Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 18:22

"Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times; but, Until seventy times seven." — Matthew 18:22 (ASV)

I do not wonder that we read in another place that the disciples said, Lord, increase our faith. For it needs much faith to have so much patience, and to continue to forgive.

Our Lord intends to teach us to forgive always and without end. He sets no limit. I say not to you, “Until seven times,” measured mercy is not according to the command.

We may read the words of our Lord in this verse as seventy-seven times or as seventy times seven, or four hundred and ninety times. There is no occasion to be very definite about numbers when an indefinite number is meant. We should consider offenses of too little importance to spend time counting them or reckoning the number of times that we have overlooked them.