Charles Ellicott Commentary Matthew 18:27

"And the lord of that servant, being moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt." — Matthew 18:27 (ASV)

Was moved with compassion — The teaching of the parable deals tenderly even with that powerless effort at justification. It touches the heart of the “lord of that servant” and is met with more than it asked for—not with patience and long-suffering only, but with the pity that forgives freely. The sinner is absolved, and the vast debt which he could never pay is forgiven freely. Insofar as he believes his Lord’s assurance, he is now “justified by faith.”

Forgave him the debt — The Greek noun in this case expresses a debt contracted through a loan. In the interpretation of the parable, this suggests a thought similar to that in the parables of the Pounds, the Talents, and the Unjust Steward. What we call our own—life, with all its opportunities—is really lent to us, and God requires repayment with interest.