Matthew 18:23 - 27

23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.

24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.

25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made.

26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’

27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.

Parables are used to help Jesus' followers understand the message of the Gospel. This message is about the subject of forgiving a brother for wrongs he may have committed against another brother. In this instance Jesus is speaking to His disciples and not the multitudes.

The individual owed the king what would amount to $19 billion USD in today's currency. This was a large amount of money owed to the king. Not an amount which would be easily forgiven.

According to ancient laws a debtor and his family could be sold into slavery by his creditor to recover the debt. The king threatened to use that law to recover his loss.

The servant fell down and begged for an opportunity to raise the funds to pay off his debt.

The king felt compassion for the man given his impassioned plea for time to pay off the debt. He felt so much compassion for the man that he forgave the entire debt because it was so large.