Matthew 18:21
Saturday, 4 April 2026
Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Matthew 18:21
“Then Peter, having approached Him, he said, ‘Lord, how often, he will sin unto me, my brother, and I will forgive him? Until sevenfold?’” (CG)
In the previous verse, Jesus noted to the disciples that where two or three are gathered together in His name, He is there in their midst. Matthew next records, “Then Peter, having approached Him, he said, ‘Lord, how often, he will sin unto me, my brother?’”
A new word is used here, posakis. It is a multiplicative from posos, how much, how great, etc. Thus, the meaning here is “how many times.” In this chapter, Peter has heard about who the greatest in the kingdom of heaven is. Jesus also explained about causing one of the little ones (meaning those of simple faith) to sin, and what to do about it.
Jesus then spoke about the shepherd leaving the ninety-nine sheep to seek the one, and the reconciliation that is hoped for from that. If it is found, He spoke of the joy of it. After that, Jesus referred to the matter of a brother who sins against another and the efforts that should be taken to bring about restoration.
As a result of that, He spoke of the matter of binding and loosening, a topic that was developed based on the lack of reconciliation of the wayward brother. These things have led Peter to want to know the extent of forgiveness that should be extended to another. He has asked how often the brother would sin against him, and as he continues, “and I will forgive him?”
Peter’s question must be taken in connection with other thoughts that have been presented, that will be presented in Matthew, and that are presented in the other gospels. So far, Peter has only asked about forgiving for an offense against him. The question is actually incomplete. Because of this, and by taking it as a complete thought, too many err in their evaluation of the subject of forgiveness. For now, he answers his own question with another question, saying, “Until sevenfold?”
A new word is seen, heptakis, sevenfold. It means repeating something seven times. Peter’s suggestion is one that seems appropriate. We only have so much time in a day, so much patience with nonsense, and an inability to read the hearts and intents of others.
Seven is a number well known in Scripture and one already seen in Jesus’ ministry several times. It is the number of spiritual perfection. As such, it is a logical number for Peter to put forth. Some people argue that the rabbinic interpretation of forgiveness was up to three or four times based on Amos 1:3 and other Amos references.
This is not an acceptable place to go for understanding such a matter, but it is common for the rabbinic society to try to define every moral thing in a set manner. The attitude, however, is one that has only caused them eons of grief for misapplying God’s intent in this fashion.
As for Peter’s question, it will be answered by Jesus with a direct answer, but then He will provide a couple of paragraphs of explanation to fill in the details of Peter’s incomplete question. He will then sum up the matter in verse 35. Unfortunately, when Jesus’ response is evaluated by people, they read the beginning of His answer, skip to the last part, and fail to consider the middle content.
They also fail to consider all other examples of the matter of forgiveness. Thus, they conclude that forgiveness is mandatory in all circumstances. This is not only inappropriate, but it has also caused great damage to people throughout the ages.
Life application: Without even getting into Jesus’ answer, the matter of Peter’s question being incomplete should be addressed. What is it that prompts forgiveness? The answer is that there is an understanding that a wrong has been committed.
In the previous example, a brother was offended. He went to the offender and addressed the matter. The offender refused to listen. The matter was elevated to two or three witnesses. The offender still refused to acknowledge his wrongdoing. Therefore, the matter was brought to the out-calling. The offender still refused to yield.
So what was the result after that? He was to be like the ethnicity and the taxman to them. What was lacking in the man’s demeanor that caused his expulsion? The answer is that he did not acknowledge his offense, and he did not ask for forgiveness for it. And that leads to the next obvious question: Was he forgiven? The answer is a giant, NO.
Peter’s question is incomplete because it only addresses the matter of forgiveness without the matter of his brother coming to him and asking for forgiveness, or at a minimum, Peter going to him and addressing the matter as in the example cited by Jesus.
The thought may have been implied in Peter’s mind, but it is not clearly stated. Jesus’ example, however, will bring up the matter of repentance, demonstrating the incomplete nature of Peter’s question for us to understand more fully what is expected in the process of offense and forgiveness.
Pay attention as the verses continue to unfold, and this will be seen. Jesus has already given an example of when not to forgive others. Peter’s question is based on that, not separate from it.
Lord God, help us to consider the context of what we read. It is very easy to be duped into bad doctrine taught by others who sound convincing, but who really have no idea what they are talking about. Give us the desire to both read and contemplate Your word so that we are not led astray by false ideas about important doctrinal issues. Amen.
