But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

MATTHEW 6:15KJV
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Matthew 6:15 (KJV)

What does Matthew 6:15 mean?

Matthew 6:15 presents forgiveness as a serious matter in a person’s relationship with God. Jesus says that when people withhold forgiveness from others, they cannot expect their Father to forgive their own wrongs.

Jesus is speaking to his disciples while teaching them how to pray. After the positive statement in verse 14, verse 15 gives the opposite condition: “if ye forgive not.” The words “your Father” connect this warning to the prayer Jesus has just taught them.

The Greek behind Matthew 6:15

  • “forgive” — ἀφίημι (aphiēmi): The word can carry the sense of letting go or releasing. Here it describes letting go of a wrong someone has committed, rather than holding it against that person.
  • “trespasses” — παράπτωμα (paraptōma): The word refers to a wrongdoing or offense. Its use for both other people’s wrongs and the hearers’ own wrongs links the two parts of Jesus’ statement.

Why Matthew 6:15 matters

  • The warning concerns ordinary human relationships, not just prayer. Jesus speaks of forgiving “men their trespasses,” meaning the wrongs other people have committed.
  • The prayer Jesus has just taught already joins these two kinds of forgiveness. In Matthew 6:12, the request for forgiveness comes alongside a statement about forgiving others.
  • Jesus uses the same address, “your Father,” for the one who hears the prayer and the one named in the warning. The verse keeps the relationship with God in view even while speaking about offenses between people.

Where else these words appear

“trespasses” Greek G3900 · used in 20 verses

  • Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
  • Romans 5:16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
  • 2 Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

“if” Greek G3362 · used in 59 verses

  • Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
  • John 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
  • Acts 15:1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

“neither” Greek G3761 · used in 125 verses

  • Matthew 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
  • Luke 12:24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
  • Romans 11:21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

“forgive” Greek G863 · used in 133 verses

  • Matthew 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
  • Mark 2:7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?
  • Luke 11:42 But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.