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Biblical theme · Character and relationships

Forgiveness in the Bible

How Scripture speaks of God forgiving people and of people forgiving one another, and how forgiveness differs from repentance, reconciliation and restored trust.

Scripture in WEBWorld English Bible — Protestant Edition

Editorial text in English. Scripture is quoted from the version you choose; references stay the same in every version.

Introduction

Forgiveness runs through the whole Bible: God forgiving people who turn to him, and people forgiving one another. It appears in prayers and in the law, in the prophets, in Jesus’ teaching and parables, and in the letters to the early churches. Psalm 103:10–12Matthew 6:12

The passages also keep apart things that are connected but not identical: forgiveness, repentance, reconciliation, the consequences of wrong, and trust that has to be rebuilt. This page traces the theme and notes those distinctions. Luke 17:3–4Genesis 42:15–20

Central passages

  • Exodus 34:6–7

    God describes himself as forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin, and in the same breath as not leaving guilt unpunished. Both are held together.

  • Psalm 103:8–12

    God does not deal with us according to our sins; he removes our transgressions as far as the east is from the west.

  • Matthew 6:9–15

    The Lord’s Prayer links asking God for forgiveness with forgiving others, and Jesus underlines the link straight after the prayer.

  • Matthew 18:21–35

    Peter asks how often he must forgive; Jesus answers “seventy times seven” and tells the parable of the unforgiving servant.

  • Luke 17:3–4

    If a brother sins, rebuke him; if he repents, forgive him, even seven times in a day.

  • Ephesians 4:31–32

    Put away bitterness and anger; be kind, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.

  • Colossians 3:12–13

    Bear with one another and forgive, “even as Christ forgave you, so you also do”.

  • 1 John 1:8–9

    If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us.

Across Scripture

Each passage is labelled with why it belongs: central teaching, narrative example, supporting passage, comparison, contrast or interpretive connection.

The God who forgives

When God proclaims his name to Moses he describes himself as forgiving iniquity, while not ignoring guilt. The psalms and prophets return to this again and again, often in the setting of confession.

  • Exodus 34:6–7 Central teaching

    God describes himself as forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin, and in the same breath as not leaving guilt unpunished. Both are held together.

  • Psalm 103:8–12 Central teaching

    God does not deal with us according to our sins; he removes our transgressions as far as the east is from the west.

  • Psalm 51:1–12 Supporting passage

    A prayer of confession asking for mercy and a clean heart; its heading connects it with David after his sin with Bathsheba.

  • Micah 7:18–19 Supporting passage

    The prophet asks who is a God like this, who pardons iniquity and casts sins into the depths of the sea.

In the teaching of Jesus

Jesus teaches his disciples to ask for forgiveness and to forgive, tells a parable about a servant forgiven a vast debt who will not forgive a small one, and speaks of forgiving again and again.

  • Matthew 6:9–15 Central teaching

    The Lord’s Prayer links asking God for forgiveness with forgiving others, and Jesus underlines the link straight after the prayer.

  • Matthew 18:21–35 Central teaching

    Peter asks how often he must forgive; Jesus answers “seventy times seven” and tells the parable of the unforgiving servant.

  • Luke 17:3–4 Central teaching

    If a brother sins, rebuke him; if he repents, forgive him, even seven times in a day.

  • Mark 2:1–12 Narrative example

    Jesus tells a paralysed man his sins are forgiven, and the scribes ask who can forgive sins but God alone.

Stories of forgiveness

The Bible’s stories show forgiveness that is costly, slow and sometimes tearful: Joseph and his brothers, a father and his runaway son, and prayers for enemies at the moment of death.

  • Genesis 45:1–15 Narrative example

    Joseph reveals himself to the brothers who sold him, weeps, and tells them not to be distressed.

  • Genesis 50:15–21 Narrative example

    After their father’s death the brothers fear revenge; Joseph refuses it and promises to provide for them.

  • Luke 15:11–32 Narrative example

    In Jesus’ parable a father runs to welcome his son home, then pleads with his angry older son.

  • Acts 7:59–60 Narrative example

    Stephen, as he is stoned, prays, “Lord, don’t hold this sin against them!”

In the letters

The letters to the churches ground forgiving one another in God’s forgiveness, and speak of confession and of welcoming back someone who has caused grief.

  • Ephesians 4:31–32 Central teaching

    Put away bitterness and anger; be kind, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.

  • Colossians 3:12–13 Central teaching

    Bear with one another and forgive, “even as Christ forgave you, so you also do”.

  • 1 John 1:8–9 Central teaching

    If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us.

  • 2 Corinthians 2:5–11 Supporting passage

    Paul asks a church to forgive and comfort someone who caused grief, so that he is not overwhelmed by sorrow.

Stories that show this theme

People associated with this theme

Distinctions and questions of interpretation

Forgiveness and repentance
Jesus links them: “if he repents, forgive him.” Yet he also prays for those crucifying him, who had not repented. Christians differ in how they hold these together. Luke 17:3–4Luke 23:34
Forgiveness and reconciliation
Forgiveness lets go of a debt; reconciliation restores a relationship and needs both people. Joseph tested his brothers before he trusted them. Genesis 42:15–20Matthew 5:23–24
Forgiveness and consequences
Nathan tells David that the LORD has put away his sin, and in the same speech that consequences will follow. 2 Samuel 12:13–14
Forgiveness and justice
Believers are told not to take revenge but to leave room for God’s judgment. Forgiving does not mean saying a wrong did not happen. Romans 12:17–21
Forgiveness and trust
Forgiving someone does not require staying in danger. Trust is rebuilt over time; where there is abuse, safety comes first. Proverbs commends the prudent person who sees danger and takes shelter. Proverbs 22:3

Related themes

Life situations

Questions for reflection

Written by BibleKenya editors. They are not Scripture.

  1. What does Exodus 34:6-7 say about forgiveness and guilt together?
  2. Why do you think Jesus tells the parable in Matthew 18:23-35 after Peter’s question?
  3. Which of the stories shows forgiveness taking time? What made it slow?
  4. How would you explain the difference between forgiving someone and trusting them again?

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