Matthew 18 31

Matthew 18:31 kjv

So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

Matthew 18:31 nkjv

So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done.

Matthew 18:31 niv

When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.

Matthew 18:31 esv

When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place.

Matthew 18:31 nlt

"When some of the other servants saw this, they were very upset. They went to the king and told him everything that had happened.

Matthew 18 verses

Matthew 18 31 Meaning

Matthew 18:31 describes the natural, righteous reaction of the unmerciful servant's fellow servants to his severe, unmerciful treatment of another debtor. Having witnessed their master's immense generosity in forgiving the servant's colossal debt, and then observing the same servant relentlessly punishing a peer for a small debt, these fellow servants were deeply pained and morally outraged. Their distress compelled them to go and faithfully inform their master of all that had transpired, seeking intervention and justice for the hypocrisy and lack of compassion displayed. This act signifies that those who witness severe injustice and lack of mercy, especially after experiencing great mercy themselves, are compelled to acknowledge and report it to the ultimate authority.

Matthew 18 31 Context

This verse is found within Jesus' teaching on discipleship in Matthew Chapter 18. It immediately follows the recounting of the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (Mat 18:23-30), which Jesus tells in response to Peter's question about how often he should forgive his brother (Mat 18:21). The parable vividly illustrates the immense forgiveness granted by God (represented by the master forgiving the servant's insurmountable debt) and contrasts it with the lack of mercy shown by the forgiven servant towards a much smaller debt owed to him by a fellow servant. Matthew 18:31 serves as the bridge between the unmerciful servant's action and the master's subsequent judgment, emphasizing the human response of distress and reporting. Historically, debt and the absolute power of masters over servants were well-known societal structures in the ancient Near East, making the parable’s details relatable and impactful to its original audience.

Matthew 18 31 Word analysis

• So when (οὖν / oun): This connective indicates a logical progression or consequence, linking the servant's actions (Mat 18:28-30) to the reaction of the fellow servants.
• his fellow servants (οἱ συνδοῦλοι αὐτοῦ / hoi syndouloi autou):
  • syn- (συν): Prefix meaning "with" or "together."
  • doulos (δοῦλος): Means "slave" or "servant."
  • Collectively, "co-servants" or "fellow slaves." This emphasizes their shared position under the same master, implying they were also recipients of the master's general goodness and potential forgiveness. They likely felt a sense of camaraderie and shared plight with the debtor.
• saw what had happened (τὸ γενόμενον / to genomenon): Signifies direct observation, not hearsay. They were eyewitnesses to the unmerciful servant's actions, making their testimony credible and their distress genuine. The event (τὸ γενόμενον) refers to the first servant seizing, choking, and imprisoning his debtor despite having been forgiven a far greater debt.
• they were greatly distressed (σφόδρα ἐλυπήθησαν / sforra elupēthēsan):
  • sforra (σφόδρα): "Exceedingly," "very much," "to a high degree." It intensifies the verb.
  • elupēthēsan (ἐλυπήθησαν): From lypeō (λυπέω), meaning "to pain," "to grieve," "to distress." It's an aorist passive, indicating they "were caused to be grieved/distressed."
  • This phrase indicates a deep, emotional, and moral outrage or sorrow. Their distress highlights the ethical severity of the unmerciful servant's actions. It signifies a natural, righteous indignation in the face of injustice and hypocrisy, mirroring how God himself feels about such lack of compassion among those He has shown immense mercy.
• and went and reported (ἐλθόντες διεσάφησαν / elthontes diesafēsan):
  • elthontes (ἐλθόντες): "Having gone." An active decision to present themselves.
  • diesafēsan (διεσάφησαν): From diasaféō (διασαφέω), meaning "to make clear," "to explain accurately," "to report fully." It suggests a thorough, factual, and unambiguous presentation of the situation. This indicates that their report was not gossip but a serious appeal to authority.
• to their master (τῷ κυρίῳ αὐτῶν / tō kyriō autōn): The master (κύριος / kyrios) represents God in the parable, the ultimate authority and judge who possesses the power to intervene and enact justice. Reporting to the master underscores the accountability of servants to their lord and the expectation that a righteous lord would act upon injustice reported to him.
• all that had taken place (πάντα τὰ γενόμενα / panta ta genomena): "All the things that had happened." Emphasizes a complete, unfiltered account, leaving nothing out. This reinforces the integrity of their report and the magnitude of the offense committed by the unmerciful servant.

Matthew 18 31 Bonus section

The strong emotion expressed by sforra elupēthēsan ("greatly distressed") signifies that the lack of mercy displayed by the unmerciful servant was not merely a breach of social custom, but a profound moral failing that caused acute pain and disappointment to others. This highlights that unmercifulness among God's people grieves not only God Himself but also those who embody His character and understand the vastness of His grace. It hints at the idea of shared community and responsibility within the Kingdom; when one member acts against the very nature of the King's character (mercy), it impacts and distresses the entire spiritual family. This verse thus lays the groundwork for the just and inevitable divine intervention, reinforcing the theme that true forgiveness involves a transformational impact that extends outward into all human relationships.

Matthew 18 31 Commentary

Matthew 18:31 is a pivotal moment in the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant. It demonstrates the expected response from those who have witnessed both profound grace and flagrant hypocrisy. The "fellow servants" symbolize believers who understand the vastness of God's forgiveness and are consequently distressed by the absence of that same mercy in the actions of a fellow recipient of grace. Their "great distress" (σφόδρα ἐλυπήθησαν) is not mere annoyance but a deep, righteous grief over the spiritual incongruity and moral injustice. This reaction acts as an endorsement of the master's impending judgment. By reporting "all that had taken place" to "their master," these servants model righteous indignation and an appeal to divine justice. It illustrates that true disciples, those who have grasped the generosity of their Heavenly Master's forgiveness, cannot passively witness the harsh, unmerciful treatment of others by those who themselves have received immense grace. Their act of reporting reflects a belief in justice and underscores the reality that nothing we do, especially concerning our treatment of others, is hidden from our ultimate Master, God. This foreshadows the Master's (God's) eventual reckoning and serves as a powerful reminder of the imperative for reciprocal forgiveness within the community of faith.