←
Explanation for:
Matthew
18
:
29
And his fellow servant falling down, besought him, saying: Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
10
more explanations
& daily audio-books
spoken by
– enjoy in Theosis App –
Start your
Bible-journey
with explanations
& daily audio-books
only 4$* per month
{"arr":[{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Utilizing the same plea through which he sought forgiveness, this individual likewise requests salvation. However, his profound cruelty left him unmoved by these words, nor did he recognize that he himself was granted salvation through the same plea. Even were he to extend forgiveness, it would not have stemmed from a place of humanity but rather from a sense of duty and obligation. Indeed, had he acted before the reckoning with the master, after receiving such a favor, his response might have been one of genuine generosity. Yet, following so great a gift and the absolution of countless sins, he was already bound, as if by an inescapable obligation, to refrain from harboring resentment towards his fellow servant. Nevertheless, he failed to do so and did not acknowledge the vast disparity between the pardon he had received and the one he ought to have granted to his brother. Truly, the difference is evident not only in the monetary amounts owed but also in the status of the individuals involved and the very nature of their forgiveness. The debt there was ten thousand talents, while here it was a mere hundred denarii; one was indebted to the lord, while the other was in debt to his companion; one could offer a favor by receiving assistance, but the lord forgave him entirely, expecting nothing in return. What follows? It is stated that “his companion fell at his feet.” Notice how often the Evangelist emphasizes the term “his fellow-servant,” not without intent, so that we may understand there was no hierarchy between them. Yet the fellow debtor implores his creditor with the same humbling request that he himself had made to his master: “Bear with me, and I will repay you everything.”"},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"The depth of human cruelty is evident in that the one who has been granted immense forgiveness, symbolized by ten thousand talents, refuses to extend even a fraction of that grace, as represented by one hundred denarii. Moreover, he denies any clemency, despite the servant's pleas, which echo the very mercy he himself received: ‘be patient with me, and I will repay you in full.’"},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"He felt no embarrassment regarding the petition made in the same terms, through which he received his own forgiveness, nor did he reflect on his own plight, instead choosing to act more ruthlessly than any animal. Their pleas differed significantly: one sought a large sum of money, while the other requested a considerably smaller amount; one was burdened with a debt of ten thousand, while the other owed merely a hundred; one was a master, while the other was simply a servant like himself."},{"author-name":"Nicephoros (Theotokis)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8958407451968d9c204fb_Nicephoros%20(Theotokis).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":18,"exegesis-text":"Let the Lord demonstrate His immense compassion towards His servant, humanity, when we seek His forgiveness for our transgressions, and let it highlight the hardness of heart that exists when we withhold pardon from our fellow man. This is illustrated by a guilty individual begging another for mercy regarding his debts, much like a sinner pleads with God for the absolution of his wrongdoings. The sinner humbly approaches God, bowing before Him, requesting patience and vowing to amend his ways. For he earnestly pleads, \\"Lord, be patient with me, and I will repay you all.\\" Likewise, the debtor falls at the feet of his fellow man, showing reverence, and implores him for mercy, promising to repay the owed amount. He beseeches, \\"Have patience with me, and I will repay all your debt.\\" However, the Master of all, in His mercy, forgives the sinner’s numerous wrongs, and the Lord, in His grace, cancels the servant’s debt. Yet that same servant chooses not to extend forgiveness to his fellow man. Instead, he imprisons him until the debt is settled. Who among us would not feel shame upon hearing such a tale? The Almighty forgives a multitude of my gravest sins because of my appeals, repentance, and vows of better conduct; yet, as a mere creature of the earth, I fail to forgive my sibling for the smallest offense or tiniest debt, even when he pleads, repents, and assures me he will repay. Consider the dire outcome of my unforgiving nature: \\"And when the nobles saw her that was there, they shrank greatly: and they came and said unto their lord all that was there.\\""},{"author-name":"Tichon of Zadonsk","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989ff6b5b4c943e70095_Tichon%20of%20Zadonsk.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":18,"exegesis-text":"This parable conveys a clear message: those who harbor anger towards their neighbor and refuse to forgive their offenses will not only find their own sins unforgiven by God, but the sins that were previously pardoned will also be brought back to mind. The compassionate king forgave the debt of the servant, yet due to the servant's lack of mercy towards his fellow man, the king reinstated the debt and handed him over to tormentors for punishment."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Then his companion knelt before him, pleading, and said, \\"Have patience with me, and I will repay you everything.