John Gill Commentary Matthew 18:21

"Then came Peter and said to him, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? until seven times?" — Matthew 18:21 (ASV)

Then came Peter unto him
Having heard and observed the rules Christ gave concerning offences and brotherly reproofs, he drew near to Christ, and put this question to him:

and said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I
forgive him ?
He instances in a brother, because it was such an one Christ had been speaking of; he makes no doubt of its being his duty to forgive him upon his repentance, and acknowledgment, but wanted to know, how often this was to be done, and asks, whether

until seven times ?
Which was, as he might think, a large number; and especially, since it was double the number of times, that the Jewish doctors set for forgiveness: for thus they say ^F4 ,

A man that commits a sin, the "first" time they pardon him; the "second" time they pardon him; the "third" time they pardon him: the "fourth" time they do not pardon, according to (Amos 2:6) (Job 33:29) .

Again, he that says I have sinned, and I repent, they forgive him "unto three times", and no more ^F5 .

---

FOOTNOTES:

• F4: T. Bab. Yoma, fol. 36. 2. Mainion. Hilch. Teshuba. c. 3. sect. 5.
• F5: Abot. R. Nathan, c. 40. fol. 9. 3.