Matthew 17:1 ¶ And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
Matthew 17:2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
Matthew 17:3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
Matthew 17:4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
This chapter opens with a time marker; these events occur six days after Jesus declared that some of the disciples would see Him in The divine glory that He laid aside to become human. JFB notes that Luke says “about eight days after,” and rectifies that he includes the day the statement was made and the day of the event.
These disciples—Peter, James and John—are often referred to as the inner circle. Jesus took these disciples with Him up a high mountain. At some point He was transfigured before them; His face shone bright like the sun and His clothing like a bright white light. Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus. Obviously, they must have heard Jesus call them by name for the disciples to be able to identify them.
Luke provides some additional information.
Luke 9:30–33 “And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him. And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.”
Luke informs us that the discussion among the three men concerned the upcoming death of Jesus in Jerusalem. It was interesting to me that Luke referred to it as something that Jesus would accomplish. That is what many fail to see. God has foreordained His plan to work within the confines of man’s free will. It was His plan that Jesus be killed on that cross. He didn’t make those religious leaders turn on Jesus; He used their jealousy and hatred of Jesus to accomplish the sacrifice necessary to redeem man from sin. It really blows my mind when I think of how He could look down in omniscience through the ages and formulate a precise plan to accomplish His purposes by using the choices of billions of men.
We also learn that the disciples weren’t able to stay awake, and some posit that this indicates that the transfiguration took place at night. After Moses and Elijah departed, Peter suggested that they make three memorial tabernacles on the spot. “Not knowing what he said” I believe is a reference to the fact that he was unwittingly putting Moses and Elijah on the same level as Jesus; and I believe the voice of the Father affirms that thought. Jesus is the divine Son of God in flesh; Moses and Elijah are merely human.
Why Moses and Elijah? One can only speculate. I’ve heard it taught that they represent the Law and the Prophets respectively. I’ve also read that they represent those who must experience physical death and those who are translated to new life without experiencing physical death. We know that Elijah is prophesied to return and prophesy once again before Jesus returns as King of kings, and I think it likely that Moses returns with him as the two witnesses identified in Revelation in light of this appearance with Jesus.
Matthew 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
While Peter was still speaking, the voice of the Father in heaven spoke from within a cloud declaring, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him.” The Father was emphasizing that Jesus was His Son; He was preeminent over any other man as the divine Son of God. No other man would be able to please the Father to the same extent because no other man could live a life of perfection in accordance with God’s will. He admonished the disciples to pay attention to what Jesus told them.
Matthew 17:6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
Matthew 17:7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
Matthew 17:8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.
Matthew 17:9 And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.
The sound of God’s voice so frightened the disciples that they fell on their faces to the ground. Not surprising in light of scriptures that describe the voice of God.
Job 40:9 “Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?”
Psalms 29:3–8 “The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth….The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty. The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars….The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire. The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness….”
Jesus proceeded to touch the disciples, telling them to get up and explaining that they should not be afraid. When they lifted up their eyes, Moses and Elijah were gone; and it seems that Jesus was once again of normal appearance. As they came down the mountain, the Lord commanded them not to tell anyone else (including the other disciples) about what they had seen until after His resurrection from the dead.
Matthew 17:10 And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?
Matthew 17:11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.
Matthew 17:12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.
Matthew 17:13 Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.
Having just seen Elijah, the disciples question Jesus as to why the scribes declare that Elijah will come before Messiah is revealed. This teaching was rooted in the prophecy of Malachi.
Malachi 4:5–6 “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.”
They had evidently expected Elijah to stay and fulfill that prophecy at that time. Jesus explained that Elijah will come and “restore” all things. After looking at the Greek, I think this is a reference to restoring true faith among the Jewish people in God and His Messiah before He establishes His kingdom. Jesus also declared that Elijah had already come and had not been recognized, and the ruling authorities (both religious and governmental) had killed him. Yes, Herod was the instrument of John’s death; but the religious authorities were certainly not sad to see him eliminated.
Luke 7:30–33 “But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. And the Lord said…..For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil.”
Jesus, the Son of man, would also suffer death at the hands of these same ruling authorities. “Then” (Greek = at that time in the future), when that happens, the disciples would understand that Jesus was referring to John the Baptist. This was as prophesied by the angel to Zacharias before John was born.
Luke 1:17 “And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
This was not the first time that Jesus had made note of this truth.
Matthew 11:12–14 “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.”
With these words, Jesus declared that the reason the kingdom would not be established at that time was due to the fact that the Jews refused to believe the truth John declared about Jesus as the Messiah.
Matthew 17:14 ¶ And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,
Matthew 17:15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.
Matthew 17:16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
Matthew 17:17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.
Matthew 17:18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
The next day…
Luke 9:37 “And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him.”
