“Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”
Matthew 6:12
Read this saying in the chronological reader →Words of Jesus by topic
What did Jesus say about forgiveness?
Forgiveness appears in Jesus’ prayers, parables, community teaching and even his words from the cross. His teaching joins receiving mercy with extending mercy, while also speaking about repentance, rebuke and reconciliation rather than simply ignoring harm.
At a glance
- The Lord’s Prayer makes forgiveness part of ordinary prayer.
- Jesus repeatedly connects God’s forgiveness with a willingness to forgive others.
- “Seventy times seven” rejects a small accounting system for mercy.
- Luke 17 includes both rebuke and forgiveness when a brother repents.
- At the crucifixion, Jesus prays for those acting against him.
Forgiveness belongs in daily prayer
In the Lord’s Prayer, forgiveness sits beside daily bread and deliverance from temptation. Jesus then immediately returns to the subject, underscoring the seriousness of forgiving others.
Mercy received and mercy given
The parable of the unforgiving servant starts with an enormous cancelled debt and exposes the contradiction of receiving mercy while refusing mercy to another.
“I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”
Matthew 18:22
Read this saying in the chronological reader →Forgiveness does not mean pretending nothing happened
Luke records Jesus telling disciples to rebuke a brother who trespasses and to forgive when he repents—even repeatedly. Naming wrong and extending forgiveness can appear together.
“If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.”
Luke 17:3
Read this saying in the chronological reader →Forgiveness is joined to prayer
In Mark 11, Jesus places forgiveness directly inside instruction about prayer. Resentment toward another person is therefore not treated as unrelated to spiritual life.
“When ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any.”
Mark 11:25
Read this saying in the chronological reader →“Father, forgive them”
Luke records Jesus praying from the cross for those involved in his crucifixion—one of the strongest narrative examples of the mercy he teaches elsewhere.
“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”
Luke 23:34
Read this saying in the chronological reader →Explore the complete collection.
Search the reader for “forgive” to see these sayings in chronological context.
Search sayings about forgiveness →For serious situations involving abuse, danger, crime or coercion, questions about forgiveness should not be used to discourage safety, boundaries, reporting, or appropriate professional help.