Lesson 16:

The Parable of the Unmerciful ServantThe Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

The Parable of the Unmerciful The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant:Servant:The BackgroundThe Background• Jesus had been speaking about a brother Jesus had been speaking about a brother

sinning against another (Matt. 18:15-17).sinning against another (Matt. 18:15-17).• Peter asked the Lord how often Peter asked the Lord how often

forgiveness should be extended to a forgiveness should be extended to a brother—“up to seven times?” (18:21-22).brother—“up to seven times?” (18:21-22).

• The Jewish rabbis taught that one was The Jewish rabbis taught that one was obligated to forgive three times, but that is obligated to forgive three times, but that is the limit. Peter likely felt he was generous the limit. Peter likely felt he was generous to double the three and add one.to double the three and add one.

• The design of this lesson is to show: (1) no The design of this lesson is to show: (1) no saved person has earned his salvation, but saved person has earned his salvation, but has been forgiven graciously; (2) as has been forgiven graciously; (2) as forgiveness is received, so must it be forgiveness is received, so must it be offered.offered.

Matt. 18:21-35Matt. 18:21-35

The Parable of the Unmerciful The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant:Servant:The NarrativeThe Narrative• A king settled accounts with his A king settled accounts with his

servantsservants– The king symbolizes God.The king symbolizes God.– The settling of accounts is God’s call The settling of accounts is God’s call

through the gospel (cf. 2 Thess. 2:14), through the gospel (cf. 2 Thess. 2:14), whereby our consciousness of sin and the whereby our consciousness of sin and the need for forgiveness are awakened.need for forgiveness are awakened.

Matt. 18:21-35Matt. 18:21-35

The Parable of the Unmerciful The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant:Servant:The NarrativeThe Narrative• A servant was found who owed the A servant was found who owed the

enormous debt of 10,000 talents.enormous debt of 10,000 talents.– The servant represents the sinner—each of The servant represents the sinner—each of

us.us.– Put this debt (10,000 talents) in perspective:Put this debt (10,000 talents) in perspective:

• The annual taxation for the whole of Palestine The annual taxation for the whole of Palestine (Judea, Idumea, Samaria, Galilee & Perea) was (Judea, Idumea, Samaria, Galilee & Perea) was less than 1,000 talents.less than 1,000 talents.

• Talent of silver = ~$1,000/ea. == $10,000,000 Talent of silver = ~$1,000/ea. == $10,000,000 debtdebt

• Talent of gold = ~15,000/ea. == $150 mil. DebtTalent of gold = ~15,000/ea. == $150 mil. Debt

Matt. 18:21-35Matt. 18:21-35

The Parable of the Unmerciful The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant:Servant:The NarrativeThe Narrative• A servant was found who owed the enormous A servant was found who owed the enormous

debt of 10,000 talents.debt of 10,000 talents.– The servant represents the sinner—each of us.The servant represents the sinner—each of us.– Put this debt (10,000 talents) in perspective:Put this debt (10,000 talents) in perspective:

• Tabernacle, 29 gold talents to construct (Ex. 38:24)Tabernacle, 29 gold talents to construct (Ex. 38:24)• King David’s crown, 1 gold talent (2 Sam. 12:29-30)King David’s crown, 1 gold talent (2 Sam. 12:29-30)• Lying Gehazi (Elisha’s servant) asked Naaman for 1 Lying Gehazi (Elisha’s servant) asked Naaman for 1

silver talent (2 Kings 5:22)silver talent (2 Kings 5:22)• Solomon made only 666 gold talents in a year’s time (2 Solomon made only 666 gold talents in a year’s time (2

Chron. 9:13).Chron. 9:13).• In parable of talents, most any man had was 5 talentsIn parable of talents, most any man had was 5 talents

Matt. 18:21-35Matt. 18:21-35

The Parable of the Unmerciful The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant:Servant:The NarrativeThe Narrative• A servant was found who owed the A servant was found who owed the

enormous debt of 10,000 talents.enormous debt of 10,000 talents.– The servant represents the sinner—each of us.The servant represents the sinner—each of us.– Put this debt (10,000 talents) in perspective:Put this debt (10,000 talents) in perspective:

• One talent = 3,000 shekelsOne talent = 3,000 shekels• One shekel = 4 days’ wagesOne shekel = 4 days’ wages• One talent = 12,000 days’ wagesOne talent = 12,000 days’ wages• 10,000 talents = 120,000,000 days’ wages10,000 talents = 120,000,000 days’ wages• In our day, one day’s wage for laborer = $100In our day, one day’s wage for laborer = $100• For man today, debt = 12 trillion dollarsFor man today, debt = 12 trillion dollars

– Picture of enormity of our debt & inability to payPicture of enormity of our debt & inability to pay

Matt. 18:21-35Matt. 18:21-35

The Parable of the Unmerciful The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant:Servant:The NarrativeThe Narrative• The servant was not able to pay; the master was The servant was not able to pay; the master was

going to sell him, his family & possessionsgoing to sell him, his family & possessions– While trying to calculate 1While trying to calculate 1stst-century money into today’s -century money into today’s

values is difficult, it has been estimated that the debt values is difficult, it has been estimated that the debt would have taken 200,000-300,000 years to pay off, would have taken 200,000-300,000 years to pay off, which he which he nevernever could have accomplished. could have accomplished.

