Matthew 18:21 Meaning and Explanation
“Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Peter asks where forgiveness ends, and Jesus is about to show him it has no fixed limit.
The Context of Matthew 18:21
Peter comes to Jesus during His teaching on how the community of disciples should handle sin and reconciliation among themselves. Thinking himself generous, Peter offers a number. Jesus' answer follows in the next verse, and then the parable of the unforgiving servant.
What Does Matthew 18:21 Mean?
Peter steps forward with a question that sounds humble and even generous. How many times must he forgive a brother who keeps wronging him? Then he ventures a number, 'till seven times,' likely expecting praise, since common teaching suggested three. Peter has tripled it and more. But notice the heart of his question: he is looking for the place where forgiveness can finally stop, the line past which he is free to hold the offense. He wants a limit, a number he can reach and be done.
Jesus answers, 'Until seventy times seven' (Matthew 18:22), not a higher number to count to but a way of saying we stop keeping count at all. This is the mercy Jesus Himself lives out toward us, forgiving again and again, more times than we could tally. He would pray forgiveness over the very people driving the nails. Peter, who would one day deny Him three times and be restored, learned that the One he followed forgives past every limit we try to set.
Matthew 18:21 in the Original Language
aphiemi (ἀφίημι), 'forgive' -- to release, let go, send away; to set down what someone owes us.
How to Apply Matthew 18:21 Today
Like Peter, we often want to know where forgiving someone is finally allowed to stop. This verse, and Jesus' answer to it, gently lifts the ceiling off. Because Christ forgives us past all counting, we are freed to stop tallying the wrongs done to us.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 18:21
What does Matthew 18:21 mean?
Peter asks where forgiveness ends, and Jesus is about to show him it has no fixed limit.
What is the context of Matthew 18:21?
Peter comes to Jesus during His teaching on how the community of disciples should handle sin and reconciliation among themselves. Thinking himself generous, Peter offers a number. Jesus' answer follows in the next verse, and then the parable of the unforgiving servant.
How can I apply Matthew 18:21 today?
Like Peter, we often want to know where forgiving someone is finally allowed to stop. This verse, and Jesus' answer to it, gently lifts the ceiling off. Because Christ forgives us past all counting, we are freed to stop tallying the wrongs done to us.