Context Study: Jewish Law of Forgiveness

Ask: How many times would you be willing to forgive someone for cancelling plans at the last minute? For taking credit for your work on a department project? For borrowing your car without permission? For intentionally harming you or another person? As learners respond, encourage them to share the reasons for limiting forgiveness for repeated offenses.

State that placing limitations on forgiveness isn’t new to this generation. Say: Jewish tradition during Jesus’ time encouraged people to forgive a repeated offense up to three times. On the fourth time, forgiveness was not required because the offender’s repeated actions indicated they were not truly repentant (Holman New Testament Commentary: Matthew, p. 296).

With this Jewish tradition in mind, lead learners to discuss these questions:

• Why do you think Peter offered to forgive someone seven times?
• How did Jesus’ response of 77 times challenge the disciples’ understanding of forgiveness?
• What attitude toward forgiveness was Jesus trying to instill in His followers?