But How Often Should We Forgive? (18:21-22).
The idea that disciples should approach those who have sinned against them and seek to be reconciled with them raised in Peter's mind the question of how often this was required. How often should someone who fails be forgiven? And when he suggested that possibly he should forgive ‘seven times' he probably knew that he was outdoing the Scribes with their ‘three times'. Thus he may well have been looking for and expecting Jesus' commendation for his generosity of spirit. He was therefore probably quite taken aback when Jesus replied, ‘not seven times, but seventy time seven times'. Peter then realised that he was not quite as merciful as he had thought.
The idea of forgiveness here connects back once more with the sermon on the Mount. There also Jesus had emphasised the necessity of forgiveness, just as we ourselves have been, and are being, forgiven (Matthew 6:14-15). And in Matthew 12:31-32 He had emphasised the greatness and wideness of God's forgiveness. Now He will stress its unlimited nature. The Gospel is both based on forgiveness, and produces forgiveness.
Analysis.
a Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?” (Matthew 18:21 a).
b “Until seven times?” (Matthew 18:21 b).
b Jesus says to him, “I do not say to you, “Until seven times” (Matthew 18:22 a).
c “But, “Until seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22 b).
Note that in ‘a' the question was how often it was necessary to forgive. The parallel says ‘seventy times seven' times. In ‘b' Peter's suggestion is seven times, and in the parallel the reply is ‘no, not seven times'.