But if you do not forgive people their offenses, your Father will not forgive your offenses.
This saying is a continuation of the previous passage and emphasizes the importance of forgiveness. Jesus warns here that if we do not forgive those who have sinned against us, then God will not forgive our sins either. In this saying it is stressed that forgiveness is not only a duty, but also a prerequisite for receiving God’s forgiveness. God requires us to show the same kind of forgiveness toward those around us as He shows mercy to us. Here it is clearly shown that our relationship with God is directly connected to our relationships with people.