# Matthew 18.23-35

<!-- type: passage | created: 2026-05-06 | updated: 2026-05-06 -->

**Book:** [Matthew](/codex/matthew-the-apostle/) · ASV / WEB / KJV / YLT

## Immediate context (±2 verses)

**ASV** ([ASV](/codex/asv/))
> 21. Then came Peter and said to him, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? until seven times? 22. Jesus says unto him, <span class="rl-speech">I say not unto you, Until seven times; but, Until seventy times seven.</span>
>
> **23. <span class="rl-speech">Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, who would make a reckoning with his servants.</span> 24. <span class="rl-speech">And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, that owed him ten thousand talents.</span> 25. <span class="rl-speech">But forasmuch as he had not with which to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and sons, and all that he had, and payment to be made.</span> 26. <span class="rl-speech">The servant therefore fell down and worshiped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.</span> 27. <span class="rl-speech">And the lord of that servant, being moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.</span> 28. <span class="rl-speech">But that servant went out, and found one of his fellow-servants, who owed him a hundred shillings: and he laid hold on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay what you owe.</span> 29. <span class="rl-speech">So his fellow-servant fell down and begged him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay you.</span> 30. <span class="rl-speech">And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, until he should pay that which was due.</span> 31. <span class="rl-speech">So when his fellow-servants saw what was done, they were exceedingly sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.</span> 32. Then his lord called him unto him, and says to him, <span class="rl-speech">You wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt, because you besoughtest me:</span> 33. <span class="rl-speech">should not you also have had mercy on your fellow-servant, even as I had mercy on you?</span> 34. <span class="rl-speech">And his lord was angry, and delivered him to the tormentors, until he should pay all that was due.</span> 35. <span class="rl-speech">So shall also my heavenly Father do unto you, if you forgive not every one his brother from your hearts.</span>** (Matthew 18:21-35, ASV)

**WEB** ([WEB](/codex/web/))
> 21. Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?” 22. Jesus said to him, <span class="rl-speech">“I don’t tell you until seven times, but, until seventy times seven.</span>
>
> **23. <span class="rl-speech">Therefore the Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who wanted to reconcile accounts with his servants.</span> 24. <span class="rl-speech">When he had begun to reconcile, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.</span> 25. <span class="rl-speech">But because he couldn’t pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, with his wife, his children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.</span> 26. <span class="rl-speech">The servant therefore fell down and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, have patience with me, and I will repay you all!’</span> 27. <span class="rl-speech">The lord of that servant, being moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.</span> 28. <span class="rl-speech">“But that servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, who owed him one hundred denarii, and he grabbed him, and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’</span> 29. <span class="rl-speech">“So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will repay you!’</span> 30. <span class="rl-speech">He would not, but went and cast him into prison, until he should pay back that which was due.</span> 31. <span class="rl-speech">So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were exceedingly sorry, and came and told to their lord all that was done.</span> 32. Then his lord called him in, and said to him, <span class="rl-speech">‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt, because you begged me.</span> 33. <span class="rl-speech">Shouldn’t you also have had mercy on your fellow servant, even as I had mercy on you?’</span> 34. <span class="rl-speech">His lord was angry, and delivered him to the tormentors, until he should pay all that was due to him.</span> 35. <span class="rl-speech">So my heavenly Father will also do to you, if you don’t each forgive your brother from your hearts for his misdeeds.”</span>** (Matthew 18:21-35, WEB)

**KJV** ([KJV](/codex/kjv/))
> 21. Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22. Jesus saith unto him, <span class="rl-speech">I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.</span>
>
> **23. <span class="rl-speech">Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.</span> 24. <span class="rl-speech">And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. <sup>talents: a talent is 750.ounces of silver, which after five shillings the ounce is 187.li. 10.s.</sup></span> 25. <span class="rl-speech">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.</span> 26. <span class="rl-speech">The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. <sup>worshipped him: or, besought him</sup></span> 27. <span class="rl-speech">Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.</span> 28. <span class="rl-speech">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. <sup>pence: the Roman penny is the eighth part of an ounce, which after five shillings the ounce is seven pence halfpenny; about fourteen cents</sup></span> 29. <span class="rl-speech">And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.</span> 30. <span class="rl-speech">And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.</span> 31. <span class="rl-speech">So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.</span> 32. <span class="rl-speech">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> 33. <span class="rl-speech">Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?</span> 34. <span class="rl-speech">And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.</span> 35. <span class="rl-speech">So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.</span>** (Matthew 18:21-35, KJV)

