Matthew 18:22 (KJV)

What does Matthew 18:22 mean?

Matthew 18:22 presents Jesus’ answer to Peter about forgiving someone who repeatedly does wrong. Rather than setting seven as the limit, Jesus gives a much larger number. His answer points toward forgiveness that is not kept to a small count.

After Peter asks about forgiving “till seven times” in verse 21, Jesus answers with “seventy times seven.” In the KJV, that amounts to 490. The contrast between the two numbers gives Jesus’ answer its force.

The Greek behind Matthew 18:22

• “times” — ἑβδομηκοντάκις (hebdomēkontakis): This word means “seventy times.” Joined with the word for “seven,” the phrase can also be understood as “seventy-seven times,” though the KJV reads “seventy times seven.”

Why Matthew 18:22 matters

• Jesus is answering a question about repeated wrongs between people. Peter asks how often he should forgive his “brother” when that person sins against him (verse 21).
• The number fits the story Jesus tells immediately afterward. In that story, a servant is released from an enormous debt but then demands payment of a much smaller one (verses 23–30). The contrast helps explain why Jesus rejects Peter’s proposed limit.
• Forgiveness is the subject of the exchange, not a calculation of how serious each wrong was. Peter asks “how oft,” or how many times, and Jesus answers by increasing the number.