Lesson 16: The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant: The Background Jesus had been speaking about a brother sinning against another (Matt. 18:15-17).Jesus had been speaking about a brother sinning against another (Matt. 18:15-17). Peter asked the Lord how often forgiveness should be extended to a brother—“up to seven times?” (18:21-22).Peter asked the Lord how often forgiveness should be extended to a brother—“up to seven times?” (18:21-22). The Jewish rabbis taught that one was obligated to forgive three times, but that is the limit. Peter likely felt he was generous to double the three and add one.The Jewish rabbis taught that one was obligated to forgive three times, but that is the limit. Peter likely felt he was generous to double the three and add one. The design of this lesson is to show: (1) no saved person has earned his salvation, but has been forgiven graciously; (2) as forgiveness is received, so must it be offered.The design of this lesson is to show: (1) no saved person has earned his salvation, but has been forgiven graciously; (2) as forgiveness is received, so must it be offered. Matt. 18:21-35

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant: The Narrative A king settled accounts with his servantsA king settled accounts with his servants –The king symbolizes God. –The settling of accounts is God’s call through the gospel (cf. 2 Thess. 2:14), whereby our consciousness of sin and the need for forgiveness are awakened. Matt. 18:21-35

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant: The Narrative A servant was found who owed the enormous debt of 10,000 talents.A servant was found who owed the enormous debt of 10,000 talents. –The servant represents the sinner—each of us. –Put this debt (10,000 talents) in perspective: The annual taxation for the whole of Palestine (Judea, Idumea, Samaria, Galilee & Perea) was less than 1,000 talents.The annual taxation for the whole of Palestine (Judea, Idumea, Samaria, Galilee & Perea) was less than 1,000 talents. Talent of silver = ~$1,000/ea. == $10,000,000 debtTalent of silver = ~$1,000/ea. == $10,000,000 debt Talent of gold = ~15,000/ea. == $150 mil. DebtTalent of gold = ~15,000/ea. == $150 mil. Debt Matt. 18:21-35

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant: The Narrative A servant was found who owed the enormous debt of 10,000 talents.A servant was found who owed the enormous debt of 10,000 talents. –The servant represents the sinner—each of us. –Put this debt (10,000 talents) in perspective: Tabernacle, 29 gold talents to construct (Ex. 38:24)Tabernacle, 29 gold talents to construct (Ex. 38:24) King David’s crown, 1 gold talent (2 Sam. 12:29-30)King David’s crown, 1 gold talent (2 Sam. 12:29-30) Lying Gehazi (Elisha’s servant) asked Naaman for 1 silver talent (2 Kings 5:22)Lying Gehazi (Elisha’s servant) asked Naaman for 1 silver talent (2 Kings 5:22) Solomon made only 666 gold talents in a year’s time (2 Chron. 9:13).Solomon made only 666 gold talents in a year’s time (2 Chron. 9:13). In parable of talents, most any man had was 5 talentsIn parable of talents, most any man had was 5 talents Matt. 18:21-35

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant: The Narrative A servant was found who owed the enormous debt of 10,000 talents.A servant was found who owed the enormous debt of 10,000 talents. –The servant represents the sinner—each of us. –Put this debt (10,000 talents) in perspective: One talent = 3,000 shekelsOne talent = 3,000 shekels One shekel = 4 days’ wagesOne shekel = 4 days’ wages One talent = 12,000 days’ wagesOne talent = 12,000 days’ wages 10,000 talents = 120,000,000 days’ wages10,000 talents = 120,000,000 days’ wages In our day, one day’s wage for laborer = $100In our day, one day’s wage for laborer = $100 For man today, debt = 12 trillion dollarsFor man today, debt = 12 trillion dollars –Picture of enormity of our debt & inability to pay Matt. 18:21-35

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant: The Narrative The servant was not able to pay; the master was going to sell him, his family & possessionsThe servant was not able to pay; the master was going to sell him, his family & possessions –While trying to calculate 1 st -century money into today’s values is difficult, it has been estimated that the debt would have taken 200, ,000 years to pay off, which he never could have accomplished. –This illustrates man’s complete inability to earn his way out of the sin-debt. Salvation is of divine grace, period! –Selling a man’s family, etc., was Roman law & practiced in those days, which shows the accuracy of the Bible. –Consider this: A man and all his possessions belong to God anyway (Psa. 24:1). All men are debtors to God! Matt. 18:21-35

