Fell down means to fall face downward to the ground (see verse 26). It is obvious that the falling is intentional, and so one must guard against a verb which implies tripping or unintentional falling. Although the word is not the same as that used in verse 26, the meaning is close enough that translators can use a similar expression; for example, “knelt down to beg him.” The urgency of the fellow servant’s plea is conveyed by Barclay with “threw himself at his feet.”

Have patience translates the same verb used in verse 26. Jerusalem Bible translates “Give me time.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .