Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
Parallel translations
- WEB Therefore the Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who wanted to reconcile accounts with his servants.
- BSB Because of this, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
- NKJV Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
- NASB “For this reason the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his slaves.
- NLT “Therefore, the Kingdom of Heaven can be compared to a king who decided to bring his accounts up to date with servants who had borrowed money from him.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Jesus likens the kingdom to a king settling accounts with his servants. The parable will illustrate God's mercy and the obligation it places on the forgiven.
Overview
The settling of accounts pictures the reckoning each person has before God. The kingdom of heaven operates by mercy received and mercy extended. This opening frame prepares for a story that measures our debt to God against the small debts others owe us, teaching the necessity of forgiveness.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- Matt 13:24Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
- Rom 14:12So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
- Matt 3:2And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
- Matt 13:44–45Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
- Matt 13:47Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
- Luke 16:1–2And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.
- Luke 19:12–27He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
- 1 Cor 4:5Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
- Matt 13:52Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.
- 2 Cor 5:10–11For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
- Matt 13:33Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
- Matt 25:14For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
- Matt 13:31Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
- Matt 25:1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
- Matt 25:19–30After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 18:23 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.