Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
moved.
Judges 10:16 And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the LORD: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.
Nehemiah 9:17 And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.
Psalm 78:38 But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.
forgave his debt
Forgiveness of debt in the ancient world was a significant act, often involving a legal or formal declaration. In Jewish law, the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25) was a time when debts were forgiven, reflecting God's desire for restoration and freedom. Theologically, this phrase points to the forgiveness of sins, a central tenet of Christian faith, where God forgives the insurmountable debt of sin through Jesus Christ. This act of forgiveness is a type of the ultimate forgiveness offered through Christ's sacrifice, as seen in Colossians 2:13-14, where the record of debt is canceled.
and released him
The release of the servant signifies liberation and freedom, echoing the biblical theme of redemption. In the historical context, a debtor could be imprisoned or enslaved until the debt was paid, so release was a profound act of grace. This release parallels the spiritual freedom believers receive through Christ, as described in Galatians 5:1, where Paul speaks of freedom from the yoke of slavery. The release also prefigures the eschatological hope of ultimate liberation from sin and death, as promised in Revelation 21:4, where God will wipe away every tear and free humanity from the consequences of sin.
“Moved with compassion, the master of that servant released him and forgave his debt.” (Matthew 18:27).
• Compassion is the wellspring of every act that follows; it is God’s heart turned toward the sinner. Compare Luke 15:20, where the father “was filled with compassion” before embracing the prodigal.
• Compassion signals more than pity—it is a decisive willingness to act (Psalm 103:13).
• In Jesus’ parable, the king reflects God’s own character: “The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in loving devotion.” (Psalm 145:8).
• The servant’s obligation was astronomical (Matthew 18:24); forgiveness is absolute, not partial.
• Colossians 2:13-14 parallels this: God “canceled the record of debt that stood against us.”
• Isaiah 1:18 assures, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” The release is total and final.
• Forgiveness here is unilateral—initiated by the master, not earned by the servant (Ephesians 2:8-9).
• The king not only forgives; he frees. No lingering servitude, no probationary period.
• John 8:36 echoes this freedom: “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
• Romans 8:1 underscores the outcome: “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
• Release restores relationship and removes fear (1 John 4:18).
Matthew 18:27 spotlights the triad of divine mercy: compassionate heart, full forgiveness, and liberating release. The verse assures believers that God’s grace addresses both the guilt of sin and the bondage it brings, inviting us to rest in His complete, undeserved pardon and live out the same mercy toward others.
(27) Was moved with compassion.--The teaching of the parable deals tenderly even with that impotent effort at justification. It touches the heart of the "lord of that servant," and is met with more than it asked for--not with patience and long-suffering only, but with the pity that forgives freely. The sinner is absolved, and the vast debt which he could never pay is forgiven freely. So far as he believes his Lord's assurance, he is now "justified by faith."Forgave him the debt.--The Greek noun in this case expresses a debt contracted through a loan, and in the interpretation of the parable suggests a thought like that in the parables of the Pounds, the Talents, and the Unjust Steward. What we call our own--life, with all its opportunities--is really lent to us, and God requires repayment with interest.
Verse 27. - Was moved with compassion. The earthly circumstance has its counterpart in God's dealings with sinners. Humility, confession, prayer, are accepted by him as payment of the debt. Loosed him from arrest, from being sold as a slave. This was the first favour accorded. The second was even greater. Forgave him the debt. The servant had asked only for time; he receives acquittance of the enormous sum which he owed. The king's severity had brought home to the debtor his full guilt did its consequences; when he realizes these, and throws himself on his lord's mercy, he receives more than he had asked or hoped for. But (to revert to the spiritual interpretation) the pardoned sinner must not forget the past; he must live as one forgiven. Says the penitent psalmist, "I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me" (Psalm 51:3).