Matthew 18:25

Matthew 18:25 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
• New International Version (NIV)Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made.
• New King James Version (NKJV)But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made.

Context of Matthew 18:25

23“For this reason, the kingdom of heaven can be compared to a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24When he began to settle accounts, one who owed ten thousand talents was brought before him. Since he did not have the money to pay it back, his master commanded that he, his wife, his children, and everything he had be sold to pay the debt. 26“At this, the servant fell facedown before him and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27Then the master of that servant had compassion, released him, and forgave him the loan.

Matthew 18:25 word by word

μὴ ἔχοντος δὲ αὐτοῦ ἀποδοῦναι ἐκέλευσεν αὐτὸν ὁ κύριος πραθῆναι καὶ τὴν γυναῖκα καὶ τὰ τέκνα καὶ πάντα ὅσα ἔχει καὶ ἀποδοθῆναι.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• But forasmuch asδέde · thenG1161
• heαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• hadἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• notμήmē · notG3361
• to payἀποδίδωμιapodidōmi · to payG591
• lordὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• lordκύριοςkurios · lord: masterG2962
• commandedκελεύωkeleuō · to orderG2753
• to be soldπιπράσκωpipraskō praō · to sellG4097
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• wifeγυνήgunē · woman: wifeG1135
• childrenτέκνονteknon · childG5043
• allπᾶςpas · allG3956
• thatὅσοςhosos · just as/how muchG3745

Cross-references for Matthew 18:25

• Leviticus 25:39“If your brother among you becomes destitute and sells himself to you, you must not force him to do slave labor.
• 2 Kings 4:1One of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, has died. You know that your servant feared the Lord. Now the creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves.”
• Nehemiah 5:5We and our children are just like our countrymen and their children, yet we are subjecting our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters are already enslaved, but we are powerless because our fields and vineyards belong to others.”
• Isaiah 50:1This is what the Lord says: Where is your mother’s divorce certificate that I used to send her away? Or to which of my creditors did I sell you? Look, you were sold for your iniquities, and your mother was sent away because of your transgressions.

Commentaries on Matthew 18:25

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 25He had not to pay - That is not being able to pay. As there could not be the smallest probability that a servant, wholly dependent on his master, who was now absolutely insolvent, could ever pay a debt he had contracted of more than 67 millions! - so is it impossible for a sinner, infinitely indebted to Divine justice, ever to pay a mite out of the talent. Commanded him to be sold - his wife - children, etc. - Our Lord here alludes to an ancient custom…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 25His lord commanded him to be sold … - By the laws of the Hebrews they were permitted to sell debtors, with their wives and children, into servitude for a time sufficient to pay a debt. See 2 Kings 4:1; Leviticus 25:39-46; Amos 8:6.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 21-35Verses 21-35 Though we live wholly on mercy and forgiveness, we are backward to forgive the offences of our brethren. This parable shows how much provocation God has from his family on earth, and how untoward his servants are. There are three things in the parable: 1. The master's wonderful clemency. The debt of sin is so great, that we are not able to pay it. See here what every sin deserves; this is the wages of sin, to be sold as a slave. It is the…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 21-35Peter thought forgiving seven times was generous, but Jesus surprised him. A disciple should graciously forgive like God does, without limits and freely (see Matthew 18:10–14). If someone does not forgive in this way, it shows they have not experienced God's forgiveness for themselves (18:35; see 6:12).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2525. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made--(See 2Ki 4:1; Ne 5:8; Le 25:39).Read the comment

Topics related to Matthew 18:25

• Charitableness
• Children
• Creditor
• Debtor
• Forgiveness
• God Continued...
• Jesus Continued
• Jesus, the Christ
• Kingdom of Heaven
• Servant
• Sin
• Women

In the dictionaries

• Debtor
• Everlasting
• Gain
• Owe
• Patience
• Debt; Debtor
• Forgiveness
• Intercession
• Jesus Christ
• Matthew, the Gospel of

Commentaries on Matthew 18

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings