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?
Original Language Analysis
Τότε
Then
G5119
Τότε
Then
Strong's:
G5119
Word #:
1 of 19
the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)
προσελθὼν
came
G4334
προσελθὼν
came
Strong's:
G4334
Word #:
2 of 19
to approach, i.e., (literally) come near, visit, or (figuratively) worship, assent to
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 19
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Πέτρος
Peter
G4074
Πέτρος
Peter
Strong's:
G4074
Word #:
5 of 19
a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle
Κύριε
Lord
G2962
Κύριε
Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
7 of 19
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
ἁμαρτήσει
sin
G264
ἁμαρτήσει
sin
Strong's:
G264
Word #:
9 of 19
properly, to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), i.e., (figuratively) to err, especially (morally) to sin
εἰς
against
G1519
εἰς
against
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
10 of 19
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀδελφός
brother
G80
ἀδελφός
brother
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
13 of 19
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
17 of 19
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Historical Context
Jewish teaching required forgiving three offenses; Peter's seven doubled this plus one, seemingly generous. Jesus' 'seventy times seven' deliberately echoes Genesis 4:24 where Lamech vowed unlimited vengeance—Jesus transforms unlimited vengeance into unlimited forgiveness. Kingdom citizens forgive as God forgives—without limit or scorekeeping.
Questions for Reflection
- Whose repeated offenses are you struggling to forgive unlimited times?
- How does God's unlimited forgiveness of you motivate forgiving others?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Peter's question 'Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?' appears generous—rabbinical tradition required forgiving three times. Peter's seven seems magnanimous. But Jesus' response 'I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven' (or 'seventy-seven times,' v. 22) demands unlimited forgiveness. The point isn't literal counting (490 times) but forgiving without limit, as God forgives us. This introduces the parable of the unforgiving servant.