Bible fact · Translation-dependent observation
Forgive "seventy times seven"
When Peter asked if he should forgive seven times, Jesus said "until seventy times seven" (or "seventy-seven times"). Matthew 18:21–22
Discover why
"Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?" Jesus said, "I don't tell you until seven times, but, until seventy times seven." He then told the parable of the unforgiving servant. Matthew 18:21–35
How this was worked out
The Greek can be read as 70 × 7 or as 77; the World English Bible has "seventy times seven", other versions "seventy-seven times". Either way, the point is forgiveness without counting.
Counts and numbers that depend on an edition, canon or verse numbering can differ in other Bibles.
Read the passage
Matthew 18:21–22 WEB
21Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?” 22Jesus said to him, “I don’t tell you until seven times, but, until seventy times seven.