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Matthew 6:14

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 6:14 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Matthew 6:14 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11Give us this day our daily bread.
12And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13And bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil [one.]
14For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
15But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
16Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen of men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward.
17But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face;
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, etc.] Christ here refers to the petition in (<400612>Matthew 6:12) which is enforced with this reason and argument, “as”, or “for”, so (<421104>Luke 11:4) “we forgive our debtors”; which he repeats and explains: and the reason why he singles out this particularly is, because he knew the Jews were a people very subject to revenge; and were very hardly brought to forgive any injuries done them: wherefore Christ presses it upon them closely to “forgive men their trespasses”; all sorts of injuries done them, or offences given them, whether by word or deed; and that fully, freely, from the heart; forgetting, as well as forgiving; not upbraiding them with…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For if ye forgive men, &c.--See on Mat 6:12.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses - If ye forgive others when they offend or injure you. 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. If he does not ask forgiveness, yet we are still to treat him kindly; not to harbor malice, not to speak ill of him, to be ready to do him good, and be always prepared to declare him forgiven when he asks it, and if we are…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Mar 11:25. Matthew 6:16”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Mat 6:12, Mat 7:2, Mat 18:21-35; Pro 21:13; Mar 11:25, Mar 11:26; Eph 4:32; Col 3:13; Jam 2:13; Jo1 3:10 Matthew 6:16”
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Related study paths

Read Matthew 6 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification