In Matthew 18:21-22, Jesus teaches his disciples about the importance of forgiveness. When Peter asks Jesus how many times he should forgive someone who sins against him, Jesus replies “seventy times seven.” This response emphasizes the boundlessness of forgiveness for the repentant. But what did Jesus really mean by “seventy times seven”? Let’s explore the meaning and significance of this phrase.
The Context of Jesus’ Teaching
Jesus shares the “seventy times seven” statement in response to Peter’s question: “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” (Matthew 18:21). Peter likely thought he was being generous in offering to forgive someone seven times. The rabbis at the time taught that forgiving three times was sufficient. So to forgive seven times seemed radical and gracious.
But Jesus takes forgiveness even further: “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times” (Matthew 18:22). The number seventy-seven would have been shocking to his disciples. By suggesting such a high number, Jesus makes the point that forgiveness should be limitless.
The Significance of the Number Seventy Times Seven
The number seventy-seven, or seventy times seven, was not meant to be taken literally. Jesus uses hyperbole here to emphasize the unlimited extent of forgiveness. In essence, he is saying we should always forgive, no matter how many times we are wronged. Just as God repeatedly forgives us, we too should repeatedly forgive others.
In the Old Testament, Lamech boasts that he will avenge himself “seventy-seven times” (Genesis 4:24). Jesus deliberately contrasts this vengeful attitude with his teaching on unlimited forgiveness. His disciples are called to forgive without keeping score, rather than retaliate.
The number seventy-seven also connects back to prophecies in the book of Daniel regarding the end times (Daniel 9:24-27). Some scholars believe the “seventy weeks” in Daniel represent seventy “sevens” or 490 years. Jesus may be hinting that the disciples will need to keep forgiving others until his second coming ushers in God’s eternal kingdom.
Forgiveness as an Act of Mercy
Jesus was asking his followers to show mercy through radical forgiveness. Extending forgiveness is an act of grace that reflects God’s mercy towards us. When Peter asked about being forgiven “up to seven times,” Jesus responded with “seventy times seven” to stress that there is no limit to forgiveness.
Showing mercy is more important than keeping score. We should not forgive begrudgingly or with an attitude of superiority. Unconditional forgiveness requires humility and love. As Colossians 3:13 says, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Forgiveness Brings Freedom
Forgiving others liberates us from bitterness and resentment. Holding on to anger and desire for revenge imprisons us in ongoing emotional turmoil. When we refuse to forgive someone, we allow the wrongdoing to retain power over the relationship.
But by choosing to forgive, we let go of the offense and the control it had over us. Forgiveness allows both parties to move forward. Though we should prudently protect ourselves from future harm, nursing a grudge only hurts us, not the offender. As Matthew 6:14-15 warns, “If you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Forgiveness Reflects the Character of God
Most importantly, Jesus calls us to forgive others because it reflects the very nature of God. Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly demonstrates his mercy and patience towards sinful humanity. Despite our failures and flaws, He continues to forgive those who humbly repent and call on Him.
Jesus emphasizes unlimited forgiveness because it mirrors the extravagant grace of the Father. Ephesians 4:32 explains how we are to model God’s example: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Forgiving others glorifies God by displaying His loving and merciful character.
Jesus Sets the Example of Forgiveness
Not only did Jesus teach extensively about forgiveness, but He demonstrated what it looks like through His own life. As the Son of God, Jesus had the power to call down judgement on those who rejected, mocked, and crucified Him. Instead, He prayed from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).
Even in immense physical and spiritual anguish, Jesus forgave. He lived out the very truth He instructed His followers to emulate. The one who had never sinned became sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).
As recipients of Christ’s undeserved grace and forgiveness, we in turn can extend that same mercy to others, no matter how many times we are wronged. Forgiveness glorifies Jesus Christ as the perfect embodiment of love, mercy and redemption.
Practical Application: The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
After teaching His disciples to forgive seventy times seven, Jesus shares the parable of the unmerciful servant (Matthew 18:23-35). This story offers a sobering warning about the consequences of refusing to forgive.
In the parable, a servant is forgiven a huge debt by his master, yet refuses to forgive a much smaller debt owed to him by a fellow servant. When the master finds out, he punishes the unforgiving servant harshly. Jesus concludes by stating, “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart” (Matthew 18:35).