**YLT** ([YLT](/codex/ylt/))
> 21. <span class="rl-speech">Then Peter having come near to him, said, 'Sir, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him, till seven times?'</span> 22. Jesus saith to him, <span class="rl-speech">'I do not say to thee till seven times, but till seventy times seven.</span>
>
> **23. <span class="rl-speech">'Because of this was the reign of the heavens likened to a man, a king, who did will to take reckoning with his servants,</span> 24. <span class="rl-speech">and he having begun to take account, there was brought near to him one debtor of a myriad of talents,</span> 25. <span class="rl-speech">and he having nothing to pay, his lord did command him to be sold, and his wife, and the children, and all, whatever he had, and payment to be made.</span> 26. <span class="rl-speech">The servant then, having fallen down, was bowing to him, saying, Sir, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all;</span> 27. <span class="rl-speech">and the lord of that servant having been moved with compassion did release him, and the debt he forgave him.</span> 28. <span class="rl-speech">'And, that servant having come forth, found one of his fellow-servants who was owing him an hundred denaries, and having laid hold, he took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that which thou owest.</span> 29. <span class="rl-speech">His fellow-servant then, having fallen down at his feet, was calling on him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all;</span> 30. <span class="rl-speech">and he would not, but having gone away, he cast him into prison, till he might pay that which was owing.</span> 31. <span class="rl-speech">'And his fellow-servants having seen the things that were done, were grieved exceedingly, and having come, shewed fully to their lord all the things that were done;</span> 32. <span class="rl-speech">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> 33. <span class="rl-speech">did it not behove also thee to have dealt kindly with thy fellow-servant, as I also dealt kindly with thee?</span> 34. <span class="rl-speech">'And having been wroth, his lord delivered him to the inquisitors, till he might pay all that was owing to him;</span> 35. <span class="rl-speech">so also my heavenly Father will do to you, if ye may not forgive each one his brother from your hearts their trespasses.'</span>** (Matthew 18:21-35, YLT)

## Setting

- **Speaker:** Matthew (traditionally) the tax-collector-apostle / narrator + Jesus's direct teaching
- **Audience:** Jewish-Christian audience (heavy OT-fulfillment emphasis)
- **Location:** first-century Palestine (events); possibly Antioch (composition)
- **Time period:** events c. 4 BC, AD 30/33; composed c. AD 60-80

## Theological reading

## Key words

- [G932 - basileia](/codex/g932-basileia/), *basileia* (Strong's G932). Also appears in: [Matthew 4.23](/codex/matthew-4-23/), [Matthew 5.17-20](/codex/matthew-5-17-20/), [Matthew 6.25-34](/codex/matthew-6-25-34/).
- [G1096 - ginomai](/codex/g1096-ginomai/), *ginomai* (Strong's G1096). Also appears in: [Matthew 1](/codex/matthew-1/), [Matthew 5.17-18](/codex/matthew-5-17-18/), [Matthew 8.16](/codex/matthew-8-16/).
- [G1401 - doulos](/codex/g1401-doulos/), *doulos* (Strong's G1401). Also appears in: [Matthew 8.5-12](/codex/matthew-8-5-12/), [Matthew 20.25-28](/codex/matthew-20-25-28/), [Mark 12](/codex/mark-12/).
- [G1520 - heis](/codex/g1520-heis/), *heis* (Strong's G1520). Also appears in: [Matthew 5.17-18](/codex/matthew-5-17-18/), [Matthew 6.24](/codex/matthew-6-24/), [Matthew 6.25-34](/codex/matthew-6-25-34/).
- [G2588 - kardia](/codex/g2588-kardia/), *kardia* (Strong's G2588). Also appears in: [Matthew 5.28](/codex/matthew-5-28/), [Matthew 6.21](/codex/matthew-6-21/), [Matthew 9.4](/codex/matthew-9-4/).
- [G2962 - kyrios](/codex/g2962-kyrios/), *kyrios* (Strong's G2962). Also appears in: [Matthew 1.20](/codex/matthew-1-20/), [Matthew 1](/codex/matthew-1/), [Matthew 6.24](/codex/matthew-6-24/).
- [G3056 - logos](/codex/g3056-logos/), *logos* (Strong's G3056). Also appears in: [Matthew 7.24-27](/codex/matthew-7-24-27/), [Matthew 8.5-12](/codex/matthew-8-5-12/), [Matthew 8.16](/codex/matthew-8-16/).
- [G3860 - paradidomi](/codex/g3860-paradidomi/), *paradidomi* (Strong's G3860). Also appears in: [Matthew 18.34](/codex/matthew-18-34/), [Matthew 26.15](/codex/matthew-26-15/), [Matthew 27.2](/codex/matthew-27-2/).
- [G3956 - pas](/codex/g3956-pas/), *pas* (Strong's G3956). Also appears in: [Matthew 1](/codex/matthew-1/), [Matthew 2.1-6](/codex/matthew-2-1-6/), [Matthew 2.16](/codex/matthew-2-16/).
- [G3962 - pater](/codex/g3962-pater/), *pater* (Strong's G3962). Also appears in: [Matthew 5.48](/codex/matthew-5-48/), [Matthew 6.25-26](/codex/matthew-6-25-26/), [Matthew 6.25-34](/codex/matthew-6-25-34/).

