What was Jesus trying to teach us about forgiveness at Matthew 18:22 ?

Question

"Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times." NIV

When asked if we should forgive seven times, Jesus answered with the above statement.

Answer 1

He was teaching us to never stop forgiving. It's been explained to me this way: who's going to count 77 times of forgiving? right? so he's telling us that we should always forgive.

Answer 2

The question which precipitated this response went something like "how many times should I forgive . . seven times?" In his response, Jesus dealt with the heartfelt attitude behind that question. Seems that as imperfect humans, we tend to feel: "Look, I forgave you for that same exact behavior six times in the last year alone! I am NOT going to forgive you for it anymore!"

We tend to keep track of the bad, so to speak. Like we're checking off some invisible list in our head. Jesus was making the point that genuine love does not keep an account of the injuries and that true forgiveness will be extended. Now this does not mean we allow somebody to make an idiot out of us. The thief who breaks into our house once a week, then says "I'm sorry. Forgive me," does not merit forgiveness. Why? Extended forgiveness is based on repentance. Even God does not allow us to simply say, "Gee, I'm sorry, forgive me" and then smile indulgently while we blithely go about our business sinning some more. There must be genuine forgiveness but that forgiveness is based on genuine repentance.

So while we must not keep some running tab on the number of times we extend forgiveness to our brothers, at the same time, we are not expected to smile and forgive just because the person who wronged us says, "gee, I'm sorry."

Hannah J Paul

Answer 3

We find the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant only in Matthew 18:23-35. The Apostle Peter had asked how many times one should forgive, "till seven times?" and Jesus answered, "not seven times but seventy times seven" (Matthew 18:21-22). The context of this passage is Jesus teaching His disciples about the "kingdom of heaven." We can take some very important principles from this parable and apply them to our lives today.

The servant whose lord forgave him much, ten thousand talents, equivalent to several millions of dollars, was unwilling to forgive another servant who owed him a hundred denarii. A denarii was a day's wage and was worth approximately sixteen cents. Therefore, compared to what the first servant was forgiven, this was a very small amount. The principle here is, "the one forgiven much, should forgive much." In other words, this principle of forgiveness is that grace or forgiveness to another is without limit. The disciples are not to count the number of times they forgive. Rather, as the parable teaches, they are to forgive much because God has forgiven much.

Answer 4

It's hard to know exactly what he meant, but a little background on numbers at the time:

Remember that in Biblical times, really large numbers are unheard of. The largest number in the Bible, I believe, is "a thousand thousand", that is to say a million, referring to the size of an army.

Jesus is talking to fishermen, who measure out their catch and sell it in small numbers. A number like '490' was not inconceivably large, but pretty large.

Let's also look at the symbolism. Seven is a highly symbolic number for Jews; from Genesis on down seven is associated with divine perfection, and there's a tradition in Judaism of finding symbolism in numbers. Today's Kabbalah is a modern form of it. So, saying "seven times seven" would be like saying you have to be divine squared.

It's also interesting that 490 is the largest number that can be expressed in the old Hebrew number system, using two 'digits'. So it's exactly like the song "99 Problems"; he doesn't mean he literally has 99 problems, just a lot.

But even more than this, it's a direct contradiction of Genesis 4:24, in which there is an example of revenge to the 490th degree, in relation to the first murder. This is very much Jesus' style, to allude to earlier sacred writings, but turn them inside out. Especially the way Matthew depicts Jesus.

So, to a learned Jew or early Christian this means: one must be very, very merciful; this mercy is being like God; and, I am overturning the foundations of our religion; out with vengeance and in with forgiveness.

Answer 5

The human beings isn't approximately that for the period of any respect. i do no longer watch it yet i understand this is relating to the chilly conflict and the main characters are not even American. they are Russian spies posing as an American married couple. additionally the effective geese are hockey no longer soccer so as that they are not a member of the NFL. NFL=national soccer League NHL=national Hockey League united statesa. isn't attempting to brainwash you. American television shows are considered in many countries. no longer basically Britain. we are no longer out to get you. stop being so paranoid.

Answer 6

It means you should practice unlimited forgiveness.

I believe "seventy-seven times" is a Aramaic idiom.

Answer 7

He is just saying that you can't just forgive your brother only 7 times,,,,but rater 70 X 7 times...a total of 490 times..... meaning that if your brother makes you mad, or sinned against you,,,, you have up to 490 times to forgive him/her completely........ He's giving you that option.......

Answer 8

This means, always forgive the people with less understanding.

Answer 9

I think it was 70 X 7 so 490. the point is we must be willing to forgive other repeadedly.

Answer 10

seems clear enough
the minute you slap back you have made a judgment
proved might is right
betraying you teachings and surrendered to that beast in us all
evil for evil [then evil wins]
and all the good [god] is lost