…Jesus and His disciples once again encountered a multitude, and a man approached Jesus asking for healing for his son who was not of right mind. Luke also tells us that this was the man’s only son.
Luke 9:38 “And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child.”
Mark informs us that the boy was possessed with a spirit that made him mute and deaf and was dangerous to him.
Mark 9:17–18 & 25 “And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away….When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit….”
The man informed Jesus that he had already taken his son to His disciples, but they could not help him. Jesus answered with uncharacteristically apparent exasperation. Was this directed toward His disciples since He had empowered them to perform such miracles?
Matthew 10:1 “And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.”
David Guzik makes a pertinent observation concerning the disciples: “Their failure was in fact good for them. Their failure taught them.
It taught them not to get into a rut of mechanical ministry.
It taught them the great superiority of Jesus.
It taught them to wish for the presence of Jesus.
It taught them to come to Jesus with the problem.”
To be faithless is not to believe. The Greek for perverse means to distort, and the NIV Commentary attributes this description as “willful neglect or distortion of the evidence.” Jesus wondered how long He would have to endure their unbelief, and then told the man to bring his son to Him. Maybe the disciples were the primary target of His remarks, but I think they were also directed to the greater multitude.
Again, Mark provides further information.
Mark 9:20–27 “And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.”
The boy was brought before Jesus, and it was as if the devil recognized Jesus and determined to cause as much damage as he could before being cast out. Jesus asked the father how long the boy had suffered this possession. The father informed Him that it had been with him since childhood and often tried to destroy him. The father begged for Jesus to show compassion on them if he could (implying doubt mingled with hope). Jesus responds by telling the father that “all things are possible” if he would but have faith. The father then piteously cries from his heart words that I have often echoed—“Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief.” Jesus rebuked the devil and commanded him to leave the boy and never return. The spirit cried out causing a great epileptic fit and departed the boy leaving him so still that many thought he was dead. Jesus then reached out and took him by the hand and lifted him up showing that he was healed.
Note that the “devil” is recognized as a being with supernatural ability. Again, I think this is a truth not given much thought—at least in America today. Not everything evil that occurs can be attributed to devils/demons, but I personally believe that they are behind much more disease and wickedness than we are willing to consider. Why? Because it involves crediting the supernatural and the truth about Satan and the evil powers that are in league with him.
Matthew 17:19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
Matthew 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
Matthew 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
The disciples seemed genuinely confused as to why they could not exorcise the demon from the boy; and once with Jesus alone, they asked Him to explain. Jesus clearly stated that it was due to their lack of faith. He explained that if one would but have faith the size of a mustard seed—just the tiniest bit—he would be able to move a mountain (a word picture of doing what seems impossible). In fact, nothing would be impossible to them. He did qualify, however, that the type of demon that possessed the boy could not be cast out except by prayer and fasting. Prayer entails intimate communication with the Father and fasting evidences one’s sincerity and commitment to the objective sought through the willingness to deny self.
These are hard words to understand. I’m sure the disciples reasoned like I do that their faith in Jesus was at least comparable to a mustard seed. The greater truth is that pure faith, no matter how small, leaves no room for any doubt. What prompted their lack of faith, I don’t know. Maybe they had begun to take their ability for granted and were not really focusing on the fact that they were acting “in the name of Jesus.” I know the main thing that prompts my doubt is being unsure of God’s will concerning what I am praying about. I know that many times it is God’s will for one to experience suffering or go without or in light of greater spiritual benefit to self and/or others. I have no doubt that “God can,” but I am ever unsure of “God will.” I assume that if God wants to work a miracle through me, He will also give me the strength of faith to do it.
Matthew 17:22 ¶ And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:
Matthew 17:23 And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.
Once again Jesus took the opportunity to tell the disciples that He would be betrayed into the hands of men that would kill Him, but that He would be resurrected from the grave on the third day. This made them all very sad.
Matthew 17:24 ¶ And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
Matthew 17:25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
Matthew 17:26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
Matthew 17:27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
Once they arrived in Capernaum, the temple officers approached Peter and asked if Jesus was going to comply with paying the temple tax. Without hesitation, Peter answered, “Yes.” Once Peter arrived at home, Jesus anticipated his disclosure of what had occurred and asked him a question. My paraphrase—Peter, Do earthly kings require taxes from their children or strangers? Peter promptly answered, “Strangers.” Jesus finished the thought by noting that the children were exempt.
The obvious point being made is that Jesus is the Son of God, the One the temple was established to honor. As His Son, He was not obligated to pay that tax. However, to avoid offending the religious authorities further (since they did not recognize Him as the Son of God), He was going to pay the tax. Actually, we will see that He is going to pay the tax with a gift from the Father. Jesus instructed Peter to go down to the sea with his fishing line and cast the hook. He is to open the mouth of the first fish he catches and remove the piece of money that he finds there. He is then to take that money and pay the tax for both Jesus and Peter.
