New International Version“Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.
New Living TranslationThen the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me.
English Standard VersionThen his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.
Berean Standard BibleThen the master summoned him and said, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave all your debt because you begged me.
Berean Literal BibleThen his master having called him, says to him, 'Evil servant, I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.
King James BibleThen his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
New King James VersionThen his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.
New American Standard BibleThen summoning him, his master said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.
NASB 1995“Then summoning him, his lord said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.
NASB 1977“Then summoning him, his lord said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you entreated me.
Legacy Standard BibleThen summoning him, his lord said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.
Amplified BibleThen his master called him and said to him, ‘You wicked and contemptible slave, I forgave all that [great] debt of yours because you begged me.
Christian Standard BibleThen, after he had summoned him, his master said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.
Holman Christian Standard Bible“Then, after he had summoned him, his master said to him, You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.
American Standard VersionThen his lord called him unto him, and saith to him, Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou besoughtest me:
Contemporary English VersionThe king called the first official back in and said, "You're an evil man! When you begged for mercy, I said you did not have to pay back a cent.
English Revised VersionThen his lord called him unto him, and saith to him, Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou besoughtest me:
GOD'S WORD® Translation"Then his master sent for him and said to him, 'You evil servant! I canceled your entire debt, because you begged me.
Good News TranslationSo he called the servant in. 'You worthless slave!' he said. 'I forgave you the whole amount you owed me, just because you asked me to.
International Standard VersionThen his master sent for him and told him, 'You evil servant! I canceled that entire debt for you because you begged me.
NET BibleThen his lord called the first slave and said to him, 'Evil slave! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me!
New Heart English BibleThen his lord called him in, and said to him, 'You wicked servant. I forgave you all that debt, because you begged me.
Webster's Bible TranslationThen his lord, having called him, said to him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
Weymouth New TestamentAt once his master called him and said, "'Wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt, because you entreated me: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen the master summoned him and said, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave all your debt because you begged me.
World English BibleThen his lord called him in and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionthen having called him, his lord says to him, Evil servant! All that debt I forgave you, seeing you called on me;
Berean Literal BibleThen his master having called him, says to him, 'Evil servant, I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.
Young's Literal Translation then having called him, his lord saith to him, Evil servant! all that debt I did forgive thee, seeing thou didst call upon me,
Smith's Literal TranslationThen his lord, having called him, said unto him, O thou evil servant, I let go to you all that debt since thou besoughtest me: Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThen his lord called him; and said to him: Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all the debt, because thou besoughtest me:
Catholic Public Domain VersionThen his lord called him, and he said to him: ‘You wicked servant, I forgave you all your debt, because you pleaded with me.
New American BibleHis master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to.
New Revised Standard VersionThen his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen his master called him and said to him, O wicked servant, I cancelled all your debt because you begged me.
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishThen his lord called him, and said to him, “You wicked servant, I forgave you that entire debt because you begged me.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentThen his lord called him and said to him: Wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt, because you besought me.
Godbey New TestamentThen his lord calling him says to him, Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, since thou didst intreat me:
Haweis New Testament
Then his lord, calling him before him, said to him, Thou vile slave! all that debt I forgave thee, because thou besoughtest me:
Mace New Testament
then his lord order'd him to be call'd, and said to him, O thou wicked slave, I forgave thee all thy debt, upon your request:
Weymouth New Testament
At once his master called him and said, "'Wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt, because you entreated me:
Worrell New Testament
"Then, calling him tohim, his lord says to him, 'Evil servant! I forgave you all that debt, because you besought me.
Worsley New Testament
Then his lord called for himagain, and said to him, Thou wicked slave, I forgave thee all thatvast debt at thy request,
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Unforgiving Servant… 31When his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and recounted all of this to their master. 32Thenthemastersummonedhimand declared,‘You wickedservant!I forgaveallyourdebtbecauseyou beggedme.33Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had on you?’…
Cross References Matthew 6:12And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Matthew 6:14-15For 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 yours.
Luke 6:37Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
Ephesians 4:32Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.
Colossians 3:13Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
James 2:13For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Romans 12:19Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
Luke 7:41-43“Two men were debtors to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. / When they were unable to repay him, he forgave both of them. Which one, then, will love him more?” / “I suppose the one who was forgiven more,” Simon replied. “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.
Luke 17:3-4Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. / Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
Mark 11:25And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against another, forgive it, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your trespasses as well.”
Romans 14:10Why, then, do you judge your brother? Or why do you belittle your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.
