What Does Matthew 18:22 Mean in the King James?

Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Matthew 18:22 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

Jesus turns the exact scale Lamech used to multiply vengeance toward release, so forgiveness has no quota.

THE MEANING

When harm returns, the urge is to keep score; this answer makes release outgrow the score. The formula that multiplies vengeance now measures letting go, so release has no fixed stopping point.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The lie that a person’s repeated harm exhausts your forgiveness after a set number of times.

THE ROOT

ἀφίημι

aphiēmi

GROWS FROM

⁨ἵημι⁩ (hiēmi), with ⁨ἀπό⁩ (apo, away)

Send away; let go.

Peter’s verb can mean forgive, leave, or let go. Its word family presents forgiveness as release: the debt is let go of, while the injury is not denied.

ALSO GROWS

aphéntes: Having left or let go

ἀφέντες

In Matthew 4:20, the same verb describes the disciples leaving their nets; forgiveness and leaving share the movement of letting go.

áphesis: Release, remission

ἄφεσις

This related noun names forgiveness as release, making clear what the answer’s unbounded measure applies to.

THE PATTERN

The measure that multiplies vengeance is redirected toward release, which outgrows counting.

If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.

Genesis 4:24 · KJVThe same seventyfold scale that magnifies vengeance echoes here as a measure for release.

And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

Luke 17:4 · KJVEven when the offense is counted repeatedly, forgiveness remains open each time.

Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Colossians 3:13 · KJVRelease reaches even where there is a real grievance; it does not depend on pretending the hurt is absent.

THE THREAD

If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.

Genesis 4:24 · KJV

The Greek wording for seventy times seven echoes the wording for Lamech’s multiplied vengeance. Jesus places that same scale in the answer to a question about release, turning the multiplication of retaliation toward letting go.

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