OET interlinear MAT 18:21

18:21a

Then: This word indicates that the events in this section happened sometime after the events in the previous paragraph. It does not necessarily mean that they happened immediately after it.

Here is another way to translate this word:

After that

Peter came to: The Greek verb that the BSB translates as came to simply means that Peter “came up to” or “came over to” Jesus.

Here are some other ways to translate these words:

Peter came up (ESV)

Peter approached him (JBP)

and asked: The Greek and some other English Bible versions have the pronoun “him” after this phrase, but the BSB lives it untranslated. This pronoun refers to Jesus. Since this is at the beginning of a new section, it may be natural in some languages to make this explicit. For example:

and asked Jesus

18:21b

Lord: This word means “owner,” “master,” or “ruler.” It refers to someone who has authority over people or things. Peter used it to address Jesus because he was Jesus’ disciple.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

Sir

Master (JBP)

This word last occurred in 17:15a.

how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me?: In Greek, the verbs sins and forgive are both future tense. The ESV literally translates the first verb as “will sin.” This can make it seem like Peter knows that a brother is going to sin against him over and over. However, this is a simple request for understanding. Peter wanted to know how often he was obligated to forgive a brother who repeatedly sinned against him. He probably thought that to forgive someone as many as seven times was a lot. Some English versions include that obligation with the verb forgive, usually with the word “must.” They may also use the word “if” with the verb “sin” to indicate Peter’s wondering about this. But the verb clauses then have to be reversed for good English style (as the BSB does). For example: Lord, how often must I forgive my brother if he wrongs me? (NJB) -or- Lord, how often do I have to forgive a believer who wrongs me? (GW)You should determine the best style for your language and audience. Peter asked this question to find out how many times he must forgive a person who repeatedly sinned against him. He probably thought that to forgive someone as many as seven times was a lot.

In some languages, it will be more natural to change the order of some of the words in this question. For example:

how often must I forgive my brother if he wrongs me? (NJB)

if my brother keeps on sinning against me, how many times do I have to forgive him? (GNT)

when my fellow believer sins against me, how many times must I forgive him? (NCV)

how many times: Here is another way to translate this:

how often (ESV)

I forgive: The Greek word that the BSB translates as forgive means “let go” or “cancel.” It refers to canceling any revenge or demand for compensation. It refers to letting go of any anger about the wrong.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

cancel the debt from my brother’s sin against me

will not hold my fellow believer’s sin against him

my brother: This phrase refers to another Christian, whether male or female. It does not only refer to Peter’s male sibling.

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

a fellow believer

who sins against me: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as sins against also occurs in 18:15a. Translate it the same way in both places. For example:

wrong me (JBP)

does something wrong/bad to me

does evil to/against me

18:21c

Up to seven times?: The Greek word that the BSB translates as Up to can also be translated as “as many as” or “until.” Peter wondered if there were a maximum number of times he must forgive someone who sinned against him. He thought that it might be Up to seven times. This probably seemed like a large number of times to him.

Here is another way to translate this clause:

As many as seven times? (ESV)

Some words are implied but not repeated here. The complete clause would be:

Must I forgive him up to seven times?