2 Corinthians 2:10If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And if I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven it in the presence of Christ for your sake,
Genesis 50:17‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I beg you, please forgive the transgression and sin of your brothers, for they did you wrong.’ So now, Joseph, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.
Exodus 34:6-7Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness, / maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”
Psalm 103:10-14He has not dealt with us according to our sins or repaid us according to our iniquities. / For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His loving devotion for those who fear Him. / As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. ...
Treasury of Scripture Then his lord, after that he had called him, said to him, O you wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt, because you desired me: O thou. Matthew 25:26 His lord answered and said unto him,Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Luke 19:22 And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee,thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: Romans 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Jump to Previous BeggedBesoughtBondmanCanceledDebtDesiredstEntreatedEvilForgaveForgiveFreeMasterOncePleadedServantSlaveSummonedSummoningWickedJump to Next BeggedBesoughtBondmanCanceledDebtDesiredstEntreatedEvilForgaveForgiveFreeMasterOncePleadedServantSlaveSummonedSummoningWickedMatthew 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.Then the master summoned himIn the parable of the unforgiving servant, the master represents God, who is sovereign and just. The act of summoning indicates a call to account, reflecting the biblical principle that all will stand before God to give an account of their actions ( Romans 14:12). This summoning is a reminder of divine authority and the accountability each person has before God. and said, ‘You wicked servant!
The term "wicked" highlights the moral failing of the servant, who, despite receiving mercy, failed to extend it to others. This reflects the biblical teaching that wickedness is not just about actions but also the condition of the heart (Jeremiah 17:9). The servant's behavior contrasts with the righteousness expected of those who have received God's grace. I forgave all your debt
The forgiveness of debt symbolizes the immense grace and mercy God extends to humanity. In biblical times, debt was a serious matter, often leading to slavery or imprisonment. The complete forgiveness of debt signifies the totality of God's forgiveness of sin, as seen in passages likePsalm 103:12, where God removes transgressions as far as the east is from the west. because you begged me.
This phrase underscores the importance of humility and repentance in receiving God's mercy. The servant's initial plea for mercy mirrors the sinner's cry for salvation. It reflects the biblical principle that God is compassionate and responsive to those who earnestly seek His forgiveness (2 Chronicles 7:14,Luke 18:13-14). The servant's failure to show the same mercy he received highlights the expectation that those forgiven by God should forgive others (Ephesians 4:32). Persons / Places / Events 1. The MasterRepresents God in the parable, who is merciful and willing to forgive. 2. The Wicked ServantSymbolizes individuals who receive forgiveness but fail to extend it to others. 3. The DebtRepresents sin or transgressions that are forgiven by God. 4. The Parable of the Unforgiving ServantA teaching of Jesus illustrating the importance of forgiveness. 5. JesusThe speaker of the parable, teaching His disciples about the kingdom of heaven and forgiveness. Teaching Points Understanding ForgivenessRecognize that forgiveness is a central tenet of Christian faith, reflecting God's grace towards us. The Weight of DebtAcknowledge the magnitude of our own forgiven sins and the freedom it brings. The Call to Forgive OthersEmbrace the responsibility to forgive others as a reflection of God's forgiveness. Consequences of UnforgivenessUnderstand that failing to forgive can lead to spiritual and relational consequences. Living in GratitudeCultivate a heart of gratitude for the forgiveness received, which should overflow into our relationships with others. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Matthew 18:32?
2.How does Matthew 18:32 illustrate God's expectations for forgiveness among believers?
3.What does "wicked servant" reveal about God's view on unforgiveness?
4.How can we apply Matthew 18:32 in our daily relationships?
5.Which other scriptures emphasize the importance of forgiving others as God forgives?
6.How does understanding Matthew 18:32 impact your approach to conflicts with others?
7.What does Matthew 18:32 reveal about God's expectations for forgiveness among believers?
8.How does Matthew 18:32 challenge our understanding of justice and mercy?
9.Why is the servant's debt significant in the context of Matthew 18:32?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 18?
11.How often should we forgive others?
12.Will forgiving others lead to your own forgiveness?
13.Why not forgive others as you've been forgiven?
14.Is withholding forgiveness supported by the Bible?What Does Matthew 18:32 Mean Then the master summoned himThe scene shifts to an immediate audience with the master. • No delay, no bureaucratic layers—the servant stands face-to-face with the one who controls his destiny (Matthew 18:23–24). • Scripture often pictures God calling every person to account (Hebrews 9:27;Romans 14:12). • Just as the master initiates this meeting, God Himself takes the initiative in judgment and mercy (John 6:44). • The summoning reminds us that grace never erases accountability; it heightens it (Luke 12:48).
