Matthew 6:15

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 6:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 6:15 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But if you forgive not men their trespasses, etc.] On the other hand, where men are not of a forgiving temper to their fellow creatures and fellow Christians, how can they expect forgiveness at the hands of God? or what sense of pardoning grace can there be upon their minds? Had they any right apprehensions of the grace and goodness of God, in the forgiveness of their sins, this would influence their minds, and engage their hearts to forgive such who have offended them: wherefore, where this is wanting, it may be concluded of, and said to such persons, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. It is a plain case, that your Father has not given you a true sense of the pardon of your…”
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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
“But if ye forgive not, &c.--See on Mat 6:12. Fasting (Mat 6:16-18). Having concluded His supplementary directions on the subject of prayer with this Divine Pattern, our Lord now returns to the subject of Unostentatiousness in our deeds of righteousness, in order to give one more illustration of it, in the matter of fasting.”
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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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Related study paths

Sources and verification