Sign in
MATTHEW 18:22 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
Matt 18:21Matt 18:23
“Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”
Jesus said to him: I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times. The seventy-seven (or seventy times seven) transcends the limit-setting framework entirely: the kingdom's forgiveness does not count. The number communicates the principle rather than a new limit: forgiveness in the kingdom does not operate within a counting framework. The reference to Genesis 4:24 (Lamech's seventy-seven-fold vengeance) is the reverse image: where Lamech demanded unlimited vengeance, Jesus commands unlimited forgiveness.

Church Fathers on Matthew 18:22

The Lord had said above, 'See that ye despise not one of these little ones,' and had added, 'If thy brother sin against thee, &c.' making also a promise, 'If two of you, &c.' by which the Apostle Peter was led to ask, 'Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?' And to his question he adds an opinion, 'Until seven times?'

Jerome · 4th century

Peter thought that he had made a large allowance; but what answers Christ the Lover of men? it follows, 'Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times, but, Until seventy times seven.'

Chrysostom · 4th century · Hom., lxi

I am bold to say, that if he shall sin seventy-eight times, thou shouldest forgive him; yea, and if a hundred; and how oft soever he sin against thee, forgive him. For if Christ found a thousand sins, yet forgave them all, do not you withdraw your forgiveness. For the Apostle says, 'Forgive one another, if any man hath a quarrel against any, even as God in Christ forgave you.' [Col 3:13]

Augustine · 4th century · Serm., 83, 3
Read all 8 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Publish a reflection on this verse
No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!
Matthew 18:22 — Community Reflections | HolyStudy