Luke 12:59

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

I tell {G3004} thee {G4671}, thou shalt {G1831} not {G3364} depart {G1831} thence {G1564},{G2532} till {G2193}{G3739} thou hast paid {G591} the very last {G2078} mite {G3016}.

I tell you, you won’t get out of there till you have paid the last penny!”

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

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

Commentary

Context

Luke 12:59 concludes a section of Jesus' teaching that emphasizes spiritual discernment, readiness, and the urgency of settling accounts. Preceding this verse, in Luke 12:57-58, Jesus questions why people don't judge for themselves what is right and advises them to make peace with an "adversary" quickly on the way to court. This scenario draws from common legal practices of the time, where disputes could be resolved before reaching a judge, thus avoiding stricter penalties. The "adversary" can be understood both literally as a legal opponent and metaphorically as anything that stands against one's spiritual well-being or relationship with God.

Key Themes

  • Urgency of Reconciliation and Repentance: The primary message is the critical need to address spiritual and moral debts without delay. Just as one should settle a legal dispute before facing a judge, so too should individuals reconcile with God and others before the final judgment.
  • Divine Accountability: The "judge" implicitly represents God, who will ultimately hold everyone accountable for their actions and omissions. This highlights the seriousness of divine judgment and the inevitability of facing consequences if issues are not resolved in this life.
  • Complete Payment: The phrase "the very last mite" (Greek: lepton) refers to the smallest Jewish coin, emphasizing that every single aspect of one's debt, no matter how insignificant it seems, must be fully paid. This underscores the thoroughness of divine justice and the impossibility of escaping any part of one's spiritual obligation through self-effort.
  • Consequences of Delay: Jesus warns that failure to settle accounts promptly will lead to incarceration until every last detail is satisfied, implying a harsh and inescapable outcome for those who neglect the opportunity for reconciliation. This resonates with similar warnings about spiritual preparedness found elsewhere in the Gospels, such as the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25.

Linguistic Insights

The term "mite" in the KJV translates the Greek word lepton (λεπτόν), which was the smallest copper coin in circulation during Jesus' time, equivalent to about half a quadrans (the smallest Roman coin). Its mention here emphasizes the complete and meticulous nature of the required payment. The phrase "paid the very last mite" signifies that every minute detail, every small offense or neglected duty, must be accounted for. The concept of "paying" (Greek: apodidōmi) implies rendering what is due, highlighting the principle of justice and restitution.

Practical Application

Luke 12:59 serves as a sober reminder to take our spiritual lives seriously and to act decisively. It prompts us to consider:

  • Self-Examination: What "debts" or unresolved issues do we have, either with God through unconfessed sin, or with others through unforgiveness or unaddressed wrongs?
  • Urgency of Repentance: The teaching encourages immediate repentance and seeking forgiveness. We are given an opportunity to "settle" our accounts now, while there is time, rather than facing the full rigor of judgment later. This aligns with the call to repent and turn to God in Acts 3:19.
  • Reliance on Christ: For believers, this verse underscores the profound significance of Christ's atoning work. We cannot pay "the very last mite" of our sin debt ourselves. It is through faith in Jesus Christ that our debt is paid in full, allowing us to be reconciled to God and escape the ultimate judgment (Romans 3:23-24). This verse, therefore, implicitly points to our need for a Savior who has paid the ultimate price.
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Cross-References

  • Mark 12:42 (5 votes)

    And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.

  • Matthew 18:34 (3 votes)

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

  • Matthew 25:46 (2 votes)

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

  • Matthew 25:41 (2 votes)

    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:

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:3 (2 votes)

    We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

  • Luke 16:26 (2 votes)

    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.