What must this seasoned fisherman have thought! How amazed he must have been when he took that money out of the mouth of that fish—one among thousands in the sea! Such a great miracle that only Peter got to see! How great is our God!!!!
I liked Spurgeon’s comment: “Thus the great Son pays the tax levied for his Father's house; but he exercises his royal prerogative in the act, and takes the shekel out of the royal treasury. As man he pays, but first as God he causes the fish to bring him the shekel in its mouth."
Historical note: The tax was one half-shekel per person and was equivalent to one or two days’ wages for an average worker.
Matthew 18:1 ¶ At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
Matthew 18:2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
Matthew 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Following on the heels of the events of the last chapter, the disciples came to Jesus with yet another question—“Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” From Mark and Luke we learn that the disciples had been arguing among themselves as to who would have the most important position when Jesus established His kingdom.
Mark 9:33–34 “And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.”
Luke 9:46 “Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.”
Mark informs us that Jesus gathered the disciples around Him and declared that he who desires to be first must be willing to humble self as servant of all.
Mark 9:35 “And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.”
Then, as He so often does, Jesus answers them with an object lesson. He called a little child to come to him and made the child the center of attention. He declared that unless one reverses course to become as lowly as a child, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. Guzik adds the following insight, “…in that day, children were regarded more as property than individuals. It was understood that they were to be seen and not heard.”
He who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven is he who humbles self as a child before God. John Trapp describes this attitude as describing one “who neither thinks great things of himself nor seeks great things for himself.”
With His statement Jesus confronts the disciples with their thoughts of selfish ambition. It is he who is willing to humble self in obedience before God that proves most valuable to Him.
Proverbs 29:23 “A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.”
Isaiah 57:15 “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”
James 4:6 “….God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”
1 Peter 5:6 “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time….”
Matthew 18:5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Millstone = a large heavy stone used to grind grain
Jesus continued to explain that when one welcomes and cares for the little children in His name, He considers it the same as receiving Him. However, anyone that causes one of these little ones to stumble in or turn away from their faith would be better off having a millstone hung around his neck and thrown into the sea to drown.
Note that His “little ones” is a reference to a person who believes in Jesus. The Lord does not take it lightly when one endangers the spiritual well being of His children.
Matthew 18:7 ¶ Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
Matthew 18:8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
Matthew 18:9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
Jesus pronounces a curse on those who live in the world that cause others to sin. Although we must endure wickedness until the Lord Jesus returns, you sure shouldn’t want to be one that is guilty of causing others to sin. If your hand or foot (referencing the things you are tempted to do) causes you to sin, it would be better to cut it off and enter eternity maimed rather than to be thrown physically whole into the fires of hell. If your eye (referencing the things that cause you to lust) causes you to sin, it would be better to pluck it out and enter eternity with one eye than to have both eyes and be thrown into the fires of hell.
Insight from Chuck Smith: “This business of, if thy hand offend thee and all, is something that Jesus meant to be repugnant. He means it to be shocking….He did not literally mean that we are to cut off our hand or to pluck out our eye, but He is only illustrating how vital it is that we enter the kingdom of heaven. It is worth more than having a whole body.”
Important to note is that Jesus is assuming we have the ability to make our own choices.
Matthew 18:10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
What a beautiful truth Jesus reveals. Each child (and each believer) has an angel in heaven. The writer to the Hebrews tells us that they are ministering spirits, and they are meant to help us.
Hebrews 1:13–14 “But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”
That these angels “always behold the face of my Father” indicates that they are ever ready to act on one’s behalf according to His bidding. One who is foolish enough to “think against” or cause harm to one of God’s children is just asking for judgment.
Adam Clarke offers this insight: “This is an allusion to the privilege granted by eastern monarchs to their chief favourites; a privilege which others were never permitted to enjoy….Our Lord's words give us to understand that humble-hearted, child-like disciples, are objects of his peculiar care, and constant attention.”
Matthew 18:11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
Matthew 18:12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?
Matthew 18:13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.
Matthew 18:14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
Continuing the flow of the context—Jesus notes that every child is important to Him. His purpose for coming to earth was to save those who are lost. Once again, He goes on to illustrate this truth. Staying in context, I think the sheep represent believers. Also in context, I think the reference is to believers who have been caused to stumble and have, therefore, gone astray.
Suppose a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray. Won’t that shepherd leave the 99 to go and look for the lost sheep? If/When (from the Greek) he finds that sheep, he greatly rejoices. Father God in heaven looks at His children in the same way; He is not willing for one of His children to perish.
