Matthew 18:33

Thursday, 16 April 2026

Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ Matthew 18:33

“And not it necessitates you to compassionate your co-servant as also I, I compassionated you?” (CG)

In the previous verse, the master of the unforgiving servant reminded him that he had forgiven all that he owed simply because the servant implored him. Now, he says what should have been obvious to any person with a minimally functioning conscience, “And not it necessitates you to compassionate your co-servant.”

The answer is obvious. Looking at the two verses side by side, it is wholly evident –

*All the indebtedness that I forgave you thereupon you implored me.

*And not it necessitates you to compassionate your co-servant.

There was an immense amount owed by this evil servant. But through an act of grace, the debt was forgiven. Wouldn’t that lead this servant to go out and do likewise? And yet, here he is, standing before his master, being called to account for having not done exactly this. To reinforce the magnitude of the matter in the servant’s eyes, the master next emphatically states, “as also I, I compassionated you?”

He repeats the same word, eleeó, to compassionate, to elevate the scope of the offense. “I acted this way toward you concerning a debt of immense proportions. And yet, you failed to act in the same manner as I, even I, did! And it was a pittance in comparison to what I forgave you.”

One can see why the master would be so upset about the matter.

Life application: Jesus is using a simple example to make a point about God’s workings in the world of redemption. A part of those plans includes the granting of compassion on others according to His own goodness.

To understand how we, as people created in His image, should act, we should consider Jesus’ words and think about what God is telling us. And more, the entire Bible serves this purpose.

When we read it, we should consider what is being conveyed. Though there is a wide variety of types of literature. They all present a unified message concerning what is on God’s mind. What is it that causes a rift between God and us? What is it that God does or has done to mend this rift?

There certainly is a problem. The Bible clearly presents it as such. And the fact that God didn’t just destroy the entire world tells us that He is interested in restoration. This is more evident when we consider that He is recording what He is doing to bring about that restoration. We are not left with guesswork about God and what He expects because of this witness.

The aim of what He is doing is “the kingdom of the heavens.” Therefore, these parables are more than just interesting examples of interaction between people, but between Himself and those He intends to fellowship with. Pay heed to the clues as you read the Bible. Why was a prostitute, along with her family, spared when Israel destroyed Jericho? Such interesting, but otherwise seemingly unimportant things are there for a reason.

Be sure to read and reread the Bible, asking God to illuminate His word to you when you do.

Lord God, how good You are to us to lead us through the ages of time, working slowly and methodically to return us to Yourself. And through this process, details are carefully recorded to especially highlight what You are doing and why. What a gift! What a treasure! Thank You for Your sacred and precious word, O God. Amen.