– This illustrates man’s complete inability to earn his This illustrates man’s complete inability to earn his way out of the sin-debt. Salvation is of divine grace, way out of the sin-debt. Salvation is of divine grace, period!period!

– Selling a man’s family, etc., was Roman law & Selling a man’s family, etc., was Roman law & practiced in those days, which shows the accuracy of practiced in those days, which shows the accuracy of the Bible.the Bible.

– Consider this: A man and all his possessions belong to Consider this: A man and all his possessions belong to God anyway (Psa. 24:1). All men are debtors to God!God anyway (Psa. 24:1). All men are debtors to God!

Matt. 18:21-35Matt. 18:21-35

The Parable of the Unmerciful The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant:Servant:The NarrativeThe Narrative• The servant came worshiping and begged, The servant came worshiping and begged,

“Have patience with me, and I will pay you “Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.”all.”– He realized (1) his master’s supreme authority, He realized (1) his master’s supreme authority,

which compelled him to worship, and (2) his which compelled him to worship, and (2) his hopelessness and unworthiness in response.hopelessness and unworthiness in response.

– His pledge to “pay all” shows his lack of His pledge to “pay all” shows his lack of appreciation regarding the vastness of the debt. appreciation regarding the vastness of the debt. Is it possible that we scarcely comprehend the Is it possible that we scarcely comprehend the nature of sin?nature of sin?

– It’s interesting that he did not ask for forgiveness It’s interesting that he did not ask for forgiveness but pretended that he could pay off an but pretended that he could pay off an insurmountable debt.insurmountable debt.

Matt. 18:21-35Matt. 18:21-35

The Parable of the Unmerciful The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant:Servant:The NarrativeThe Narrative• The master “was moved with compassion, The master “was moved with compassion,

released him, and forgave him the debt.”released him, and forgave him the debt.”– The master was inwardly pained at the suffering of The master was inwardly pained at the suffering of

his servant (“moved with compassion” is strong his servant (“moved with compassion” is strong wording).wording).

– This evinces the love of God and His merciful This evinces the love of God and His merciful disposition (cf. 1 John 4:8; Eph. 2:4). Try to disposition (cf. 1 John 4:8; Eph. 2:4). Try to comprehend the magnitude of what God has comprehend the magnitude of what God has forgiven us—this is God being moved with forgiven us—this is God being moved with compassion.compassion.

– The word “forgive” means to send away (cf. Psa. The word “forgive” means to send away (cf. Psa. 103:12; Micah 7:19). There is no way that we can 103:12; Micah 7:19). There is no way that we can “earn” forgiveness, but God has promised to “earn” forgiveness, but God has promised to forgive (Rom. 6:23).forgive (Rom. 6:23).

Matt. 18:21-35Matt. 18:21-35

The Parable of the Unmerciful The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant:Servant:The NarrativeThe Narrative• ““But that servant found one of his fellow But that servant found one of his fellow

servants who owed him 100 denarii…and servants who owed him 100 denarii…and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’”you owe!’”– The Roman and Greek laws of the day would have The Roman and Greek laws of the day would have

allowed a “citizen’s arrest” and he could literally allowed a “citizen’s arrest” and he could literally have dragged the man into court.have dragged the man into court.

– The fellow-servant represents one who has sinned The fellow-servant represents one who has sinned against his brother.against his brother.

– The 100 denarii amounted to about $17 - $20 – The 100 denarii amounted to about $17 - $20 – quite insignificant when compared to the quite insignificant when compared to the $10,000,000+ debt he had been forgiven. $10,000,000+ debt he had been forgiven.

Matt. 18:21-35Matt. 18:21-35

The Parable of the Unmerciful The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant:Servant:The NarrativeThe Narrative• ““But that servant found one of his fellow servants But that servant found one of his fellow servants

who owed him 100 denarii…and took him by the who owed him 100 denarii…and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’”throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’”– What others have done against us is not nearly as What others have done against us is not nearly as

great as what we have done against God!great as what we have done against God!– The man’s lack of compassion for his fellow servant The man’s lack of compassion for his fellow servant

throws a floodlight on how ungrateful he was for the throws a floodlight on how ungrateful he was for the pardon that had been extended to him. (Short pardon that had been extended to him. (Short memory!)memory!)

