THE UNFORGIVING SERVANT: J S 2

TEXT: Matthew 18:21-35.

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant is found in the Gospel of Matthew 18:21-35. It teaches about the importance of forgiveness and mercy.

A servant owed his master a huge amount of money, equivalent to several lifetimes’ wages. Since the servant couldn’t repay the debt, the master ordered that he and his family be sold to repay it. The servant fell on his knees, begging for patience, promising to repay everything.

Touched by the servant’s plea, the master had compassion and forgave the entire debt, releasing the servant from his burden. However, when the servant left the master’s presence, he found a fellow servant who owed him a much smaller amount of money. He grabbed him and demanded repayment. The fellow servant begged for patience, but the unforgiving servant refused and had him thrown into prison until the debt was paid.

Other servants witnessed this and were greatly disturbed. They reported it to the master, who summoned the unforgiving servant and rebuked him for not showing the same mercy he had received. In anger, the master handed the servant over to the jailers to be tortured until he could repay his entire debt.

Jesus concludes the parable by saying, “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

This parable emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and mercy. The forgiveness we receive from God should lead us to forgive others in turn. It warns against harboring bitterness and refusing to forgive others, as it ultimately harms us and separates us from God’s grace.

Objective Questions:

Who is the central figure in the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant?
What is the amount of money the servant owes his master?
How does the master respond to the servant’s plea for forgiveness?
What does the unforgiving servant do after being forgiven?
How does the master react when he learns about the unforgiving servant’s actions?
What punishment does the master impose on the unforgiving servant?
How does the parable conclude?
What is the main lesson or moral of the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant?
In what Gospel is the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant found?
What is the relationship between the forgiveness we receive from God and our forgiveness of others according to this parable?
What was the initial response of the master to the servant’s plea for patience?
How does the unforgiving servant treat his fellow servant who owes him money?
How do the other servants react to the unforgiving servant’s actions?
What does the master do to the unforgiving servant after learning about his behavior?
How does Jesus conclude the parable?
What does the parable teach about the consequences of harboring unforgiveness?
What does the parable teach about the nature of forgiveness?
How does the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant illustrate the principle of reciprocity?
What role does mercy play in the parable?
How does the parable illustrate the importance of forgiveness in relationships?

Theory Questions:

Discuss the significance of forgiveness in the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant and its implications for interpersonal relationships.
Analyze the character of the master in the parable and his response to the servant’s plea for forgiveness.
Explain the symbolism of the debts owed in the parable and how they relate to spiritual debts in Christian theology.
Reflect on the theological implications of the parable’s conclusion, particularly regarding God’s judgment and mercy.
Discuss how the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant challenges societal norms regarding justice and forgiveness, and how its message can be applied in contemporary contexts.