Note 8 at Mt. 18:23: The word "therefore" with which Jesus begins this parable, ties this teaching in with His previous statement on forgiving (v. 22) and, indeed, on the related topics of church discipline (vv. 15-20) and God's compassion for the lost (vv. 12-14). This parable simply illustrates what He already said.

The main thrust of this parable is that when we have people who wrong us, we should remember God's great mercy that He has shown to us and respond in kind (Eph. 4:32). Any debt that could be owed to us is insignificant compared to the debt of which we have been forgiven. We should have compassion on others as Christ had on us (Col. 3:13; Jas. 2:13).

If we fail to forgive others as we have been forgiven, then this parable teaches that we can, once again, become liable for the debt that had been forgiven. This could be illustrating the church discipline spoken of in verses 15- 20. This man's fellow servants brought him before his master for judgment similar to Christ's instructions about how to discipline a brother (see note 5 at Mt. 18:17, p. 218). This could also illustrate a person who has been saved but who renounces his faith, becomes reprobate, and suffers the torments of hell.

It is certain that not every part of this parable can be applied literally because the Lord of this servant commanded this man's wife and children to be sold as part of the payment of this debt. This cannot be applied to the spiritual meaning of this parable in light of the scriptures' teaching that every man or woman will receive judgment for his own sins and not another's (Dt. 24:16; 2 Ki. 14:6; Jer. 31:29-30; Ezek. 18:19-32).

Therefore, caution should be used when drawing conclusions from this parable about judgment. The main point emphasized is the necessity of forgiving others and the severe consequences if we don't.