[CYM] 7.0 Forgive Others

Forgiveness is a central command in Yeshua’s teachings, woven throughout His message of mercy, reconciliation, and love.

In the book of Matthew, Yeshua commands, if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift (Matthew 5:23–24). This shows that reconciliation takes priority—even over worship.

Moreover, in the book of Matthew, Yeshua strongly emphasizes the necessity of forgiving others. In the model prayer taught by Yeshua, He teaches, forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors (Matthew 6:12), and immediately explains and warns, if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (Matthew 6:14–15). Later, Peter asks how often to forgive, and Yeshua responds, I say not unto thee, until seven times: but, until seventy times seven (Matthew 18:21–22), illustrating boundless forgiveness. He follows this with the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:23–35), showing the danger of receiving God’s mercy but refusing to extend it to others.

In the book of Mark, Yeshua connects forgiveness directly with prayer: when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses (Mark 11:25), emphasizing that unresolved bitterness hinders communion with God.

The book of Luke highlights forgiveness in relational terms. Yeshua teaches, If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he trespasses against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him (Luke 17:3–4). The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15) further illustrates God’s extravagant forgiveness and sets a model for human relationships.

While the book of John does not include direct commands to forgive others, it shows Yeshua’s modeling forgiveness—especially when He forgives Peter after his denial (John 21:15–19). His grace-filled response demonstrates that forgiveness restores and empowers.

Across the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Yeshua commands His followers to forgive freely and repeatedly, mirroring the mercy God shows to us and making forgiveness a mark of true discipleship.