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

The main thrust of this parable is that when people 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 just as Christ had on us (Col 3:13 and Jas 2:13).

If we fail to forgive others just as we have been forgiven, then this parable teaches that we can once again become liable for the debt that has been forgiven. This could be illustrating the church discipline spoken of in Mt 18:15-20. 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). This could also illustrate those who have been saved but renounce their faith, become reprobate, and suffer 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 and woman will receive judgment for their own sins and not another's (De 24:16, 2Ki 14:6, Jer 31:29-30, and Eze 18:19-32).

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

If God expects us to forgive a brother who has trespassed against us 490 times in one day (actually an unlimited number of times), certainly He who is love (1Jo 4:8) will do no less with us.