For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
What does Matthew 6:14 mean?
Christ saw it needful to show his disciples what must commonly be the matter and method of their prayer. Not that we are tied up to the use of this only, or of this always; yet, without doubt, it is very good to use it.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside Matthew 6:11-15 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Matthew 6:14
Your heavenly Father will also forgive you - This is constantly required in the Bible. See the notes at Matthew 6:12 . Our Saviour says we should forgive even if the offence be committed seventy times seven times, Matthew 18:22 . By this is meant, that when a man asks forgiveness, we are cordially and forever to pardon the offence; we are to declare our willingness to forgive him.
Context in Matthew 6
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Matthew 6 belongs to the early movement of the book, especially the section often described as birth and preparation. Matthew presents Jesus as Davidic Messiah, new Moses, teacher of the kingdom, suffering Son of Man, and risen Lord who commissions the nations. Read this chapter with the wider themes of fulfillment, kingdom of heaven, and discipleship in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
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Bible verses about forgiveness
A reading list on divine pardon, repentance, reconciliation, and the demand to forgive others because God has first forgiven.
Passages on asking, persistence, confession, dependence, and the way prayer shapes Christian life and attention.