## Why these four translations

ris3n chose ASV, WEB, KJV, and YLT for two reasons together. They are the **most literal English translations available** (formal-equivalence: word-for-word renderings that preserve the Hebrew and Greek grammar rather than smoothing it into modern dynamic-equivalence idiom). And they are in the **public domain in the United States**, which means fair-use quotation at any length requires no publisher license. Modern licensed translations (NASB95, ESV, NIV) restrict volume of quotation under their copyright terms, so they are not used at stub-level coverage here. NASB95 appears only on hand-curated rich passage hubs under Lockman Foundation's fair-use allowance.

The four:

- **[ASV](/codex/asv/)** (American Standard Version, 1901). The basis of the modern critical-text English tradition.
- **[WEB](/codex/web/)** (World English Bible, contemporary). Public-domain revision in the ASV line, in current English.
- **[KJV](/codex/kjv/)** (King James Version, 1611). Reformation-era, Textus Receptus base.
- **[YLT](/codex/ylt/)** (Young's Literal Translation, Robert Young, 1862). Hyper-literal preservation of Hebrew and Greek grammar; useful for word-study work even where English reads stiff.

See [Bibles](/codex/bibles/) for the full per-translation history, translators, textual basis, strengths, and weaknesses.

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## Quoted in

**Concepts:**

- [Authority to Cast Out Demons](/codex/authority-to-cast-out-demons/), via [Matthew 18.34](/codex/matthew-18-34/)
- [Biblical Forgiveness](/codex/biblical-forgiveness/), via [Matthew 18.21-35](/codex/matthew-18-21-35/)
- [Doubt and Fear](/codex/doubt-and-fear/), via [Matthew 18.34](/codex/matthew-18-34/)
- [Jesus Said](/codex/jesus-said/), via [Matthew 18](/codex/matthew-18/)
- [Spirit of Torment](/codex/spirit-of-torment/), via [Matthew 18.34](/codex/matthew-18-34/), [Matthew 18.34-35](/codex/matthew-18-34-35/)
- [Spiritual Warfare](/codex/spiritual-warfare/)

**Lexicon:**

- [G0859 - aphesis](/codex/g0859-aphesis/), via [Matthew 18.21-35](/codex/matthew-18-21-35/)
- [G0863 - aphiemi](/codex/g0863-aphiemi/)
- [G1401 - doulos](/codex/g1401-doulos/)
- [G1520 - heis](/codex/g1520-heis/), via [Matthew 18.24](/codex/matthew-18-24/)

**Passages:**

- [Acts 2.17-18](/codex/acts-2-17-18/)
- [Colossians 3.11](/codex/colossians-3-11/)
- [Colossians 4.1](/codex/colossians-4-1/)
- [Ephesians 6](/codex/ephesians-6/)
- [John 8.34-36](/codex/john-8-34-36/)
- [Jude 1](/codex/jude-1/)
- [Luke 15.11-32](/codex/luke-15-11-32/)
- [Luke 7.1-10](/codex/luke-7-1-10/)
- [Mark 12](/codex/mark-12/)
- [Matthew 8.5-12](/codex/matthew-8-5-12/)
- [Philemon 1.16](/codex/philemon-1-16/)
- [Philippians 2.5-7](/codex/philippians-2-5-7/)
- [Philippians 2.5-8](/codex/philippians-2-5-8/)
- [Philippians 2.6-8](/codex/philippians-2-6-8/)
- [Revelation 2.20](/codex/revelation-2-20/)

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