Through this parable, Jesus illustrates the hypocrisy of expecting forgiveness yet withholding it from others. If we have received abundant grace from God, how can we refuse to extend grace to our fellow human beings? We should forgive others because we have been forgiven much more.
Benefits of Forgiveness for the Offender and the Offended
Choosing to forgive someone who has wronged us can benefit both parties involved. For the offender, being forgiven can lead to release from guilt, renewed relationship with the person hurt, and opportunity to change hurtful behaviors. It opens the door for reconciliation and restoration.
For the offended person, forgiveness lightens their emotional burden, frees them from bitterness, and allows peaceful closure. Forgiveness is often more about the offended person’s healing than the offender’s actions. It permits us to let go of pain from the past.
While forgiveness may not remove all consequences, it can profoundly change how we respond to injustice. Rather than being controlled by anger, we can move forward in freedom and grace.
Forgiveness Is a Process
Forgiving someone often takes time, and deeper hurts may require continued prayer, counsel, and support from others. We may need to forgive in stages before we feel ready to fully reconcile a relationship damaged by betrayal, violence, or abuse.
But God can provide the strength and wisdom to forgive even in incredibly difficult situations. As we surrender anger and desire for revenge to Him, He infuses us with His supernatural peace and perspective. The more we grow in understanding divine grace, the more empowered we become to extend that grace to others.
We Must Be Willing to Both Forgive and Repent
To walk in forgiveness, we must be willing to both repent and forgive. Jesus admonished hypocrites who wanted their sins forgiven yet refused to show mercy to others (Matthew 18:23-35). We receive God’s forgiveness when we confess our sins and turn from them (1 John 1:9). And we must extend that same grace to those who have wronged us, even if they have not repented.
However, true reconciliation requires repentance on the part of the offender. Forgiveness can be offered regardless of the other person’s response. But relationship cannot be fully restored unless the hurtful behaviors change through repentance. Healthy boundaries are still appropriate until trust is rebuilt over time.
Forgiveness Is an Act of Obedience to God
Jesus made it clear that forgiving others is not optional for believers; it is an act of obedience. We are to forgive in response to God’s lavish forgiveness of our own sins. Colossians 3:13 instructs us to “forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 likewise urges, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Forgiveness also ties directly into the Lord’s Prayer, where Jesus teaches us to pray “forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:9-13). Our asking God for forgiveness is linked to our granting it to others. We are to forgive because He first forgave us.
Righteous Anger Versus Bitterness
Does unlimited forgiveness mean we can never speak out against injustice or hold others accountable for their actions? No, the Bible makes a distinction between righteous anger and bitterness or vengeance.
Anger at sin is appropriate, as evidenced by Jesus openly confronting hypocrisy, greed, and exploitation. However, God calls us to address issues without harboring resentment or desire for revenge. Ephesians 4:26 instructs, “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.
As Christians, we can advocate for justice and godly change without clinging to bitterness. Forgiving others does not mean passive enablement of sin. However, any pushback must flow from love, not personal retaliation. We overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).
Forgiveness Is a Gift We Extend by Faith
Forgiveness is often a process that takes time. Yet we can make the choice to forgive immediately, even if emotions lag behind. This initial decision to forgive positions us to gain freedom from ongoing anger and pain.
Forgiveness is first a conscious, willful act – not just an emotion. We release the person from punishment (either expressed or secretly desired) and surrender our right to hold a grudge. This act of faith allows God to change our hearts and pour His healing into areas of wounding.
Choosing to forgive is not dependent on whether the other person apologizes or changes. We forgive in order to honor Christ and act according to His character. Our security rests in our identity in Him, not in our circumstances changing.
Conclusion
When Jesus answered Peter’s question by saying we should forgive seventy times seven, He called for an attitude of limitless mercy. Just as God repeatedly forgives us, we are to repeatedly forgive others in humility and grace. Forgiveness reflects the very heart and character of God. It also liberates us and allows relationships to be restored.
Forgiveness is not easy or fast. But as we grow in encountering God’s love, we become more able to extend that love to others. By His strength, we can release hurts and grievances to Him. We forgive because we ourselves have been forgiven. May God grow each of us in the grace and courage to keep “forgiving to seventy times seven.” For in doing so, we live out the redemptive mission of Jesus Himself.