King James Version

What Does Matthew 18:28 Mean?

Matthew 18:28 in the King James Version says “But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands o...” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. pence: the Roman penny is the eighth part of an ounce, which after five shillings the ounce is seven pence halfpenny; about fourteen cents”

Matthew 18:28 · KJV

Context

26

The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. worshipped him: or, besought him

27

Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

28

But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. pence: the Roman penny is the eighth part of an ounce, which after five shillings the ounce is seven pence halfpenny; about fourteen cents

29

And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

30

And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

Read Matthew 18 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence (ἑκατὸν δηνάρια, hekaton dēnaria)—approximately 100 days' wages, roughly $15,000 today. Significant but manageable: the ratio is 600,000:1 (10,000 talents vs. 100 denarii). This staggering disproportion illustrates how any sin against us is infinitesimally small compared to our offenses against God's infinite majesty.

He laid hands on him, and took him by the throat (ἔπνιγεν αὐτόν, epnigen auton)—the Greek indicates violent choking, attempting to throttle payment from him. The same man who moments ago prostrated himself pleading for mercy now physically assaults his debtor. This shocking juxtaposition reveals hypocrisy: receiving grace without extending it, experiencing forgiveness without forgiving. The violence exposes an unchanged heart.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Roman law permitted creditors to seize debtors physically and confine them. Grabbing by the throat was aggressive but legal enforcement. However, the cultural shock lies in the timing—immediately after receiving massive debt cancellation, showing no transformation of character despite experiencing extraordinary mercy.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you minimize sins against you while magnifying your own righteousness, reversing the proper perspective?
  2. What does the servant's violence despite receiving mercy reveal about hearts that experience forgiveness intellectually but not transformationally?
  3. How does comparing others' debts to you (100 denarii) versus your debt to God (10,000 talents) affect your willingness to forgive?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 25 words
ἐξελθὼν1 of 25

“went out”

G1831

to issue (literally or figuratively)

δὲ2 of 25

“But”

G1161

but, and, etc

ὁ3 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δοῦλος4 of 25

“servant”

G1401

a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)

ἐκεῖνος5 of 25

“the same”

G1565

that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed

εὗρεν6 of 25

“and found”

G2147

to find (literally or figuratively)

ἕνα7 of 25

“one”

G1520

one

τῶν8 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

συνδούλων9 of 25

“fellowservants”

G4889

a co-slave, i.e., servitor or ministrant of the same master (human or divine)

αὐτὸν10 of 25

“and took”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ὁ11 of 25

“which”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ὀφείλεις12 of 25

“owed”

G3784

to owe (pecuniarily); figuratively, to be under obligation (ought, must, should); morally, to fail in duty

αὐτὸν13 of 25

“and took”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἑκατὸν14 of 25

“an hundred”

G1540

a hundred

δηνάρια15 of 25

“pence”

G1220

a denarius (or ten asses)

καὶ16 of 25

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

κρατήσας17 of 25

“he laid hands”

G2902

to use strength, i.e., seize or retain (literally or figuratively)

αὐτὸν18 of 25

“and took”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἔπνιγεν19 of 25

“him by the throat”

G4155

to wheeze, i.e., (causative, by implication) to throttle or strangle (drown)

λέγων,20 of 25

“saying”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

Ἀπόδος21 of 25

“Pay”

G591

to give away, i.e., up, over, back, etc. (in various applications)

μοι22 of 25

“me”

G3427

to me

ὁ23 of 25

“which”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

τι24 of 25
G5100

some or any person or object

ὀφείλεις25 of 25

“owed”

G3784

to owe (pecuniarily); figuratively, to be under obligation (ought, must, should); morally, to fail in duty

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 18:28 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Matthew 18:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 20:2Ezekiel 45:9Deuteronomy 15:2Nehemiah 5:7Isaiah 58:3Nehemiah 10:31

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