Matthew 18:22
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
Jesus said to him, I say not to you, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
American King James Version (AKJV)
Jesus said to him, I say not to you, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
American Standard Version (ASV)
Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times; but, Until seventy times seven.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
Jesus says to him, I say not to you, Till seven times; but, Till seventy times seven.
Webster's Revision
Jesus saith to him, I say not to thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
World English Bible
Jesus said to him, "I don't tell you until seven times, but, until seventy times seven.
English Revised Version (ERV)
Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times; but, Until seventy times seven.
Clarke's Matthew 18:22 Bible Commentary
Seventy times seven - There is something very remarkable in these words, especially if collated with Genesis 4:24, where the very same words are used - "If any man kill Lamech, he shall be avenged seventy times seven." The just God punishes sin in an exemplary manner. Sinful man, who is exposed to the stroke of Divine justice, should be abundant in forgiveness, especially as the merciful only shall find mercy. See the note on Matthew 5:7, and on Matthew 6:14, Matthew 6:15 (note). The sum seventy times seven makes four hundred and ninety. Now an offense, properly such, is that which is given wantonly, maliciously, and without Any Provocation. It is my opinion, that, let a man search ever so accurately, he will not find that he has received, during the whole course of his life, four hundred and ninety such offenses. If the man who receives the offense has given any cause for it, in that case, the half of the offense, at least, towards his brother, ceases.
Barnes's Matthew 18:22 Bible Commentary
Till seven times? - The Jews caught that a man was to forgive another three times, but not the fourth. Peter more than doubled this, and asked whether forgiveness was to be exercised to so great an extent.
I say not unto thee, Until seven times, but, Until seventy times seven - The meaning is, that we are not to limit our forgiveness to any fixed number of times. See Genesis 4:24. As often as a brother injures us and asks forgiveness, we are to forgive him. It is, indeed, his duty to ask forgiveness, Luke 17:4. If he does this, it is our duty to declare that we forgive him, and to treat him accordingly. If he does not ask us to forgive him, yet we are not at liberty to follow him with revenge and malice, but are still to treat him kindly and to do him good, Luke 10:30-37.
Wesley's Matthew 18:22 Bible Commentary
18:22 Till seventy times seven - That is, as often as there is occasion. A certain number is put for an uncertain.