Bible Studies/Mat. 18:21-22

Advertisement

Expert: - 8/4/2008


Question
Why is Peter asking Jesus if he has to forgive others seven times?  What does Jesus mean by 70 times 7?

Thanks
Lenin

Answer
Peter asks about the "seven times" because Jesus had mentioned this figure before:

Luke 17:3-4

"If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. 4 If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him."
NIV

Now Peter is asking if this is too many time.

So Jesus points out (in the next verses after Matt.18:21-22) that even seventy time seven is as nothing in the realm of forgiveness when you compare it to the immeasurable times(amount) that God has forgiven us so that we can be with Him in eternity.

Bible Studies

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Dean Gade

Expertise

I can answer questions concerning the translating of specific words and translations of the New Testament. I can give the etemology of Greek words, primarily in the Koine Greek, but also in Classical Greek. I can also give explanations of much of the Bible having read it many times and written many Bible studies.

Experience

I studied Greek in earning my BA at a university and my DTh. and MDiv. at an accredited seminary. I was a diviity student at both the university and seminary, spending most of those eight years studying the Bible.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.