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant: The Narrative The servant came worshiping and begged, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.”The servant came worshiping and begged, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.” –He realized (1) his master’s supreme authority, which compelled him to worship, and (2) his hopelessness and unworthiness in response. –His pledge to “pay all” shows his lack of appreciation regarding the vastness of the debt. Is it possible that we scarcely comprehend the nature of sin? –It’s interesting that he did not ask for forgiveness but pretended that he could pay off an insurmountable debt. Matt. 18:21-35

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant: The Narrative The master “was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.”The master “was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.” –The master was inwardly pained at the suffering of his servant (“moved with compassion” is strong wording). –This evinces the love of God and His merciful disposition (cf. 1 John 4:8; Eph. 2:4). Try to comprehend the magnitude of what God has forgiven us—this is God being moved with compassion. –The word “forgive” means to send away (cf. Psa. 103:12; Micah 7:19). There is no way that we can “earn” forgiveness, but God has promised to forgive (Rom. 6:23). Matt. 18:21-35

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant: The Narrative “But that servant found one of his fellow servants who owed him 100 denarii…and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’”“But that servant found one of his fellow servants who owed him 100 denarii…and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’” –The Roman and Greek laws of the day would have allowed a “citizen’s arrest” and he could literally have dragged the man into court. –The fellow-servant represents one who has sinned against his brother. –The 100 denarii amounted to about $17 - $20 – quite insignificant when compared to the $10,000,000+ debt he had been forgiven. Matt. 18:21-35

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant: The Narrative “But that servant found one of his fellow servants who owed him 100 denarii…and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’”“But that servant found one of his fellow servants who owed him 100 denarii…and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’” –What others have done against us is not nearly as great as what we have done against God! –The man’s lack of compassion for his fellow servant throws a floodlight on how ungrateful he was for the pardon that had been extended to him. (Short memory!) –He demanded of his neighbor that which he himself had been unable to accomplish. How often such is exhibited in our everyday lives. –How easy it is to see others’ failures, and to expect more of others than we do ourselves (cf. Matt. 7:1-5). Matt. 18:21-35

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant: The Narrative “His fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ And he would not…”“His fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ And he would not…” –Christians can sometimes be unforgiving. –Though others may refuse to give forgiveness, God will not (when he approaches God in His prescribed way). Matt. 18:21-35

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant: The Narrative “So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done.”“So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done.” –An unforgiving spirit arouses indignation in others. –Our actions are noticed by others. Matt. 18:21-35

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant: The Narrative “The master called the unmerciful servant to account. He rebuked him and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all.”“The master called the unmerciful servant to account. He rebuked him and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all.” –The unforgiving disposition makes God “angry” (v. 34), which should emphasize to us the awfulness of the unforgiving spirit. –The torturers represent the punishment of hell (cf. Rev. 9:5; 11:10), which also implies consciousness. –“Until he should pay all” means “forever, always” (cf. Matt. 25:46). If he could not pay $10mil as a free, working man, he could never have paid it as an inmate in prison. Eternal torment/punishment is real. Matt. 18:21-35

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant: The Narrative Christ’s application: “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”Christ’s application: “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.” –God will punish those who withhold forgiveness (cf. Matt. 5:7; 6:12; 7:2; James 2:13). Our forgiveness is conditional. –Judgment will be to the individual—“each of you.” –Forgiveness must come from the heart, not merely from the lips. –Forgiveness will not be achieved until one repents (Luke 17:3), yet we must always keep the door open with a forgiving attitude (Eph. 4:32). Matt. 18:21-35

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant: Lessons/Truths By virtue of the king/servant relationship, God owns us.By virtue of the king/servant relationship, God owns us. Because of our sins, we are under an enormous debt to God. Sin is so horrible!Because of our sins, we are under an enormous debt to God. Sin is so horrible! We can never earn and thus merit our release from this debt.We can never earn and thus merit our release from this debt. God is lovingly compassionate toward the sinner.God is lovingly compassionate toward the sinner. The Lord must be sought through His appointed way.The Lord must be sought through His appointed way. If we appreciate our salvation, we will be forgiving toward others.If we appreciate our salvation, we will be forgiving toward others. The debts that are committed against us are small in comparison to the things we have done against our King.The debts that are committed against us are small in comparison to the things we have done against our King. God will punish those who are unforgiving.God will punish those who are unforgiving. The punishment will be conscious and unending.The punishment will be conscious and unending. Matt. 18:21-35