How to forgive like Jesus?
BREAKDOWN
To forgive like Jesus involves a profound spiritual transformation and a radical commitment to love, mercy, and reconciliation, extending even to those who inflict deep pain. Unlike a secular view of forgiveness that might emphasize letting go of personal hurt for one's own peace, the Biblical understanding, especially as exemplified by Christ, grounds forgiveness in the character of God and makes it a divine command and an act of will, not merely an emotion. Jesus taught his disciples to pray for forgiveness as they forgive others, as seen in Matthew 6:14-15: "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." This establishes a direct link between our willingness to forgive and our reception of God's forgiveness. Furthermore, when Peter asked about the frequency of forgiveness, Jesus famously responded, "I don’t tell you until seven times, but, until seventy times seven" (Matthew 18:22), indicating an unlimited, uncalculating willingness to release others from their offenses.
KEY TERMS
unconditional love
Love given without conditions or expectations of return, reflecting God's ultimate love for humanity.
reconciliation
The restoration of friendly relations, especially between estranged parties; a key goal of Christian forgiveness when possible.
Matthew 6:14-15
Scripture where Jesus teaches that God's forgiveness for us is linked to our willingness to forgive others.
seventy times seven
Jesus' metaphorical answer to Peter, signifying unlimited and continuous forgiveness, not a literal count.
ἀφίημι
A Greek word for forgiveness meaning to send away, let go, or release from a debt or offense.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
Matthew 6:14-15
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 18:22
Jesus said to him, “I don’t tell you until seven times, but, until seventy times seven.”
Matthew 18:23-35
Therefore the Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. When he had begun to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But because he couldn’t pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, with his wife, children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, have patience with me, and I will repay you all!’ The lord of that servant, being moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. “But that servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, who owed him one hundred denarii, and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will repay you all!’ He would not, but went and cast him into prison, until he should pay that which was due. So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were exceedingly sorry, and came and told their lord all that was done. Then his lord called him in, and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt, because you begged me. Shouldn’t you also have had mercy on your fellow servant, even as I had mercy on you?’ His lord was angry, and delivered him to the tormentors, until he should pay all that was due to him. So my heavenly Father will also do to you, if you don’t each forgive your brother from your hearts for his trespasses.”
Luke 23:34
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Dividing his garments among them, they cast lots.
Ephesians 4:32
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.
Colossians 3:13
bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.
INTERLINEAR ANALYSIS
Interlinear Greek
Matthew 18:22ORIGINAL LANGUAGE ANALYSIS
ἀφίημι
forgive
DefinitionTo send away, let go, release, permit, forgive, pardon.
χαρίζομαι
forgiving
DefinitionTo show favor, to grant graciously, to forgive out of grace.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
In the first-century Jewish context, forgiveness was intricately linked to repentance (*teshuvah*) and the sacrificial system for atonement, particularly on Yom Kippur. While the Law called for mercy and restitution, forgiveness often required the offender to acknowledge wrongdoing and make amends. Jesus' teachings, however, radicalized this concept. He extended forgiveness beyond the boundaries of immediate repentance and even to one's enemies, as demonstrated by his prayer on the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34). This was revolutionary, moving beyond ritual and transactional forgiveness to a disposition of the heart, deeply challenging the prevailing cultural norms that often sought retribution or strict justice, especially under Roman rule which emphasized legal retribution.
THEOLOGICAL INSIGHT
Forgiveness, as taught and demonstrated by Jesus Christ, is a central theological pillar that reflects the very nature of God: merciful, just, and loving. It is not merely a human transaction but a divine command, empowering believers to break cycles of bitterness and vengeance by releasing others from the debt of their offenses. This act of forgiveness, whether towards a repentant or unrepentant offender, is essential for spiritual freedom, reconciliation where possible, and aligning oneself with the Kingdom of God.
COMMENTARY SYNTHESIS
Rashi (Jewish)
While Rashi did not comment on the New Testament, the foundational concept of *mechila* (forgiveness) in Jewish tradition, often associated with *teshuvah* (repentance), emphasizes that divine forgiveness is conditional upon human repentance and sincere turning from sin. Human forgiveness, too, is often sought after a wrongdoer has made amends, highlighting a covenantal reciprocal relationship. Jesus' teachings both affirm the need for repentance (e.g., 'Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand' Matthew 4:17) and radically extend forgiveness beyond immediate conditions, as exemplified on the cross.
Matthew Henry (Christian)
Matthew Henry emphasizes that our capacity to forgive others is both a sign and a condition of our own forgiveness by God. He notes that Christ's teaching about forgiving 'seventy times seven' underscores that true forgiveness is not to be measured by limits but is to be a continuous disposition of grace, mirroring the boundless mercy of God himself. He connects it directly to the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant in Matthew 18, demonstrating the severe consequences of withholding mercy from others when we ourselves have received such great mercy.
John Calvin (Christian)
Calvin highlights that Jesus' command to forgive is an imitation of God's own character and a fruit of the Holy Spirit in believers. He argues that our forgiveness of others is not a meritorious work that earns God's forgiveness, but rather an evidence that we have truly received divine grace. He emphasizes that this forgiveness should be sincere and from the heart, not merely a superficial act, freeing us from bitterness and allowing for genuine Christian charity.
Augustine of Hippo (Christian)
Augustine teaches that true forgiveness involves a change of heart, not merely forgetting the injury, but actively wishing well to the one who has wronged us. He sees forgiveness as a powerful weapon against evil, breaking the cycle of vengeance and allowing love to triumph. He connects it to Christ's prayer on the cross, urging believers to follow this supreme example of charity even towards enemies.