant
2. Transitive property
A relation
R on set
A is
transitive if for every
x,
y, and
z in
A,
x R y and
y R z implies that
x R z.
This can be written in mathematical form as follows.
This is read as "
for all x and y and z in (set) A, (condition) x R y and (condition) y R z implies (condition) x R z". The symbol "
∧" is read as "
and" and means that both conditions must be
true for the result to be
true.
3. Debts and owing
Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. [kjv]
και αφες ημιν τα οφειληματα ημων ως και ημεις αφηκαμεν τοις οφειλεταις ημων [gnt]
This part of the prayer is a request. Jesus then appears to clarify that part of the prayer. He uses some different words.
This is a
transitive relationship.
Do you see the
transitivity?
4. Transitive relationship
John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love :one another. [kjv]
εντολην καινην διδωμι υμιν ινα αγαπατε αλληλους καθως ηγαπησα υμας ινα και υμεις αγαπατε αλληλους [gnt]
mandatum novum … [v]
… newe maundement… [wy]
Jesus gives a "
new commandment". It is, rather, a new twist on two old commandments from the
OT (Old Testament).
Love your God with everything.
Love your neighbor as yourself.
Love fellow believers unconditionally.
The "
one another" is for those who are "
similar" and not "
different".
Jesus did not come to "
change everything" nor to replace the law but to fulfill the law. The new twist is to follow the example of Jesus in loving your neighbor as yourself.
5. Matthew 18:23-35 Parable of the unforgiving servant
Matthew 18:23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. [kjv]
δια τουτο ωμοιωθη η βασιλεια των ουρανων ανθρωπω βασιλει ος ηθελησεν συναραι λογον μετα των δουλων αυτου [gnt]
Jesus "
likens" the "
kingdom" as an
analogy using this parable that is used in
ARMS (Attractive Refrigerator Magnet Sermons) as an example of forgiveness. Such sermons are better taught from what Jesus says after the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6.
As the ending part of a discourse that starts at the end of Matthew 17, the primary purpose of this parable as a summary of what has been said is (almost) never stated in sermons.
6. Matthew 18:23
KJV: Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
Greek: δια τουτο ωμοιωθη η βασιλεια των ουρανων ανθρωπω βασιλει ος ηθελησεν συναραι λογον μετα των δουλων αυτου
7. Matthew 18:24
Matthew 18:24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. [kjv]
αρξαμενου δε αυτου συναιρειν προσηχθη εις αυτω οφειλετης μυριων ταλαντων [gnt]
The Greek for "
owed" is that of "
forgiven" or "
let go".
The Greek for "
ten thousand" is the source of the English word
"myriad".
8. Matthew 18:24
KJV: And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
Greek: αρξαμενου δε αυτου συναιρειν προσηνεχθη αυτω προσηχθη εις αυτω οφειλετης μυριων ταλαντων
9. Matthew 18:25
Matthew 18:25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. [kjv]
μη εχοντος δε αυτου αποδουναι εκελευσεν αυτον ο κυριος πραθηναι και την γυναικα και τα τεκνα και παντα οσα εχει και αποδοθηναι [gnt]
The Greek for "
pay", used
twice in this verse, is that of "
fork over" and was used several times in the Sermon on the Mount.
The human ruler "
commands". Jesus does not "
command" but asks you to "
follow". The Greek for "
follow" is the source of the English word
"acolyte" and is, literally, that of "
not commanding".
In the Sermon on the Mount, one will not get out of the "
watch" or "
prison" until one has "
paid" or "
forked over" the "
last farthing" as a (paid for with money) sacrifice on the alter (the verse before). There will never be a "
last farthing".
10. Matthew 18:25
KJV: But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
Greek: μη εχοντος δε αυτου αποδουναι εκελευσεν αυτον ο κυριος αυτου πραθηναι και την γυναικα αυτου και τα τεκνα και παντα οσα ειχεν εχει και αποδοθηναι
11. Matthew 18:26
Matthew 18:26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. [kjv]
πεσων ουν ο δουλος προσεκυνει αυτω λεγων μακροθυμησον επ εμοι και παντα αποδωσω σοι [gnt]
Why would one "
worship" a "
human ruler"? Might that "
human ruler" have established himself as a god?
The word for "
pay" or "
fork over" is used again.
12. Matthew 18:26
KJV: The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
Greek: πεσων ουν ο δουλος προσεκυνει αυτω λεγων κυριε μακροθυμησον επ εμοι και παντα σοι αποδωσω σοι
13. Matthew 18:27
Matthew 18:27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. [kjv]
σπλαγχνισθεις δε ο κυριος του δουλου εκεινου εκεινου απελυσεν αυτον και το δανιον αφηκεν αυτω [gnt]
The Greek for "
compassion" is that, literally, of a "
gut feeling".
This ruler "
loosed" on "
earth".
The Greek for "
forgave" is that of "
let go".
The Greek for "
dept" is that of a "
loan".
14. Matthew 18:27
KJV: Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
Greek: σπλαγχνισθεις δε ο κυριος του δουλου εκεινου εκεινου απελυσεν αυτον και το δανειον δανιον αφηκεν αυτω
15. Matthew 18:28
Matthew 18:28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. [kjv]
εξελθων δε ο δουλος εκεινος ευρεν ενα των συνδουλων αυτου ος ωφειλεν αυτω εκατον δηναρια και κρατησας αυτον επνιγεν λεγων αποδος ει τι οφειλεις [gnt]
That servant want and found a fellow servant - one at the same level.
The amount is much smaller.
