Matthew 5:26

KJV

Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

KJV (with Strong's)

Verily {G281} I say {G3004} unto thee {G4671}, Thou shalt {G1831} by no means {G3364} come {G1831} out thence {G1564}, till {G2193}{G302} thou hast paid {G591} the uttermost {G2078} farthing {G2835}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yes indeed! I tell you, you will certainly not get out until you have paid the last penny.

Berean Standard Bible

Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

American Standard Version

Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou have paid the last farthing.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 5:26, concluding a segment on reconciliation within the Sermon on the Mount, underscores the inescapable and comprehensive nature of divine justice, illustrating it through the earthly metaphor of a debtor unable to escape prison until the very last, smallest coin of his debt is paid. This verse serves as a stark warning about the severe consequences of unresolved conflict and unaddressed sin, emphasizing the imperative for swift reconciliation and full accountability, whether in human relationships or before God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the culmination of Jesus' teaching on anger and reconciliation, beginning in [Matthew 5:21-22](/matthew/5-21-22 "Matthew 5:21-22 - Teaching on Anger and Murder"). Jesus expands the traditional understanding of the Sixth Commandment, declaring that anger and insults can be as culpable as murder in God's eyes. He then immediately transitions into a call for proactive reconciliation, urging His disciples to settle disputes quickly, even before approaching the altar with an offering ([Matthew 5:23-24](/matthew/5-23-24 "Matthew 5:23-24 - Reconciliation Before Worship")). [Matthew 5:25](/matthew/5-25 "Matthew 5:25 - Settle with your Adversary") presents a parable-like scenario of an adversary leading one to court, judge, and officer, culminating in imprisonment. Verse 26 then delivers the sobering conclusion: release from this "prison" is impossible until the entire debt, down to the "uttermost farthing," is fully satisfied. This sequence highlights the urgency and severity of addressing relational and spiritual debts.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery Jesus uses would have been immediately understandable to His audience, who lived under Roman law and societal structures. The "adversary," "judge," "officer," and "prison" refer to the common legal process of the time. While Roman law did not typically have "debtor's prisons" in the modern sense, a person unable to pay a debt could be held in custody until restitution was made, or even sold into temporary servitude to work off the debt. The "farthing" (Greek: _kodrántēs_, Latin: _quadrans_) was the smallest Roman coin, worth about 1/64 of a denarius (a day's wage for a laborer). This detail emphasizes the totality of the debt and the meticulous nature of the required payment. Jesus' teaching here draws on the everyday realities of legal and financial accountability to convey a profound spiritual truth.
* **Key Themes:** [Matthew 5:26](/matthew/5-26 "Matthew 5:26 - The Uttermost Farthing") contributes to several overarching themes in the Sermon on the Mount and the broader Gospel of Matthew. Firstly, it powerfully reinforces the **urgency of reconciliation** and proactive peacemaking, a theme introduced in [Matthew 5:23-24](/matthew/5-23-24 "Matthew 5:23-24 - Reconciliation Before Worship"). Secondly, it highlights the theme of **divine accountability and justice**, suggesting that God's standards are absolute and that every transgression, no matter how small, has consequences if not addressed. This aligns with Jesus' call for a "righteousness that surpasses that of the Scribes and Pharisees" ([Matthew 5:20](/matthew/5-20 "Matthew 5:20 - Righteousness Exceeding the Scribes and Pharisees")), implying a deeper, heart-level adherence to God's will. Finally, it underscores the **inescapability of consequences for unaddressed sin**, portraying a state of being "bound" until full satisfaction is made, a concept that finds its ultimate spiritual resolution in Christ's atoning work.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Verily (Greek, _amḗn_):** From Hebrew origin, meaning "firm" or "trustworthy." Jesus' use of "Verily" (or "Amen") at the beginning of a statement is a unique and powerful rhetorical device. It signifies that what follows is an absolute, authoritative, and undeniable truth, emphasizing the certainty and solemnity of His pronouncement. It demands the listener's full attention and belief.
* **paid (Greek, _apodídōmi_):** This verb means "to give away," "to give back," "to repay," or "to render." In the context of debt, it signifies full and complete restitution or payment. The active voice implies that the individual is responsible for making this payment. The word emphasizes the necessity of satisfying the obligation entirely, leaving no part unpaid.
* **farthing (Greek, _kodrántēs_):** A Roman coin, the smallest in circulation, equivalent to one-quarter of an _as_ (a slightly larger copper coin). Its minute value underscores the meticulousness of the required payment. It means that even the most insignificant or seemingly negligible part of the debt must be settled. This detail intensifies the teaching, indicating that no detail of accountability will be overlooked.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Verily I say unto thee,"**: This opening phrase, characteristic of Jesus' teaching, signals a solemn and authoritative declaration. It emphasizes the absolute truth and certainty of the statement that follows, demanding the listener's full attention and belief in its profound implications.
* **"Thou shalt by no means come out thence,"**: This clause presents a stark and unequivocal consequence. The phrase "by no means" (Greek: _ou mḗ_) is a double negative, forming the strongest possible denial in Greek, meaning "never," "not at all," or "in no wise." "Thence" (Greek: _ekeîthen_) refers back to the "prison" or place of confinement mentioned in the preceding verse. This emphasizes the absolute impossibility of escape or release until the specified condition is met.
* **"till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing."**: This concluding clause specifies the condition for release: complete and total payment of the debt. "Uttermost" (Greek: _éschatos_) signifies the very last, the final, or the lowest. Combined with "farthing" (Greek: _kodrántēs_), the smallest coin, it powerfully illustrates that not even the most minuscule part of the debt can remain unpaid. Full, meticulous, and exhaustive satisfaction is required for liberation.

