Stories of the Kingdom: The Parables of JesusНамуна

Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

In Matthew 18:23-34, Jesus tells the parable of the unmerciful servant:

The parable begins with a king who decides to settle accounts with his servants. One servant who owes an enormous debt is brought to him, an amount so large it would be impossible for him to repay. In response, the servant pleads with the king for patience, promising to repay everything. Instead of demanding payment, the king cares for the servant and forgives his debt.

However, this same servant finds a fellow servant who owes him much less. Despite being forgiven an enormous debt, he refuses to show mercy and has his fellow servant thrown into prison until the debt is repaid. When the king hears of this, he is outraged and rescinds his earlier forgiveness, handing the unmerciful servant over to be tortured until he can repay all that was owed.

What does this parable teach us about the importance of forgiveness and mercy?