Forgiving A Brother

Q. In Matthew 18:22 when Jesus said to forgive (Seventy times Seven) do you think he might of had a dual meaning for using this number?  Since 70 x 7 is 490, the exact time that Israel would have to complete their transgression.

A. Peter had asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me?  Up to seven times?” (Matt. 18:21)  I think Peter thought he was being quite generous in suggesting that he forgive someone one seven times. When the Lord responded, “Not seven times but seventy times seven times”,  He was saying in effect, “Peter you’re not even close.”  I don’t believe there’s any special significance to the number, and maybe it wasn’t even intend to be specific.  I think the Lord could just as easily have said, “So many times you’ll lose track.”