Matthew 18:21
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
American King James Version (AKJV)
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
American Standard Version (ASV)
Then came Peter and said to him, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? until seven times?
Basic English Translation (BBE)
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?
Webster's Revision
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
World English Bible
Then Peter came and said to him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?"
English Revised Version (ERV)
Then came Peter, and said to him, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? until seven times?
Definitions for Matthew 18:21
Clarke's Matthew 18:21 Bible Commentary
Till seven times? - Though seven was a number of perfection among the Hebrews, and often meant much more than the units in it imply, yet it is evident that Peter uses it here in its plain literal sense, as our Lord's words sufficiently testify. It was a maxim among the Jews never to forgive more than thrice: Peter enlarges this charity more than one half; and our Lord makes even his enlargement septuple, see Matthew 18:22. Revenge is natural to man, i.e. man is naturally a vindictive being, and, in consequence, nothing is more difficult to him than forgiveness of injuries.
Barnes's Matthew 18:21 Bible Commentary
Then came Peter ... - The mention of the duty Matthew 18:15 of seeing a brother when he had offended us, implying that it was a duty to forgive him, led Peter to ask how often this was to be done.
Forgive him - To forgive is to treat as though the offence was not committed - to declare that we will not harbor malice or treat unkindly, but that the matter shall be buried and forgotten.