What Does Matthew 18:27 Mean in the King James?
Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
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
Compassion releases two things at once: the debtor from the creditor and the debt from the account.
THE MEANING
Compassion moves the one holding the claim to release the person and let the debt go. The debtor is not shown paying it off; the obligation loses its hold because the creditor releases it. Here, release reaches both the person and what is owed.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
This undoes the belief that a person can be released only after paying what they owe. The creditor lets the person go while the debt remains unpaid.
THE ROOT
ἀφῆκεν
aphēken
GROWS FROM
ἵημι (hiēmi), within ἀφίημι (aphiēmi)
To send away or let go; with ἀπό (apo, away), to release.
The Greek verb translated “forgave” is release-language: the creditor lets the debt go. The verse makes the release concrete, the debtor is let go, and the debt is let go too.
ALSO GROWS
aphesis: Release, remission
ἄφεσις
This noun from the same word family shows how the language of forgiveness also names release.
aphietai: Is released, is forgiven
ἀφίεται
This form of the same verb holds both meanings together: what is forgiven is let go.
ἀπέλυσεν
apelysen
GROWS FROM
λύω (lyō), within ἀπολύω (apolyō)
To loosen or unbind; with ἀπό (apo, away), to release or send away.
“loosed” in this verse is apelysen. The verse uses one release-word for the servant and another for the debt. English keeps the actions distinct, while the Greek lets their shared motion show: both are loosened from the creditor’s hold.
ALSO GROWS
lyō: Loosen, untie, unbind
λύω
This is the root sense beneath the servant being loosed.
apolysis: Release, dismissal
ἀπόλυσις
This related noun carries the sense of being released or sent away, echoing the servant’s release.
ἐσπλαγχνίσθη
esplagchnisthē
GROWS FROM
σπλάγχνα (splanchna), in the family of σπλαγχνίζομαι (splagchnizomai)
The inward parts or entrails; the verb describes being moved in one’s inward parts.
Compassion here is not an abstract judgment: its Greek word pictures the inward parts being stirred. The release that follows begins as an inward movement and becomes an action toward the debtor.
ALSO GROWS
splanchna: Inward parts, entrails
σπλάγχνα
This noun gives compassion its bodily image: the feeling is located deep within.
eusplagchnos: Tenderhearted, compassionate
εὔσπλαγχνος
This related word describes a tender heart through the same inward-parts family.
THE PATTERN
Release ends a claim by letting the debt or burden go instead of collecting it.
And this is the manner of the release: Every creditor that lendeth ought unto his neighbour shall release it; he shall not exact it of his neighbour, or of his brother; because it is called the LORD’s release.As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;THE THREAD
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.The Greek verb translated “forgive” in both verses comes from ἀφίημι (aphiēmi), meaning “release” or “let go.” Here, that same release-language sits beside debts and debtors, making the link between forgiveness and relinquishing a claim especially clear.
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