Matthew 18:21-35

18.21 The verb for sin (amartan-oo) forgive (aphie-mi) here are in the future, not the subjunctive (there is no "if" clause). In short, Peter expects sin and forgiveness. The sentence literally reads: "How often will my brother against me and I forgive him? Until seven times?"

18.24 The word debtor here (opheiletes) is the same word Paul uses in Gal 5:3 -- The one who is circumcised is obligated to obey the entire law.

18.25 Matthew includes a word here: apodidoo-mi (to give back). Matthew uses the word more than any other NT author; neither Mark nor John even use it. It appears numerous times in this parable. We heard it two weeks ago when Jesus said the son of Man will return to "repay" everyone for what they had done (16.27)

18.27 The word for "debt" (daneion) here is unique to the NT; there is a suggestion of interest, even usury with this debt.

18.28 The exact construction of the phrase "Pay what you owe me" is rather interesting. It actually includes an "ei ti" phrase. This phrase is normally translated "if anything," as if to say, the man was not even really sure what the debt was, if in fact, it was anything.

18.29 The verb for beg/plead here is parakale-oo and it is in the present tense -- continued to ask!

18.31 The next time people in the Gospel of Matthew will be distressed (lype-oo) is when the rich young man is told to sell his possessions (19.22). The next time after this is during the last supper when Jesus lets them know that one of them will betray him (26.22).

18.32 The master indicates this servant did the same action (parakale-oo) as the other servant did to him in vs. 29

18.33 The word "fellow slave" is two words in English, but it has been "syndoulos" throughout this text.

18.34 The word for "anger" here is actually a verb (orgiz-oo/mai) used in participle form. This word is not common in the NT (8 times), but appears 3 times in Matthew's Gospel. One little note-this is the word that Luke uses to talk about the older brother in the Lost Son parable.