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.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σύνδουλος
fellowservant
G4889
σύνδουλος
fellowservant
Strong's:
G4889
Word #:
4 of 19
a co-slave, i.e., servitor or ministrant of the same master (human or divine)
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 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
εὶς
at
G1519
εὶς
at
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
6 of 19
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 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
παρεκάλει
and besought
G3870
παρεκάλει
and besought
Strong's:
G3870
Word #:
10 of 19
to call near, i.e., invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 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
λέγων,
saying
G3004
λέγων,
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
12 of 19
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Μακροθύμησον
Have patience
G3114
Μακροθύμησον
Have patience
Strong's:
G3114
Word #:
13 of 19
to be long-spirited, i.e., (objectively) forbearing or (subjectively) patient
ἐπ'
with
G1909
ἐπ'
with
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
14 of 19
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Historical Context
In Mediterranean honor-shame culture, suppliant postures (falling at feet, public pleading) created social obligation for the superior to show mercy, especially in front of witnesses. The wicked servant's refusal would be recognized as shameful—violating expected reciprocity. His behavior publicly dishonors himself while exposing his ingratitude for his own cancelled debt.
Questions for Reflection
- When have you heard your own words of excuse or self-justification from someone seeking your forgiveness, yet still withheld mercy?
- How does withholding forgiveness reveal that you haven't truly internalized the magnitude of forgiveness you've received from God?
- What makes a payable debt (100 denarii) seem too large to forgive when you've been forgiven an impossible one (10,000 talents)?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all—the identical words and posture the first servant used (v. 26). This deliberate repetition heightens the tragedy: the forgiven servant heard his own plea echoed back but remained unmoved. The parallel language creates dramatic irony—readers recognize what the wicked servant ignores: he's recreating the exact scenario from which he just escaped.
The Greek parekalei (παρεκάλει, 'besought') indicates earnest pleading. Unlike the first servant's impossible promise (10,000 talents), this debt was actually payable given time. The fellow servant sought what the first servant received: makrothymia (μακροθυμία, 'patience, forbearance'). Yet the forgiven servant couldn't extend the minor grace he'd received in infinite measure.