\\" Yet it was futile; the harsh man remained unmoved, disregarding the mercy he had just been shown. He forgot the kindness he himself had recently received and instead treated his fellow servant with a brutality unmatched even by savage creatures."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"In the same manner that he received pardon, he likewise seeks redemption."},{"author-name":"Bogolepow D.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The Lord’s teaching encourages His followers to take every possible action to lead the lost toward the path of salvation. Only after they have shown persistent disobedience to the entire congregation should they be excluded from its communion, yet once they show genuine remorse, they must be welcomed back into fellowship. However, this directive does not seem entirely clear to Peter; he perceives that there should be limits to the extent of forgiveness extended to those who wrong him. Therefore, he inquires about the number of times he ought to forgive a brother who transgresses against him. The Jewish teachers suggested forgiving up to three times, but Peter, sensing this falls short in light of Christ’s teachings, questions whether forgiving seven times would be sufficient. Jesus responds by instructing Peter that forgiveness should be offered without limit. Regarding those who sin against the church, they are to be forgiven endlessly, contingent upon their repentance. However, in the context of personal offenses—which is what Peter’s inquiry addressed—this call to forgive must be understood as absolute."},{"author-name":"Alexander Gorsky","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8884037c1e1c51e1332e2_Alexander%20Gorsky.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The series of actions and teachings presented at the conclusion of Jesus Christ's journey through Galilee encapsulate significant moments. Beginning with His departure to Caesarea and the pivotal inquiry, \\"Who do men say that I am?\\" the narrative intertwines themes of resisting temptation and the parable of the Son of Man seeking the lost (18:15-20, 21-35). Additionally, the Evangelist Matthew includes guidance on addressing those who offend—both when the individual refuses to acknowledge their wrongdoing and when they recognize it and seek forgiveness. In the former instance, a series of progressively firmer steps are suggested to lead the offender to repentance; in the latter case, forgiveness is boundless. Determining whether these teachings were offered by the Lord concurrently is challenging. Yet, considering the Savior's earlier proclamations and the interactions among the Apostles, a connection may exist. Notably, neither St. Luke nor St. Mark recount this particular dialogue at this moment. This discourse partially clarifies when the Apostles should exercise their authority to bind and make judgments, while also illustrating a high moral standard for Christ's followers in their interactions with others—initially, the self-humbling mentioned earlier, and subsequently, the vigilant care to avoid causing others to stumble. Thus, the internal coherence of these teachings remains intact, although the external historical context is less clear from the Evangelist's brief note about the Apostles' disputes. As the narrative moves beyond Galilee, it is important to recognize that not all occurrences from that region are recorded. We lack knowledge of the events in Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum—circumstances that elicited such stern warnings from the Lord (Luke 10:13-15)."},{"author-name":"Strannik (Journal)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The lesson of this parable is that those who refuse to extend mercy to others cannot anticipate receiving mercy from God themselves. Who does the first servant represent? He symbolizes a sinner beginning to recognize the peril of his state and feeling the fear of retribution, yet still hoping to achieve salvation through his own actions. What is his plea? He asks for patience, promising to repay all his debts. Is this promise achievable? No, his obligation is insurmountable. What action does the king take? Moved by compassion, he absolves the servant of his debt. What overarching message can we derive from this? It illustrates that God, on account of the merits of His beloved Son, is inclined to forgive those who sincerely repent. What should the stark contrast between a hundred denarii and ten thousand talents teach us? It reminds us that our wrongs against our neighbors pale in comparison to our transgressions against God. What does the harsh treatment of the first servant towards his fellow servant reveal? It indicates that his heart remained unchanged. What lesson does his punishment convey? It underscores the seriousness of hardness of heart, demonstrating that God punishes such attitudes severely, even toward those who have wronged us. Overall, this parable indicates that we ought to humbly seek God’s forgiveness for our sins for the sake of Jesus Christ and to be patient and forgiving towards all who have hurt or insulted us. \\n\\nFor thy name's sake, O Lord, pardon my iniquity; for it is great. Psalm 25:11. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more. Heb. 8:12. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Matthew 6:12. But if you do not forgive people their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses. Matt. 6:15. For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. James 2:13. But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you. Matthew 5:44. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you. Eph. 4:32."}]}
Support this project and get full access for only 4$/month
Commentarie text can’t be scrolled on PC at the moment. Please use your phone. We’re working on a fix.
