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

MATTHEW 18:26KJV
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Matthew 18:26 (KJV)

What does Matthew 18:26 mean?

Matthew 18:26 describes a servant who, faced with an impossible debt, falls down before his master and desperately begs for patience, promising to repay everything he owes. The verse shows the servant’s humility and his hope for mercy, even though his promise to repay is unrealistic given the size of his debt.

In this scene, Jesus is telling a parable to His disciples about forgiveness. The servant is speaking to a king who is settling accounts with his servants, and he pleads for more time rather than immediate punishment. The verse highlights the servant’s helpless position and his total dependence on the king’s compassion.

The Greek behind Matthew 18:26

  • προσκυνέω (proskyneō, “worshipped”): This word means to bow down or prostrate oneself in deep respect or submission, not just religious worship. Here, it shows the servant’s utter desperation and humility before the king.
  • μακροθυμέω (makrothymeō, “have patience”): This word means to be long-suffering or slow to anger. The servant is not just asking for a short delay, but for the king to show great restraint and forbearance.
  • κύριος (kyrios, “Lord”): While often translated “Lord,” this word can mean “master” or “sir” in a context like this. The servant addresses the king with deep respect, acknowledging his authority.

Why Matthew 18:26 matters

  • Matthew 18:26 helps clarify that the servant’s plea is not a reasonable business request but a desperate appeal for mercy, given the impossibility of repaying the debt.
  • The verse sets up the king’s later response, making the king’s eventual forgiveness even more striking in the story.
  • This moment highlights the theme of humility and dependence on mercy, which is central to the parable and Jesus’ teaching about forgiveness.

Where else these words appear

“patience” Greek G3114 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 18:29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
  • 1 Corinthians 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
  • James 5:7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

“pay” Greek G591 · used in 46 verses

  • Matthew 5:26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
  • Matthew 27:58 He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.
  • Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

“worshipped” Greek G4352 · used in 54 verses

  • Matthew 2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
  • John 4:20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
  • Revelation 9:20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:

“down” Greek G4098 · used in 85 verses

  • Matthew 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
  • Luke 8:6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.
  • Romans 14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.