When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, [as thou art] in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.
When {G5613}{G1063} thou goest {G5217} with {G3326} thine {G4675} adversary {G476} to {G1909} the magistrate {G758}, as thou art in {G1722} the way {G3598}, give {G1325} diligence {G2039} that thou mayest be delivered {G525} from {G575} him {G846}; lest {G3379} he hale {G2694} thee {G4571} to {G4314} the judge {G2923}, and {G2532} the judge {G2923} deliver {G3860} thee {G4571} to the officer {G4233}, and {G2532} the officer {G4233} cast {G906} thee {G4571} into {G1519} prison {G5438}.
If someone brings a lawsuit against you, take pains to settle with him first; otherwise he will take the matter to court, and the judge will turn you over to the bailiff, and the bailiff will throw you in jail.
Make every effort to reconcile with your adversary while you are on your way to the magistrate. Otherwise, he may drag you off to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and the officer may throw you into prison.
For as thou art going with thine adversary before the magistrate, on the way give diligence to be quit of him; lest haply he drag thee unto the judge, and the judge shall deliver thee to the officer, and the officer shall cast thee into prison.
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Matthew 5:23
Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; -
Matthew 5:26
Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. -
Proverbs 25:8
¶ Go not forth hastily to strive, lest [thou know not] what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame. -
Proverbs 25:9
Debate thy cause with thy neighbour [himself]; and discover not a secret to another: -
Matthew 18:30
And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. -
Luke 13:24
Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. -
Luke 13:28
There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you [yourselves] thrust out.
In Luke 12:58, Jesus uses a parable drawn from common legal practices of His day to impress upon His listeners the urgency of making peace and settling accounts, both literally and spiritually. This verse is part of a broader discourse where Jesus challenges His audience to discern the signs of the times and act wisely before it is too late.
Context
This verse immediately follows Jesus' question, "Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?" (Luke 12:57). He is urging His hearers to exercise spiritual discernment and practical wisdom. The scenario presented—of an individual going with an adversary to a magistrate—was a familiar one in first-century Jewish society, where legal disputes could quickly escalate and lead to severe consequences, including imprisonment. Jesus uses this common experience to illustrate a more profound spiritual truth about settling one's spiritual "accounts" with God and others, emphasizing proactive reconciliation over reactive defense.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The term "adversary" is from the Greek word antidikos (ἀντίδικος), which literally means "one who speaks against" or an opponent in a lawsuit. It can refer to a legal accuser. The phrase "give diligence" translates to dos ergasian (δὸς ἐργασίαν), meaning "give labor" or "exert effort," emphasizing the need for active and earnest effort to resolve the situation. The "officer" (πράκτωρ - praktor) was often a public servant responsible for executing judgments, collecting fines, or acting as a jailer, highlighting the finality and severity of the legal process in that cultural context.
Practical Application
This parable serves as a powerful reminder for believers today to address conflicts and seek reconciliation proactively. It teaches the wisdom of settling disputes quickly, whether they are personal disagreements, outstanding debts, or spiritual matters. Rather than allowing bitterness or sin to fester, which can lead to escalating negative consequences, we are urged to take the initiative to make things right. Spiritually, it underscores the importance of repentance and seeking God's forgiveness, acknowledging that prompt reconciliation with Him is crucial before facing the divine judge. This principle of seeking peace and pursuing righteousness is central to the Christian walk, as seen in passages like Romans 12:18 which encourages living peaceably with all people.