Matthew 18:33 (DBY)

Passage

shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow-bondman, as *I* also had compassion on thee?

Nearby Context

Matthew 18:31 But his fellow-bondmen, having seen what had taken place, were greatly grieved, and went and recounted to their lord all that had taken place.

Matthew 18:32 Then his lord, having called him to [him], says to him, Wicked bondman! I forgave thee all that debt because thou besoughtest me;

Matthew 18:33 shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow-bondman, as *I* also had compassion on thee?

Matthew 18:34 And his lord being angry delivered him to the tormentors till he paid all that was owing to him.

Matthew 18:35 Thus also my heavenly Father shall do to you if ye forgive not from your hearts every one his brother.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "shouldest", "thou", "compassion", "fellow-bondman", and "thee". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "shouldest" and "thou", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 32's "Then his lord having called him to..." into verse 34's "And his lord being angry delivered him...", so "shouldest" and "thou" belong inside that flow. In Matthew context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "shouldest" and "thou" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.