Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadHeinrich Meyer Commentary - Matthew 18:23 - 18:23
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Mat_18:23. Διὰ τοῦτο ] must refer to the reply to Peter’s question, for a new scene was introduced at Mat_18:21. Therefore to be explained thus: “because I have enjoined such unlimited forgiveness” (not merely a conciliatory disposition generally, in answer to de Wette and Bleek). The duty of unlimited forgiveness proves any shortcoming in regard to this matter to be but the more reprehensible, and to point this out is the object of the parable which follows.
ὡμοιώθη ἡ βας . τ . οὐρ . ] See note on Mat_13:24.
The δοῦλοι are the king’s ministers who are indebted to him through having received money on loan ( δάνειον , Mat_18:27), or, relatively, as treasurers, land stewards, or the like. But it is not without reason that ἀνθρώπῳ is joined to βασιλεῖ , seeing that the kingdom of heaven is likened to a human king. Comp. the ἀνὴρ βασιλεύς of Homer.
συναίρειν λόγον ] to hold a reckoning, to settle accounts, occurs again in Mat_25:19, but nowhere else. Classical writers would say: διαλογίζεσθαι πρός τινα , Dem. 1236. 17.