Thematic Selections from the Bible

Jesus here uses the analogy of a debt of 10,000 talents (approx 3 billion dollars!) to contrast with the debt of 100 denari (approx 1000 dollars). In doing so, he shows how the servant, despite just being relieved of a huge insurmountable debt, could still nitpick on the small amount that someone else had borrowed from him. It shows his attitude – he wasn’t grateful at all. Rather, he just felt happy that he’d gotten away scot-free, having taken advantage of his master’s graciousness. The parable then goes on to show how the master reacted upon hearing what the servant had done. He was outraged, and rightfully so. After all, if you had just cancelled a debt of $3b, only to hear that the very person you had cancelled the debt of had thrown another person into jail for a miserly $1000, you’d be upset too!

The parable of the unmerciful servant was used to depict our own ungrateful nature. We were forgiven from a debt that we could never have paid – a debt paid through the blood of Christ. Yet so many times, we forget about the grace that we had received, and refuse to forgive others for their wrongdoings against us. We hold grudges, no matter how small, and let them build up. But have we ever stopped to think – what are these grudges, when compared to the culmination of sins that we have committed in our lifetime?

Mt 18:23-34

23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, who would make a reckoning with his servants.

24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, that owed him ten thousand talents.

25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

26 The servant therefore fell down and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

27 And the lord of that servant, being moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.

28 But that servant went out, and found one of his fellow-servants, who owed him a hundred shillings: and he laid hold on him, and took by the throat, saying, Pay what thou owest.

29 So his fellow-servant fell down and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee.

30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay that which was due.

31 So when his fellow-servants saw what was done, they were exceeding sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

32 Then his lord called him unto him, and saith to him, Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou besoughtest me:

33 shouldest not thou also have had mercy on thy fellow-servant, even as I had mercy on thee?

34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due.