Matthew 18:29

What this episode covers

Sunday, 12 April 2026   So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ Matthew 18:29   “Having fallen, therefore, his co-servant, unto his feet, he implored him, saying, ‘You long-wrath upon me, and I will pay you.’” (CG)   In the previous verse, the servant forgiven of his immense debts found another co-servant who owed him a small amount, one that, in comparison to what he had been forgiven, was minuscule.   Having found him, the servant laid hands on him, grabbing him by the throat, demanding that he be paid back what he was owed. Jesus continues the parable, saying, “Having fallen, therefore, his co-servant, unto his feet.”   Though differently worded, it is similar to what happened to the servant –   26 - Having fallen, therefore, the servant, he prostrated. 29 - Having fallen, therefore, his co-servant, unto his feet.   With the event so recently occurring in his own life, one would think his brain cells would begin to fire, remembering him and his own fear before his master. The only difference is that the co-servant, being a co-servant, didn’t prostrate in honor or worship, something that would have been inappropriate to any normal thinking person. And more, Jesus continues with the words, “he implored him, saying, ‘You long-wrath upon me.’”   It is the same word that the servant himself used in verse 26. In fact, the word was introduced into the New Testament at that time, making this only the second use. The use, therefore, is purposeful to highlight the situation –   26 - Lord, you long-wrath upon me. 29 - You long-wrath upon me.   The parallels by Jesus highlight what lies ahead. The only difference in this clause is that the co-servant, being a co-servant, didn’t call him “lord,” something that would have been inappropriate to any normal-brained person. With that, the co-servant has one more thought to convey, saying, “and I will pay you.”   It is almost the same statement that the servant made just a short time earlier –   26 - and all, I will pay you. 29 - and I will pay you.   The only difference is that the servant promised to pay “all” to his master. Being such an immense amount, it was a note of confidence that the sum could be paid. For the co-servant, it was not necessary. Though it would have been difficult to earn such money, it would be within the realm of possibility.   And more, he could also petition friends or family to help. A little time would see the matter through. His words would have been satisfactory to anyone with a moderately functioning amount of gray matter and who had only recently been in the same situation.   Life application: As so often is seen throughout Scripture, Jesus’ wording is precise and carefully chosen to highlight the situation. Only someone with a god complex would determine to have a co-servant prostrate before him, call him Lord, and promise to pay “all” when the amount was so insignificant compared to his own previous debt.   And yet, this wicked servant is being presented this way by Jesus, setting up the narrative even before its completion, that there is something amiss about this fellow. Pay attention to such things as you read the Bible. Parallelism is a strong tool to help understand the intent of what is being expressed.   But such things will not normally pop out to a person on a first or second read through. It takes time, effort, and familiarity with the text to grasp these nuances. In other words, read your Bible. Read it again and again. As you do, it will become more familiar to you, and you will start to see things you never saw before. So, get at it!   Lord God, help us to be wise with the time You have given us. May we enter into fellowship with You daily through prayer, through Your word, and through rejoicing in You as we contemplate the goodness around us that You have created. Yes, may we do these things! Amen.

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