Contradictions and Paradoxes in Matthew 18:28

Check out Contradictions Catalog of Matthew 18:28 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts Matthew 18:28. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to Matthew, this story shows that we should be kind and forgiving to others, just like we want people to be kind and forgiving to us. The servant was not nice to his friend even after he was forgiven a bigger debt, teaching us that we should not forget to be fair and merciful.

Matthew 18:28: But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took [him] by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. [pence: the Roman penny is the eighth part of an ounce, which after five shillings the ounce is seven pence halfpenny; about fourteen cents]

Contradiction with Matthew 5:7

This verse promotes mercy, while Matthew 18:28 shows a lack of mercy in the servant's actions.

Matthew 5:7: Blessed [are] the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Contradiction with Luke 6:36

Encourages being merciful just as the Father is merciful, contrasting the unforgiving behavior in Matthew 18:28.

Luke 6:36: Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Contradiction with Exodus 23:4-5

Advises helping even if one harbors negative feelings, opposing the harsh actions of the servant in Matthew 18:28.

Exodus 23:4-5: If thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again.

Contradiction with Ephesians 4:32

Urges kindness and forgiveness, which opposes the unforgiving nature in Matthew 18:28.

Ephesians 4:32: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Contradiction with James 2:13

Highlights mercy triumphing over judgment, unlike the servant’s judgmental approach in Matthew 18:28.

James 2:13: For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. [rejoiceth: or, glorieth]

Paradox #1

The potential contradiction or inconsistency with "Matthew 18:28" could arise from the theme of forgiveness and mercy. In this verse, a person who was forgiven a huge debt refuses to forgive a small debt owed to him, which can be seen as conflicting with the teachings of compassion and forgiveness emphasized elsewhere in the Bible, such as in the Lord's Prayer ("forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors") or Jesus' teachings on unlimited forgiveness. The contradiction lies in the expectation of showing the same forgiveness we've been shown, yet in this verse, the character does not do so, highlighting a human struggle with living up to ideals of mercy.

Paradox #2

The contradiction or conflict in that verse is the unfairness of someone not showing mercy or forgiveness to others after having received such kindness themselves. It's about expecting others to act one way while you do the opposite.

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