Matthew 18:15 ¶ Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
Matthew 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
Matthew 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
At first it would seem that Jesus is changing the subject, but the context is still relationships among Christians. If a brother sins against you, you should go to him/her privately and try to restore fellowship. I liked Spurgeon’s comment on this directive: “It is the injured one who always has to forgive, though he has nothing to be forgiven, it always comes to that, and it is the injured one who should, if he be of the mind of Christ, be the one to commence the reconciliation.”
Hopefully, the response will be positive and fellowship restored. If not, however, you are to take one or two witnesses with you to try once again; this is to ensure that you have approached the offending brother with the right attitude and to provide testimony to the body of believers if need be. If your overture is still rejected, you are to inform the fellowship of believers; and the offending party is to be banned from fellowship. Paul goes on to explain that the purpose of such action is to bring the offending party to repentance.
1 Corinthians 5:5 “To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.”
Matthew 18:18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Matthew 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Following in context, the Lord is basically saying that God honors such decisions.
The Greek for “agree” states to be harmonious. I loved Adam Clarke’s observation on these verses: “It is a metaphor taken from a number of musical instruments set to the same key, and playing the same tune: here, it means a perfect agreement of the hearts, desires, wishes, and voices, of two or more persons praying to God. It also intimates that as a number of musical instruments, skilfully played, in a good concert, are pleasing to the ears of men, so a number of persons united together in warm, earnest, cordial prayer, is highly pleasing in the sight and ears of the Lord. Now this conjoint prayer refers, in all probability, to the binding and loosing in the preceding verse; and thus we see what power faithful prayer has with God!”
I think the key truth is found in verse 20. When believers gather together in the name of Jesus to seek His will and/or ask His blessing, He is with us. That fact should serve to purify our petitions.
Matthew 18:21 ¶ Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
Matthew 18:22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Evidently, the Lord’s words had set Peter to thinking; and he poses a question basically saying—“Lord, how many times must I forgive one who sins against me?”
The NIV Commentary provides some insight: “In rabbinic discussion, the consensus was that a person might be forgiven a repeated sin three times; on the fourth, there was no forgiveness. Peter, thinking himself big-hearted, volunteers “seven times” in answer to his own question.”
Peter must have been shocked when Jesus answered not seven times but until seventy times seven. I had always assumed this to mean a number so large that it inferred we were not to keep track. I loved the following insight I received from listening to Joe Focht (my wording)—Seventy times seven is a reference to the timing revealed by Daniel as denoting the coming of Jesus to set up His kingdom.
Daniel 9:24 “Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.”
“weeks” = weeks of years or 70 x 7 (see journal on Daniel)
So, Jesus is basically saying that we should keep on forgiving our brothers/sisters until He returns.
I wonder if Peter made that connection?
Matthew 18:23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
Matthew 18:24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
Matthew 18:25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
Matthew 18:26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
Matthew 18:27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
Once again, Jesus tells a story to make His point. He compares the kingdom of heaven to a king who decided to reconcile accounts with his servants. It was soon discovered that one servant was indebted to him for 10,000 talents. The man could not possibly pay his debt, so the king commanded that he, his family and his possessions be sold to make payment against his debt. The servant fell down before the king and worshipped him begging for patience and promising to pay off the debt. The king was moved with compassion, set him free and forgave him the debt.
The Jewish New Testament Commentary offers the following insight: “In Roman times one talent equalled 6,000 denarii, a denarius being roughly a day’s wages for a common laborer. If a day’s wages today is in the neighborhood of $50, 10,000 talents would be $3 billion! In the Tanakh a talent weighs 75.6 avoirdupois pounds. This amount of gold, at $350/troy ounce, is worth nearly $4 billion; the same amount of silver, at $4/troy ounce, comes to over $40 million.”
Matthew 18:28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
Matthew 18:29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
Matthew 18:30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
That same servant, however, went out and found one of his fellowservants that owed him a mere 100 pence in comparison to the debt he had owed the king. He grabbed him by the throat demanding that the man pay him what was owed. His fellowservant fell down at his feet and begged him for patience, and he would pay off the debt (just as he had done before the king). The servant, however, showed no compassion; he had the man put into prison until he could pay the debt.
Matthew 18:31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
Matthew 18:32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
Matthew 18:33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
Matthew 18:34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
Matthew 18:35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
When the other servants saw what had happened, they were grieved and went to inform the king. He immediately called the servant before him and confronted him with his wickedness. The king pointed out that he should have shown compassion to his fellowservant just as he had been shown compassion. The king was very angry and delivered the servant to the “tormentors” until he paid his debt of 10,000 talents.
Now the point of the story—God the Father, Jesus’ Father, will respond in like manner to those who do not forgive fellow believers of their sins against them. I like the way Guzik words it: “The principle is clear. God has forgiven such a great debt, that any debt owed to us is absolutely insignificant in comparison. No man can possibly offend me to the extent that my sins have offended God. This principle must be applied in the little things done to us, but also to the great things done unto us.”