A | 21, 22. Question regarding forgiveness of a brother.

B | 23-34. Parable applying the principle to the dispensational teaching

concerning the kingdom of the heavens,

and showing the principle of God's dealings with Israel.

1a | The King (23-26). The debt of 1,000 talents. Command to pay.

Servant falls down, says "Have patience," and promises to pay all.

1b | Forgiveness (27). Moved with compassion, looses servant and forgives debt.

2a | The Servant (28, 29). The debt of 1,000 pence.

Taken by throat and payment demanded.

Fellow servant falls down, says "Have patience," and promises to pay all.

2b | No forgiveness (30). Not moved with compassion.

Casts fellow-servants into prison until debt is paid.

3a | The King (32, 33). Servant reminded that all his debt had been forgiven.

"I had pity."

3b | Forgiveness

Servant delivered to tormentors until payment

rescinded (34).

Made of all due.

A | 35. Application regarding forgiveness of a brother.

When considering the first parable of this series, the Unforgiving Servant, we noticed

that it was particularly addressed to Peter in answer to his question regarding the extent

of forgiveness. The parable of the Householder and Vineyard is also addressed to Peter

in reference to his question concerning the reward of service. This is indicated by the

word "For" with which the parable commences.

Looking back into chapter 19: we shall find the inspired introduction to the parable

which it is essential to keep in mind. Chapter 19: records the fact that the Lord left

Galilee and came to Judæa, and while there the Pharisees tempted Him with questions

relating to divorce. The disciples were rather disconcerted by the Lord's answer to the

Pharisees (verse 10), but the Lord told them that "All men cannot receive this saying,

save they to whom it is given. . . . He that is able to receive it, let him receive it"

(verses 11, 12). The disciples evidence their misunderstanding of the words of verse 12

by the fact that they rebuked those who brought little children to the Lord. The Lord

disposed of this false deduction, blessed the little children, and with them the ordinance

of marriage which began to be questioned in the mind of the disciples, and then departed.