– He demanded of his neighbor that which he himself He demanded of his neighbor that which he himself had been unable to accomplish. How often such is had been unable to accomplish. How often such is exhibited in our everyday lives.exhibited in our everyday lives.

– How easy it is to see others’ failures, and to expect How easy it is to see others’ failures, and to expect more of others than we do ourselves (cf. Matt. 7:1-5).more of others than we do ourselves (cf. Matt. 7:1-5).

Matt. 18:21-35Matt. 18:21-35

The Parable of the Unmerciful The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant:Servant:The NarrativeThe Narrative• ““His fellow servant fell down at his feet and His fellow servant fell down at his feet and

begged, ‘Have patience with me, and I will begged, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ And he would not…”pay you all.’ And he would not…”– Christians can sometimes be unforgiving.Christians can sometimes be unforgiving.– Though others may refuse to give forgiveness, Though others may refuse to give forgiveness,

God will not (when he approaches God in His God will not (when he approaches God in His prescribed way).prescribed way).

Matt. 18:21-35Matt. 18:21-35

The Parable of the Unmerciful The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant:Servant:The NarrativeThe Narrative• ““So when his fellow servants saw what had So when his fellow servants saw what had

been done, they were grieved, and came and been done, they were grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done.”told their master all that had been done.”– An unforgiving spirit arouses indignation in others.An unforgiving spirit arouses indignation in others.– Our actions are noticed by others.Our actions are noticed by others.

Matt. 18:21-35Matt. 18:21-35

The Parable of the Unmerciful The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant:Servant:The NarrativeThe Narrative• ““The master called the unmerciful servant to The master called the unmerciful servant to

account. He rebuked him and delivered him account. He rebuked him and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all.”to the torturers until he should pay all.”– The unforgiving disposition makes God “angry” (v. The unforgiving disposition makes God “angry” (v.

34), which should emphasize to us the awfulness 34), which should emphasize to us the awfulness of the unforgiving spirit.of the unforgiving spirit.

– The torturers represent the punishment of hell (cf. The torturers represent the punishment of hell (cf. Rev. 9:5; 11:10), which also implies consciousness.Rev. 9:5; 11:10), which also implies consciousness.

– ““Until he should pay all” means “forever, always” Until he should pay all” means “forever, always” (cf. Matt. 25:46). If he could not pay $10mil as a (cf. Matt. 25:46). If he could not pay $10mil as a free, working man, he could never have paid it as free, working man, he could never have paid it as an inmate in prison. Eternal torment/punishment an inmate in prison. Eternal torment/punishment is real.is real.

Matt. 18:21-35Matt. 18:21-35

The Parable of the Unmerciful The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant:Servant:The NarrativeThe Narrative• Christ’s application: “So My heavenly Father Christ’s application: “So My heavenly Father

also will do to you if each of you, from his also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”trespasses.”– God will punish those who withhold forgiveness God will punish those who withhold forgiveness

(cf. Matt. 5:7; 6:12; 7:2; James 2:13). Our (cf. Matt. 5:7; 6:12; 7:2; James 2:13). Our forgiveness is conditional.forgiveness is conditional.

– Judgment will be to the individual—“each of you.”Judgment will be to the individual—“each of you.”– Forgiveness must come from the heart, not Forgiveness must come from the heart, not

merely from the lips.merely from the lips.– Forgiveness will not be achieved until one repents Forgiveness will not be achieved until one repents

(Luke 17:3), yet we must always keep the door (Luke 17:3), yet we must always keep the door open with a forgiving attitude (Eph. 4:32).open with a forgiving attitude (Eph. 4:32).

Matt. 18:21-35Matt. 18:21-35

The Parable of the Unmerciful The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant:Servant:Lessons/TruthsLessons/Truths• By virtue of the king/servant relationship, God owns By virtue of the king/servant relationship, God owns

us.us.• Because of our sins, we are under an enormous debt Because of our sins, we are under an enormous debt

to God. Sin is so horrible!to God. Sin is so horrible!• We can never earn and thus merit our release from We can never earn and thus merit our release from

this debt.this debt.• God is lovingly compassionate toward the sinner.God is lovingly compassionate toward the sinner.• The Lord must be sought through His appointed way.The Lord must be sought through His appointed way.• If we appreciate our salvation, we will be forgiving If we appreciate our salvation, we will be forgiving

toward others.toward others.• The debts that are committed against us are small in The debts that are committed against us are small in

comparison to the things we have done against our comparison to the things we have done against our King.King.

• God will punish those who are unforgiving.God will punish those who are unforgiving.• The punishment will be conscious and unending.The punishment will be conscious and unending.

Matt. 18:21-35Matt. 18:21-35