So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if you from your hearts forgive not everyone his brother their trespasses.
All Commentaries on Matthew 18:35 Go To Matthew 18
John Chrysostom
AD 407
That none should think that the Lord had enjoined something great and burdensome in saying that we must forgive till seventy times seven, He adds aparable.
See the exuberance of heavenly love! The servant asked only a brief respite, but he gives him more than he had asked, a full remittance and cancelling of the whole debt. He was minded to have forgiven him from the very first, but he would not have it to be of his own mere motion, but also of the other’s suit, that he might not depart without a gift. But he did not remit the debt till hehad taken account, because he would have him know how great debts he set him free of, that by this he should at the least be made more merciful to his fellow servants. And indeed as far as what has gone he was worthy to be accepted; for he made confession, and promised that he would pay the debt, and fell down and begged, and confessed the greatness of his debt. But his after deeds were unworthy of the former, for it follows, “But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants which owed him a hundred denarii.”.
By saying, “as he went out,” He shows that it was not after long time, but immediately; while the favour he had received still sounded in his ears, he abused to wickedness the liberty his lord had accorded him. What the other did is added; “And his fellow servant fell down, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.”.
Observe the Lord’s tenderness, and the servant’s cruelty; the one for ten thousand talents, the other for ten denarii; the one a suitor to his fellow, the other to his lord; the one obtained entire remission, the other sought only respite, but he got it not. They who owed nought grieved with him; “his fellow servants, seeing what was done, were very sorry.”.
When he owed him ten thousand talents, he did not call him wicked, nor did heat all chide him, but had mercy on him; but now when he had been ungenerous tohis fellow servant, then he says to him, “Thou wicked servant;” and this is what is said, “Oughtest thou not to have had mercy upon thy fellow servant.”.
Because kindness had not mended him, it remains that he be corrected by punishment; whence it follows, “And the lord of that servant was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay the whole debt.: He said not merely, “Delivered him,” but “was angry,” this he had not said before; when his Lord commanded that he should be sold; for that was not in wrath, but in love, for his correction; now this is a sentence of penalty and punishment. Never; that “until” is put for infinity; and the meaning is, He shall be ever paying, and shall never quit the debt, but shall be ever under punishment.
By this is shown that his punishment shall be increasing and eternal, and that he shall never pay. And however irrevocable are the graces and callings of God, yet wickedness has that force, that it seems to break even this law.
