Dixit autem Dominus

These words from the Gospel of Matthew paint a scene of a master forgiving a servant's enormous debt. The servant, in turn, refuses to forgive a fellow servant a far smaller sum, prompting the master's righteous anger. Jacquet de Mantua sets this parable in a rich five-part Latin motet for STTTB voices. The composer’s setting emphasizes the dramatic narrative, moving from the initial pronouncement of forgiveness to the harsh judgment that follows the servant’s lack of mercy. The concluding Alleluia offers a moment of affirmation, contrasting with the preceding human failing. It is a powerful sacred work from the Renaissance, exploring themes of divine grace and human responsibility.