Matthew Chapter 18 verse 21 Holy Bible
Then came Peter and said to him, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? until seven times?
read chapter 18 in ASV
Then Peter came and said to him, Lord, what number of times may my brother do wrong against me, and I give him forgiveness? till seven times?
read chapter 18 in BBE
Then Peter came to him and said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? until seven times?
read chapter 18 in DARBY
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
read chapter 18 in KJV
read chapter 18 in WBT
Then Peter came and said to him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?"
read chapter 18 in WEB
Then Peter having come near to him, said, `Sir, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him -- till seven times?'
read chapter 18 in YLT
Matthew 18 : 21 Bible Verse Songs
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerses 21-35. - The pardon of injuries, and the parable of the unmerciful servant. Verse 21. - Peter was greatly struck with what Christ had just said about reconciliation of enemies; and he wanted to know what limits were to be imposed on his generosity, especially, it might be, if the offender made no reparation for his offence, and acknowledged not his wrong doing. My brother. As ver. 15, fellow disciple, neighbour. Till seven times? Peter doubtless thought that he was unusually liberal and generous in proposing such a measure of forgiveness. Seven is the number of completeness and plurality, and our Lord had used it in giving his sentence about forgiveness: "If he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn to thee again," etc. (Luke 17:4). Some rabbis had fixed this limit from an erroneous interpretation of Amos 1:3; Amos 2:1. "For three transgressions, and for four," etc.; but the usual precept enjoined forgiveness of three offences only, drawing the line here, and having no pity for a fourth offence. Ben-Sira bids a man admonish an offending neighbour twice, but is silent as to any further forgiveness (Ecclus. 19:13-17). The Jews were very fond of defining and limiting moral obligations, as if they could be accurately prescribed by number. Christ demolishes this attempt to define by law the measure of grace.
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(21) How oft shall my brother sin . . .?--The words of Matthew 18:15 had obviously told on the minds of the disciples, and had roused them to question with themselves. But they could not, all at once, take in the truth that the "commandment" was "exceeding broad." Surely, they thought, there must be some limit to this way of dealing with the brother who has sinned against us? And the sacred number suggested itself as the natural limit. Not, it may be conjectured, without a half-conscious reference to the words of the prophet (Amos 1:3), that "for three transgressions and for four" the punishment thereof should not be turned away, the Apostle made answer to his own question, "Until seven times?" as though the line must be drawn there.
