Matthew 18:34 Meaning and Explanation
“And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →In anger the king hands the unmerciful servant over to be punished.
What Does Matthew 18:34 Mean?
The king, now angry, delivers the servant to the tormentors until he should pay all he owed. Having refused mercy, the servant is met with strict justice, and the once-cancelled debt stands against him again.
The reversal is sobering. The mercy he scorned is withdrawn, and he is left to the full weight of what he owes, a weight he can never pay. Jesus uses this severe ending to show how seriously God regards an unforgiving heart among those He has forgiven. To refuse mercy to others is to step out from under the mercy we ourselves depend upon.
Matthew 18:34 in the Original Language
basanistes (βασανιστής), 'tormentors' -- jailers who exact what is owed through hardship.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 18:34
What does Matthew 18:34 mean?
In anger the king hands the unmerciful servant over to be punished.