How can you forgive seventy times seven? Let’s see what the Bible says in answer to your question.
“Then Peter came to Him (Jesus) and said, “Lord, how often shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” (Matthew 18:21).
What Did Jesus Say About Forgiveness?
Teaching from Heaven
As the disciples walked with Jesus, they learned from Him. They were used to earthly ways, while Jesus, who came from heaven (John 6:38), taught them heavenly ways. A couple of chapters later (in Matthew), He makes that clear:
“Jesus called them (His disciples) to Him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. Whoever would be great among you, let him serve you, and whoever would be first among you, let him be your slave” (Matthew 20:25-27).
How to Forgive Someone
A Prideful Question
Peter thought he was being outrageously benevolent by asking if he should forgive someone up to seven times. None of Peter’s earthly spiritual teachers would dare to teach that someone should forgive someone up to SEVEN times. Seven was an outrageous upper limit!
At this late time in Jesus’ ministry, while He was on the way to His crucifixion, His disciples were asking Jesus prideful questions. Earlier the disciples had asked Him,
“Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (Matthew 18:1).
Pride
Kingdom Greatness
They asked because they wanted the highest positions for themselves (Mark 10:37). But Jesus taught them that humility (serving) is the path to greatness in His Kingdom:
“Whoever among you would be greatest must be servant of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 18:44-45).
Likewise, the author (Matthew) invites us to see Peter’s question as prideful self-promotion. Because we’re of the same nature as Peter, we can imagine his mind working, trying in vain to understand Jesus’ teaching, thinking,
“Up to seven times? Maybe if I suggest that amount it’ll show Jesus I understand His teaching on forgiveness. Aren’t I super-spiritual? That’s way more times than any of the greatest Bible teachers even dare to suggest. Far more!” Assuredly, I’ll impress Him.”
How Can You Forgive Seventy Times Seven?
Not Understanding
But, instead,
“Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22).
We can mentally see Peter’s jaw drop as we read Jesus’ response. Knowing the literalist Peter was, he must have thought, “Seventy times seven? That means I’ve only understood about 1-2% of Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness!”
Forgive Others Without Limit
Without Limit
But Jesus didn’t mean seventy times seven as four hundred ninety times. He meant for us to understand that we must forgive our brothers without limit. He clarified this by telling a parable immediately after answering Peter (Matthew 18:23-35).
God Has Forgiven Us
Jesus’ Example
The parable explains forgiveness in Jesus’ Kingdom, and in it, Jesus expects us, as His children (by faith in Him), to forgive others because God has forgiven us infinitely more:
“Then his master (representing God), after he had summoned him, said to him, ‘O you wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, even as I had pity on you?” (Matthew 18:32-33).
Humility
Summary
Pride puts limits on forgiveness.
Citizens of heaven (believers in Jesus) must forgive others without measure.
Humility is the path to greatness in Jesus’ Kingdom.
Jesus patterned the humility, service, and forgiveness He expects throughout His Kingdom:
“Even as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many (Matthew 18:45).”