Bible Strands
Matthew 18:21
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Peter approaches Jesus to ask a question about the limits of forgiveness during a discourse on handling sin within the community.
The words — προσελθὼν (proselthōn) means "having come," describing Peter's physical approach, while ποσάκις (posakis) translates literally to "how often," framing the inquiry as a question of frequency rather than a fixed quota.
The thread — The question immediately follows Jesus' promise of His presence when believers gather (Matthew 18:20) and directly precedes His answer on boundless forgiveness (Matthew 18:22), while echoing the broader scriptural protocol for private confrontation (Matthew 18:15) and forgiveness upon repentance (Luke 17:3).
Why it lands — The text records Peter proposing seven repetitions as a generous limit, which requires the reader to examine their own tendency to quantify grace and measure mercy.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
Cross-references
- Luke 17:3 Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.
- Matthew 18:15 If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.