Matthew 18:28-31 28But when that servant left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he choked him saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29So, falling upon his knees, his fellow servant cried out to him saying, ‘Be patient with me, and I will repay you!’ 30 And he did not wish to but leaving he cast him into prison until he should repay what he owed. 31So, when his fellow servant saw the things which had taken place, they were greatly disturbed, and going to their own master, they explained all the things which had taken place.
The second scene of the parable takes a downhill turn with a clear contrast to the first scene. In each scene, the situation is given, the lender confronts and threatens the debtor, the debtor cries for mercy, and a verdict is given. There are three significant reversals in this parable at the point of the verdict.
Each of the three scenes of this parable has a reversal. The reversal in the second scene occurs when the servant who had just been forgiven the 10,000 talent debt turns around and unconditionally demands the payment of the 100 denarii from his fellow servant. One would expect the forgiven servant to be merciful to his fellow servant.
Debt was a major problem in the first century. Many people lived at the poverty level, barely earning enough for survival. When emergencies came up, going in debt was often the only option. If they were unable to pay their debt, they could be sold into slavery or imprisoned. Prisons were terrible places. Prisoners could be chained to stocks. The only food or medical care they would receive would be from loved ones. There were only two options for those in debt: beg for mercy from the lender or ask family to help out. What the indebted servants experienced in this parable was a common occurrence for many of the unfortunate throughout the ancient world of that time.
Each scene of the parable has a message that emerges with the verdict. The keyword is “forgiveness” (aphiēmi) found in verses 21, 27, 32, and 35. The word basically means “send off,” “release,” “hurl,” or “pardon.” When used for debts, it can mean cancel or clear the account. When used in a religious sense, it means to forgive. The second part of this story highlights an unforgiving attitude. The infinite level of forgiveness seen in the first part of the parable stands in sharp contrast to the small forgiveness needed in the second part. The one who had been forgiven basically his life would not even forgive someone who owed him a small amount. The servant who had been given grace spurns that grace by failing to extend it to others. This failure to forgive shows the depth of human depravity compared to the limitless depth of God’s forgiveness.
Unforgiveness always affects people. It impacts the person who needs to forgive and leads to hardness of heart. It affects the person who needs forgiven who may suffer from the injustice of the power holder. It also affects those who are watching and are involved in relationships by raising doubts about the unforgiving person and the one who forgave. If we fail to forgive, it says something about our attitude towards God and God’s grace towards us.
For older posts, click here.