What does Matthew 18:26 Mean?

Context Summary

Seventy times seven is illimitable forgiveness. These numbers denote the perfection of perfection; and if God asks so much of us, what is He not prepared to do! Despair of yourself, but never despair of God's forgiving mercy! The cause of soul-ruin is not sin, but the unbelief that thinks sin too great to be forgiven.

The difference between the two amounts of debt named in the parable sets forth the vast difference between our indebtedness to man and to God; and the free pardon of the king teaches us that God desires not only to forgive us, but to wipe out all memory of our sins. We could never pay all, but God will forgive all. Yet, notice that this servant forfeited the king's pardon, so that it ceased to operate. Similarly we may shut ourselves out of the benefits of Christ's death-though it has reconciled the world unto God-by an unforgiving and merciless spirit. [source]

Chapter Summary: Matthew 18

¹  Jesus warns his disciples to be humble and harmless,
⁷  to avoid offenses,
¹⁰  and not to despise the little ones;
¹⁵  teaches how we are to deal with our brothers when they offend us,
²¹  and how often to forgive them;
²³  which he sets forth by a parable of the king who took account of his servants,
³²  and punished him who showed no mercy to his fellow servant