• Matthew 18:23-35
    Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”
     


Related Scriptures

  • Matthew 18:21-22
    Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
     
  • Matthew 6:12
    And forgive us our debts,
    As we forgive our debtors.

     
  • Matthew 6:14-15
    "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
     
  • Colossians 3:12-14
    Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
     
  • Ephesians 4:32
    And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
     
  • Matthew 5:43-45
    "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
     

For more scripture references, please see Bible verses for Parable of the Unforgiving Servant


Resources

Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

Jesus teaches us how to deal with offenses and sins against us in this parable, focusing on our attitude of forgiveness because of being forgiven ourselves.


Forgiveness and Forgiving

CGG Weekly by John Reiss

God offered His Son to pay our penalties even before we realized the need for Him, and He wants us to acknowledge His Son's sacrifice, and confess our sins.


Sins in the Balance (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

The Bible is full of commands to forgive and examples of forgiveness, and none of them stipulates that we wait for the sinner to repent before we forgive.


Sins in the Balance (Part One)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Forgiveness is not a feeling that washes over us, but a conscious choice. It does not mean that the offense will never come to mind, nor that all the pain vanishes.


The Prisoners

Sermonette by Austin Del Castillo

'To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.' Forgiving and being forgiven are part of being a family.


Forgiveness

Article by John O. Reid (1930-2016)

Following our too frequent mess-ups in life, forgiveness is so refreshing! We must forgive others if we are to be forgiven.


The Model Prayer (Part Seven): Forgive Us Our Debts

Bible Study by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

In His Model Prayer, Jesus states that God's forgiveness of us depends on our forgiving others. Forgiveness spurs reconciliation among God's people.


God's Enduring Mercy

CGG Weekly by Ronny H. Graham

Our hearts may overflow with compassion for someone in need, and it could be in our power to help, but if we take no positive action, what good is it?



For more resources, please see the library topic for Parable of the Unforgiving Servant