16. Matthew 18:28
KJV: But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
Greek: εξελθων δε ο δουλος εκεινος ευρεν ενα των συνδουλων αυτου ος ωφειλεν αυτω εκατον δηναρια και κρατησας αυτον επνιγεν λεγων αποδος μοι ο ει τι οφειλεις
17. Matthew 18:29
Matthew 18:29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. [kjv]
πεσων ουν ο συνδουλος αυτου παρεκαλει αυτον λεγων μακροθυμησον επ εμοι και αποδωσω σοι [gnt]
18. Matthew 18:29
KJV: And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
Greek: πεσων ουν ο συνδουλος αυτου εις τους ποδας αυτου αυτου παρεκαλει αυτον λεγων μακροθυμησον επ εμοι και παντα αποδωσω σοι
19. Matthew 18:30
Matthew 18:30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. [kjv]
ο δε ουκ ηθελεν αλλα απελθων εβαλεν αυτον εις φυλακην εως αποδω το οφειλομενον [gnt]
This servant casts his fellow servant into the "
watch" or "
prison" until he has "
paid the last farthing".
20. Matthew 18:30
KJV: And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
Greek: ο δε ουκ ηθελεν αλλα απελθων εβαλεν αυτον εις φυλακην εως ου αποδω το οφειλομενον
21. Matthew 18:31
Matthew 18:31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. [kjv]
ιδοντες ουν οι συνδουλοι αυτου τα γενομενα ελυπηθησαν σφοδρα και ελθοντες διεσαφησαν τω κυριω εαυτων παντα τα γενομενα [gnt]
The Greek for "
very" is that of "
terribly" as in having a multiplicative effect.
The Greek for "
sorry" is that of being "
annoyed".
The Greek for "
told" is that of "
make clear" or "
clarified".
The Greek for "
done" is that of "
coming into being". In this case, the "
coming into being" was not a good one.
22. Matthew 18:31
KJV: So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
Greek: ιδοντες δε ουν οι συνδουλοι αυτου τα γενομενα ελυπηθησαν σφοδρα και ελθοντες διεσαφησαν τω κυριω αυτων εαυτων παντα τα γενομενα
23. Matthew 18:32
Matthew 18:32 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: [kjv]
τοτε προσκαλεσαμενος αυτον ο κυριος αυτου λεγει αυτω δουλε πονηρε πασαν την οφειλην εκεινην αφηκα σοι επει παρεκαλεσας με [gnt]
The Greek for "
wicked" is that of "
evil" in the sense of "
oppressing with toils".
The Greek for "
desiredst" is that of "
called on" as in "
plead" or "
please" (the meaning of the modern Greek word).
24. Matthew 18:32
KJV: 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:
Greek: τοτε προσκαλεσαμενος αυτον ο κυριος αυτου λεγει αυτω δουλε πονηρε πασαν την οφειλην εκεινην αφηκα σοι επει παρεκαλεσας με
25. Matthew 18:33
Matthew 18:33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? [kjv]
ουκ εδει και σε ελεησαι τον συνδουλον σου ως καγω σε ηλεησα [gnt]
The Greek for both "
compassion" and "
pity" (same Greek word) is that of "
mercy".
26. Matthew 18:33
KJV: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
Greek: ουκ εδει και σε ελεησαι τον συνδουλον σου ως και εγω καγω σε ηλεησα
27. Matthew 18:34
Matthew 18:34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. [kjv]
και οργισθεις ο κυριος αυτου παρεδωκεν αυτον τοις βασανισταις εως ου αποδω παν το οφειλομενον [gnt]
Will all that was "
owed"
ever be "
paid"?
28. Matthew 18:34
KJV: And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
Greek: και οργισθεις ο κυριος αυτου παρεδωκεν αυτον τοις βασανισταις εως ου αποδω παν το οφειλομενον αυτω
29. Matthew 18:35
Matthew 18:35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. [kjv]
ουτως και ο πατηρ μου ο ουρανιος ποιησει υμιν εαν μη αφητε εκαστος τω αδελφω αυτου απο των καρδιων υμων [gnt]
30. Matthew 18:35
KJV: So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
Greek: ουτως και ο πατηρ μου ο επουρανιος ουρανιος ποιησει υμιν εαν μη αφητε εκαστος τω αδελφω αυτου απο των καρδιων υμων τα παραπτωματα αυτων
31. Matthew 18:23,35 Review
Matthew 18:23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. [kjv]
18:35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. [kjv]
In the parable, the "
Lord" represents "
Jesus" as "
God". Using the animal model, the unforgiving servant could be called the "
bird". The servant at the bottom could be called the "
sheep".
The "bird" owes a debt to the "Lord".
The "Lord" "lets go" of the debt of the "bird".
The "sheep" owes a debt to the "bird".
The "bird" does not "let go" of the debt of the "sheep" but throws the "sheep" into or "prison" or "watch" (i.e., until the "last farthing" is "paid").
32. Comparison
1. Jesus has a flat hierarchy. Everyone is both "greatest" and "least".
2. Start of the discourse: The "bird" as a "sheep" who went "on" the "mountain" or "definition" to be "great" set up a tree hierarchy to be "greatest" and so "sheep" and others can be "less". The "bird" collects "taxes", etc., to "oppress" the "sheep" with a "yoke" of "compulsion".
3. End of the discourse: Consider the "taxing" or "religious" establishment as the "bird" in the parable. Consider the "sheep" being "taxed" as the "sheep" in the parable.
Do you see any connection?
33. End of page