#### Literary Devices
Jesus employs several potent literary devices in [Matthew 5:26](/matthew/5-26 "Matthew 5:26 - The Uttermost Farthing") to convey His message. The primary device is **Metaphor**, where the earthly legal scenario of an adversary, judge, prison, and financial debt serves as a powerful analogy for spiritual accountability and the consequences of unaddressed sin. The "prison" is a **Symbol** of being bound by one's transgressions or unresolved conflicts, whether literal or spiritual. The "uttermost farthing" is a specific form of **Hyperbole**, using an extreme, almost impossibly small unit of currency to emphasize the absolute and meticulous nature of the required payment or restitution. It signifies that every single detail of accountability, no matter how minor, must be satisfied. This vivid imagery creates a memorable and impactful warning, driving home the urgency of reconciliation and the seriousness of divine justice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 5:26, while framed in earthly legal terms, carries profound theological weight, speaking to the absolute nature of God's justice and the seriousness of sin. It underscores the principle that all debts, whether relational or spiritual, must ultimately be settled. This verse highlights the inescapable consequences of unaddressed sin and unrepentant hearts, implying that divine judgment is meticulous and comprehensive, leaving no "farthing" unpaid. It serves as a powerful motivator for believers to pursue reconciliation diligently and to take sin seriously, recognizing that God's standards are perfect and His justice will prevail.

* [Luke 12:58-59](/luke/12-58-59 "Luke 12:58-59 - Settle with your Adversary")
* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")
* [Hebrews 9:27](/hebrews/9-27 "Hebrews 9:27 - Appointed to Die Once")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 5:26 challenges us to examine our lives with profound seriousness, particularly concerning our relationships and our standing before God. It compels us to act with urgency in resolving conflicts, seeking reconciliation, and making amends where we have caused harm, rather than allowing bitterness, unforgiveness, or unaddressed sin to fester. The imagery of being imprisoned until the "uttermost farthing" is paid serves as a sobering reminder that ignoring our spiritual or relational debts leads to a state of bondage, preventing us from experiencing true freedom and peace. This verse calls us to a radical proactive righteousness, to deal with issues head-on, for the sake of our spiritual well-being and the health of our relationships. It is an invitation to live with integrity, accountability, and a deep reverence for the justice of God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "farthing" (small, unaddressed issue or debt) might I be holding onto in my relationships or before God?**
* **In what areas of my life am I delaying reconciliation or accountability, and what "prison" might I be creating for myself as a result?**
* **How does the absolute nature of God's justice, as implied in this verse, deepen my appreciation for the grace and forgiveness offered through Christ?**

### FAQ

**Does Matthew 5:26 teach that salvation is earned by works or by paying for our sins?**

Answer: No, Matthew 5:26 does not teach that salvation is earned by works or by paying for our sins. Instead, it uses a legal and financial metaphor to illustrate the absolute nature of God's justice and the inescapable consequences of unaddressed sin. The "prison" and "uttermost farthing" imagery highlights that, from a human perspective, complete satisfaction for sin is impossible. This verse, therefore, points to the profound need for a divine solution. The New Testament consistently teaches that salvation is a free gift of God's grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ, not by human effort or payment ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")). Jesus' teaching here underscores the severity of our spiritual debt, which we could never pay, thereby setting the stage for understanding the necessity and sufficiency of His atoning sacrifice.

**Is the "prison" in Matthew 5:26 a reference to hell?**

Answer: While the immediate context of [Matthew 5:25-26](/matthew/5-25-26 "Matthew 5:25-26 - Settle with your Adversary") uses earthly legal imagery to describe the consequences of unresolved disputes, many commentators see a deeper spiritual application. The "prison" can be interpreted as a metaphor for any state of bondage or judgment resulting from unaddressed sin or unrighteousness, whether in this life (e.g., spiritual bondage, guilt, relational brokenness) or in the afterlife (e.g., divine judgment, hell). The phrase "till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing" emphasizes the finality and completeness of the judgment, which for unrepentant sin, points to an eternal consequence that no human can ever "pay off." This aligns with other warnings from Jesus about the seriousness of judgment ([Matthew 10:28](/matthew/10-28 "Matthew 10:28 - Fear God Who Can Destroy Both Soul and Body in Hell")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 5:26, with its stark imagery of inescapable debt and meticulous payment, powerfully sets the stage for understanding the profound necessity and sufficiency of Christ's atoning work. Humanity, in its fallen state, stands before God with an insurmountable spiritual debt, an "uttermost farthing" of sin that we could never hope to pay. The "prison" of sin and divine judgment is a reality from which no human effort can secure release. It is precisely into this impossible situation that Jesus steps as the only one capable of rendering full satisfaction. Through His perfect life, sacrificial death on the cross, and glorious resurrection, Jesus Christ "paid" the uttermost farthing of our sin debt, once and for all ([Colossians 2:13-14](/colossians/2-13-14 "Colossians 2:13-14 - Forgiveness and the Cancellation of Debt")). He became our substitute, bearing the full weight of God's righteous judgment against sin, so that all who believe in Him might be released from the "prison" of condemnation and reconciled to God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Thus, this verse, far from suggesting we can earn our salvation, illuminates the depth of our need and magnifies the immeasurable grace of God found in the complete and perfect payment made by the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 18:34

And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

Luke 12:59

I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite.

James 2:13

For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

2 Thessalonians 1:9

Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

Luke 16:26

And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that [would come] from thence.

Matthew 25:41

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

Matthew 25:46

And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.