Matthew 5:26

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

Context

Matthew 5:26 concludes a specific teaching segment within Jesus' foundational discourse, the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). This verse immediately follows His instruction in Matthew 5:25, which urges swift reconciliation with an adversary before the dispute escalates to legal judgment, imprisonment, and financial penalty. It illustrates the severe consequences of failing to settle conflicts, whether personal or legal, before they reach a point of no return. This teaching underscores the importance of proactive peacemaking and justice, echoing Jesus' broader call for a righteousness that surpasses that of the Scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 5:20).

Key Themes

  • Urgency of Reconciliation: The verse emphasizes the critical need to resolve disputes quickly and proactively, highlighting the detrimental outcomes of delay.
  • Accountability and Justice: It conveys a principle of absolute accountability, where every debt or transgression must be fully paid. The imagery of "prison" and "uttermost farthing" speaks to the inescapability of consequences for unresolved issues.
  • Consequences of Unresolved Conflict: The "prison" represents a state of being bound by one's unaddressed issues, whether literal legal debt, relational strife, or spiritual entanglement. One cannot escape until full satisfaction is made.
  • Divine Principle: While framed in earthly legal terms, this teaching carries profound spiritual implications about the seriousness of sin and the necessity of dealing with it—either through personal repentance and reconciliation or through God's perfect justice.

Linguistic Insights

The term "Verily" at the beginning of the verse is the Greek word amen (ἀμὴν), often translated as "truly," "assuredly," or "so be it." Jesus frequently used this term to introduce a statement of profound truth, lending His words absolute authority and certainty.

The phrase "uttermost farthing" translates the Greek word kodrantes (κοδράντης), which was the smallest Roman coin in circulation, equivalent to about two lepta (mites). This detail powerfully illustrates that even the most minuscule debt or unresolved issue must be completely settled. It signifies that there is no partial payment or easy escape; full restitution is required.

Practical Application

Matthew 5:26 serves as a powerful reminder for believers today:

  1. Prompt Conflict Resolution: We are called to address disagreements and offenses swiftly, both as the offended and the offender. Delaying reconciliation can lead to more severe consequences and protracted suffering.
  2. Personal Responsibility: The verse highlights the importance of taking full responsibility for our actions, debts (financial, relational, or moral), and the need to make amends where we have wronged others.
  3. Understanding God's Justice: While we are saved by grace through faith, this principle underscores the reality of God's justice and that sin carries consequences. It points to the necessity of Christ's perfect atonement for our "uttermost farthing" of sin, so that through Him, we might be truly freed.
  4. Forgiveness and Freedom: By proactively seeking forgiveness and offering it to others, we prevent ourselves from being "imprisoned" by bitterness, guilt, or unresolved conflict, thereby experiencing true freedom in Christ.
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Cross-References

  • Matthew 18:34 (5 votes)

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

  • Luke 12:59 (4 votes)

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

  • James 2:13 (2 votes)

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

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:9 (2 votes)

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

  • Luke 16:26 (1 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.

  • Matthew 25:41 (1 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:

  • Matthew 25:46 (1 votes)

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