Matthew 18:27 in the King James Version (KJV) reads, "Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt." This verse is part of Jesus' teaching on forgiveness and is found within the larger context of a parable known as the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant.

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant is found in Matthew 18:21-35. In this parable, Jesus tells the story of a king who wants to settle accounts with his servants. As he begins this process, one servant who owes him a large sum of money (10,000 talents, which would have been an inconceivable amount at the time) is brought before him. The servant is unable to repay the debt, so the king orders that the servant, along with his wife and children, be sold to repay the debt. The servant pleads for mercy, and the king, moved with compassion, forgives the servant's entire debt.

However, once this servant is forgiven, he goes out and finds a fellow servant who owes him a much smaller amount (100 denarii, which would have been a more manageable debt). Despite being forgiven such a large debt himself, the servant does not show mercy to his fellow servant and instead has him thrown into prison until the debt is repaid. When the king hears about this, he is outraged and has the unforgiving servant delivered to the jailers to be tortured until he could pay back all he owed.

The overall theme of this parable is forgiveness. It highlights the incredible debt that has been forgiven to us by God, and it challenges us to extend that same forgiveness to others. The parable serves as a warning about the consequences of harboring unforgiveness and refusing to show mercy to others.

Matthew 18:27 specifically focuses on the mercy and compassion of the king. When the king sees the repentant heart of the servant and is moved with compassion, he chooses to release the servant from the burden of the debt and extends forgiveness. This act of mercy is a powerful illustration of God's graciousness and willingness to forgive those who are genuinely repentant.

The symbolism in this verse lies in the character of the king. In the context of the parable, the king represents God, the ultimate judge and ruler. His willingness to forgive the immense debt of the servant represents the boundless mercy and grace of God. It serves as a reminder to us that no matter how great our sins may be, God's compassion and forgiveness are far greater.

The context of Matthew 18:27 also speaks to the human condition. We are all like the unforgiving servant, burdened by our own sin and unable to repay the debt we owe to God. It is only through God's compassion and forgiveness that we are able to be released from this burden and experience true freedom.

Furthermore, this verse emphasizes the importance of forgiveness in our relationships with others. Just as the king forgave the servant, we are called to forgive those who have wronged us. The parable teaches that because we have been forgiven so much by God, we should also extend that forgiveness to others. Failure to do so would be like the unforgiving servant who was shown mercy but refused to show it in return.

In conclusion, Matthew 18:27 is a powerful reminder of the incredible mercy and compassion of God. It challenges us to reflect on the depth of God's forgiveness and the responsibility we have to extend that same forgiveness to others. This verse serves as a call to embrace a lifestyle of mercy and forgiveness, reflecting the character of our merciful God.