You wicked servant!The master’s opening words reveal the servant’s true character. • “Wicked” is moral, not merely financial. His problem is a heart that refuses to mirror his master’s grace (Matthew 18:28–30). • Jesus uses similar language when servants bury their talent or disregard their stewardships (Matthew 25:26;Luke 19:22). • This exposes the deceitfulness of a heart that enjoys pardon yet withholds it from others (Jeremiah 17:9;Proverbs 28:13). • God’s verdict on unforgiving attitudes is not “unwise,” but “wicked.”
I forgave all your debtThe master reminds him of the staggering gift already given. • The debt was “ten thousand talents” (Matthew 18:24)—humanly unpayable, picturing sin’s incalculable weight (Psalm 40:12). • Forgiveness here is total, final, and free—echoed inColossians 2:13-14, where God “canceled the record of debt.” • The servant’s experience illustratesPsalm 103:12 (“as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions”) andIsaiah 1:18 (“though your sins are scarlet, they shall be as white as snow”). • Grace received should produce grace given (Ephesians 4:32).
because you begged meThe master’s generosity was triggered by humble, desperate pleading. • The servant had no collateral, only a cry for mercy (Matthew 18:26). • Scripture consistently links God’s pardon to genuine contrition (Psalm 34:18;Luke 18:13-14). • “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13); the call itself is evidence of recognized need. • Yet true repentance always bears fruit—especially the fruit of forgiving others (Luke 3:8;James 2:13).
summaryMatthew 18:32 shows the master (representing God) confronting an unforgiving servant. He reminds the man that: • Accountability is unavoidable. • Unforgiveness is wickedness, not a minor flaw. • The servant had received total, unearned cancellation of an impossible debt. • That grace came solely because he asked for mercy. Jesus’ point: anyone forgiven so lavishly by God must forgive others with the same generosity, or face the righteous judgment of the Master who first forgave them. (32) Desiredst me.--Better, entreatedst me. In the story of the parable, the man had not specifically asked for this. His general prayer for forbearance had been answered above all that he could ask or think. Verse 32. - After that he had called him. A second time he is brought before his lord, not now to receive forgiveness, but to have the enormity of his guilt exhibited to him, and to suffer well deserved punishment. In a mystical sense this call is the summons of death, which is virtually judgment. O thou wicked servant. The lord had not so addressed him when he had come cringing into his presence on the former occasion; he had spoken no words of reproach, but simply left him in the hands of justice. Now he calls him "wicked," because he is unmerciful; he deserves the epithet, because he has been guilty of a crime as heinous as theft or murder. Then the lord places in strong contrast the mercy which he had received and the unmercifulness which he had shown. All that debt. Great as it was. Thou desiredst me ( παρεκάλεσας); besoughtest me; calledst on me for aid. The debtor had not asked or hoped for remission of his debt, and had been largely and most unexpectedly blessed.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek ThenΤότε(Tote)Adverb
Strong's 5119:Then, at that time. From ho and hote; the when, i.e. At the time that.theὁ(ho)Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.masterκύριος(kyrios)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962:Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.summonedπροσκαλεσάμενος(proskalesamenos)Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4341:To call to myself, summon. Middle voice from pros and kaleo; to call toward oneself, i.e. Summon, invite.himαὐτὸν(auton)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.[and] declared,λέγει(legei)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3004:(a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.‘[You] wickedπονηρέ(ponēre)Adjective - Vocative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4190:Evil, bad, wicked, malicious, slothful.servant!Δοῦλε(Doule)Noun - Vocative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1401:(a) (as adj.) enslaved, (b) (as noun) a (male) slave. From deo; a slave.I forgaveἀφῆκά(aphēka)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 863:From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications.allπᾶσαν(pasan)Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3956:All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.[your]ἐκείνην(ekeinēn)Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1565:That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.debtὀφειλὴν(opheilēn)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3782:A debt, a duty, what is due. From opheilo; indebtedness, i.e. a sum owed; figuratively, obligation, i.e. duty.becauseἐπεὶ(epei)Conjunction
Strong's 1893:Of time: when, after; of cause: since, because; otherwise: else. From epi and ei; thereupon, i.e. Since.you beggedπαρεκάλεσάς(parekalesas)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 3870:From para and kaleo; to call near, i.e. Invite, invoke.me.με(me)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.
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NT Gospels: Matthew 18:32 Then his lord called him (Matt. Mat Mt) |
