Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 18:35

"So shall also my heavenly Father do unto you, if ye forgive not every one his brother from your hearts." — Matthew 18:35 (ASV)

Jesus sees no incongruity in the actions of a heavenly Father who forgives so bountifully and punishes so ruthlessly, and neither should we. Indeed, it is precisely because he is a God of such compassion and mercy that he cannot possibly accept as his those devoid of such compassion and mercy. This is not to say that the king’s compassion can be earned: far from it, the servant was granted freedom only by virtue of the king’s forgiveness. As in 6:12, 14–15, those who are forgiven must forgive, lest they show themselves incapable of receiving forgiveness.