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Matthew 18:23-35

The Parable Of

The Unmerciful

Servant

Setting Likely in Capernaum (Galilee) 17:24 Toward middle of 3rd preaching year The disciples wonder “Who is the

greatest in the kingdom?” v. 1 Jesus’ reply is a discourse on various

topics displaying “greatness” vv. 2-20

The Unmerciful ServantMatt 18:23-35

Setting Discourse re: “greatness” vv. 2-20

To be like a child vv. 2-6 Not a stumbling block to others vv. 7-11 Restore believers gone astray vv. 12-14 Forgiving others vv. 15-20

Peter questions re: forgiving vv. 21-22

The Unmerciful ServantMatt 18:23-35

The Parable A story is best divided into 3 “scenes” Each “scene” contains incredible

events almost too incredible to believeScene 1 vv. 24-27Scene 2 vv. 28-30Scene 3 vv. 31-34

The Unmerciful ServantMatt 18:23-35

The Parable A king settles accounts with his slaves One slave owes him 10,000 talents Having no means to repay, the king

orders him, his family, & all belongings to be sold

The Unmerciful ServantMatt 18:23-35

Scene 1 vv. 24-27

The Parable The slave begged for patience, time to

repay everything The king was moved with compassion…

forgave all the debt v. 27

The Unmerciful ServantMatt 18:23-35

Scene 1 vv. 24-27

The Parable This forgiven slave finds another slave

who owes him 100 denarii The 1st slave treats him harshly The 2nd slave begs for patience, time to

repay everything…just like the 1st slave

The Unmerciful ServantMatt 18:23-35

Scene 2 vv. 28-30

The Parable The 1st slave is unwilling to show mercy He wants the 2nd slave to be

imprisoned until all his debt is repaid

The Unmerciful ServantMatt 18:23-35

Scene 2 vv. 28-30

The Parable Other slaves witness & grieve over how

the 1st slave treated the 2nd slave They reported all to the king The king rebukes the “wicked” 1st slave

and reminds him of how he was forgiven when he “entreated” the king

The Unmerciful ServantMatt 18:23-35

Scene 3 vv. 31-34

The Parable The king’s expectation of the 1st slave – He was to have had compassion on his

fellow slave He had been shown mercy re: a much

larger debt

The Unmerciful ServantMatt 18:23-35

Scene 3 vv. 31-34

The Parable The king was now moved with anger He ordered the previously forgiven

1st slave to be tortured until all his debt was repaid

The Unmerciful ServantMatt 18:23-35

Scene 3 vv. 31-34

The Application Value of 10,000 talents … unpayable

1 talent = 6,000 denarii (6,000 days’ pay) ISBE (published in 1939) states the value

of 1 gold talent = $30,750 1939 value of 10,000 talents… (if gold)

$307,500,000 !!

The Unmerciful ServantMatt 18:23-35

The Application For what did the 1st slave beg?

King’s patience…time to repay all What did the king know?

The debt was unpayable What did the 1st slave receive?

Complete forgiveness !!

The Unmerciful ServantMatt 18:23-35

The Application Value of 100 denarii

Approx. 1/3 of yearly wages Challenging to repay such a debt? Could such a debt be repaid?

(with time & patience)

The Unmerciful ServantMatt 18:23-35

The Application For what did the 2nd slave beg?

Fellow slave’s patience…time to repay all What did the 1st slave know?

The debt was payable over time What did the 2nd slave receive?

NO mercy, forgiveness !!

The Unmerciful ServantMatt 18:23-35

The Application The king’s rightful demand? v. 25 Based on the 1st slave’s behavior, the

king was inclined to show mercy v. 27 Why would the king change his mind

from mercy to wrath? v. 34 The 1st slave’s lack of mercy

The Unmerciful ServantMatt 18:23-35

The Application Some think showing forgiveness is like

filling up a container…there comes a point when “enough is enough” Peter’s statement v. 21

What does Jesus teach…is there a “limit? v. 22 Lk 17:3-4

The Unmerciful ServantMatt 18:23-35

The Application There is no “quota” re: forgiveness

70 X 7 stood for infinity…not “490” Mercy is a quality…not a quantity

The main problem with us is that we want to live with God under grace, and with our fellow man under justice

The Unmerciful ServantMatt 18:23-35

The Application

The Unmerciful ServantMatt 18:23-35

In Myself Sin Meanness Harshness Selfishness

In Others A mistake, fault Mischief Frankness Thriftiness

The Application We must forgive others because God

forgave us !! Mt 5:7 6:12 7:1-2 Eph 4:32 Col 3:12-13

There is no other way to understand and apply this parable Mt 18:33

The Unmerciful ServantMatt 18:23-35

Parable Particulars

The king = 1st slave = 2nd slave= 1st Debt = 2nd Debt =

The Unmerciful ServantMatt 18:23-35

GODA sinner (Me)Another sinner (You)My sin against GODYour sin against me

The Lesson Do I realize the magnitude of my debt

(sin) towards GOD? (unpayable) Yet, I know I need mercy

Do I show no mercy for others’ debts (sin) towards me? (payable) Yet, I extend no mercy to others

The Unmerciful ServantMatt 18:23-35

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