Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 18:28

"But that servant went out, and found one of his fellow-servants, who owed him a hundred shillings: and he laid hold on him, and took [him] by the throat, saying, Pay what thou owest." — Matthew 18:28 (ASV)

The same servant, but how different his bearing! Just now he was a lowly suppliant, but now he is a hectoring tyrant. He went out from the presence of his gracious lord, scarcely waiting to express his gratitude. He found one of his fellow servants, not his servant, nor his inferior, but one who was his equal and his companion in service. This man owed him a hundred pence, a mere trifle when compared with the enormous debt which had been forgiven.

We expect that he will at once wipe out that little score, but no, he laid hands on him, violently seizing him, for fear he might get away for a time. He took him by the throat and bullied him with peremptory demands. He would have no patience with his debtor. He would not let him breathe if he did not pay. The debt was very, very small, but the claim was urged with intense ferocity.

Our little claims against our fellow men are too often pressed upon them with unsparing severity. The claimant had not even patience for an hour, but throttled his fellow servant with the rough demand, “Pay me that thou owest.” What right did he have to be choking his lord’s servant? He was injuring one who belonged to his own king. Our fellow servant is our Lord’s servant, and not ours to bully and oppress as we please.