Jesus’ concluding words should be understood in the context of the sermon as a whole. Throughout his sermon he has been making use of rhetorical overstatement for the purpose of emphasis and memorization. He does the same here in Matthew 6:14–15. If God’s forgiveness were based on our forgiveness of others, then no one would be forgiven, since no sinful human being perfectly forgives others. Christ alone is without sin. Given this reality, we should understand Jesus’ words to be an emphasis on the pursuit of forgiveness. Kingdom citizens should make it their aim to forgive those who do them wrong. They must not be bitter people who keep grudges.1 If God had not forgiven believers in Christ, there would be no praying and as such believers must respond to this forgiveness by forgiving others.2
14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,