What did Jesus mean when He said that we should forgive others seventy times seven?

“Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. (Matthew 18:21-22)

What did Jesus mean when He said that we should forgive others seventy times seven?

According to Jewish custom (based upon Amos 1:3-13), rabbis taught that forgiving someone up to three times was sufficient; anything beyond that was unnecessary. Christ, however, upped the ante: when asked, Jesus instructed to forgive those who offend us not just three times, but seventy times seven.”

By saying we are to forgive those who sin against us seventy times seven, Jesus was not limiting forgiveness to 490 times, a number that was at that time and “exaggerated amount,” but through hyperbole our Lord intimates that we are to maintain a forgiving heart – having the grace to forgive someone whether it be the first offense or the millionth. Thus, forgiveness is not to be meted out, but given abundantly, just as God forgives us!

Fr. John