Matthew 18:32 Meaning and Explanation
“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:”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →The king summons the servant and names his wickedness in light of the mercy shown him.
What Does Matthew 18:32 Mean?
The king calls the servant back and confronts him: wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. The pardon is set directly against the servant's conduct as the measure of his guilt.
The charge is not merely that he was harsh, but that he was harsh after being forgiven so much. The king's words press the very point of the parable. Grace received lays an obligation of grace toward others. To take mercy and refuse it is to betray the gift. The servant is judged not by an abstract standard but by the kindness he himself had tasted and then denied.
Matthew 18:32 in the Original Language
poneros (πονηρός), 'wicked' -- evil, here especially the evil of hard-hearted ingratitude.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 18:32
What does Matthew 18:32 mean?
The king summons the servant and names his wickedness in light of the mercy shown him.