Matthew 18:25

Verse

Since the man was unable to pay, the master ordered that he be sold to pay his debt, along with his wife and children and everything he owned.

American Standard Version (1901)

But forasmuch as he had not wherewith to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

Bible in Basic English

And because he was not able to make payment, his lord gave orders for him, and his wife, and his sons and daughters, and all he had, to be given for money, and payment to be made.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And as he had not wherewith to pay it, his lord commanded that he should be sold, and his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made.

Free Bible Version

Since he didn't have the money to pay, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all his possessions, so that the debt could be paid back.

Geneva Bible 1599

And because he had nothing to pay, his Lord commanded him to be solde, and his wife, and his children, and all that he had, and the dette to be payed.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

One Unity Resource Bible

But because he couldn’t pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, with his wife, his children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

Translation for Translators

But because he did not have enough money to pay what he owed, the king demanded that he, his wife, his children and all he possessed be sold to someone else, and that the king be repaid with {receive} the money that was paid for them.

Unlocked Literal Bible

But since he had not the means to repay, his master commanded him to be sold, together with his wife and children and everything that he had, and payment to be made.

Noah Webster Bible

But as he had not ability to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

World English Bible

But because he couldn’t pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, with his wife, his children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

Young's Literal Translation

and he having nothing to pay, his lord did command him to be sold, and his wife, and the children, and all, whatever he had, and payment to be made.

Context

The Unforgiving Servant

²⁴As he began the settlements, a debtor was brought to him owing ten thousand talents.²⁵Since the man was unable to pay, the master ordered that he be sold to pay his debt, along with his wife and children and everything he owned.

Summary

In this parable shared by Jesus, a servant owed his master a large sum of money that he could not repay. The master ordered for the servant, his wife, children, and all that he had to be sold to repay the debt. This verse highlights the severity of the consequences of sin and debt, emphasizing the importance of forgiveness and mercy. It serves as a reminder of the grace and compassion that God extends to us, despite our inability to repay our debts of sin. The parable encourages us to show the same forgiveness and mercy to others as we have received from God.

Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

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 Kg2 4:1; Neh 5:8; Lev 25:39).

John Gill Bible Commentary

But the same servant went out,.... From his Lord's palace and presence, immediately, directly, after he had got his pardon and liberty: and found one of his fellow servants; a fellow creature and Christian; not only one of the same nature and species; but of the same profession of religion, and in the service of the same kind and generous master: which owed an hundred pence; which, if understood of Roman pence, each penny being seven pence halfpenny of our money, amounted to no more than three pounds and half-a-crown; a small sum, in comparison of the ten thousand talents which had been just now forgiven him: for so sins committed against men, against fellow creatures, or fellow Christians; are but small, when compared with those which are committed against God. All which circumstances, as that it was immediately after he had been forgiven himself; that it was a fellow servant he found: and the sum he owed him so inconsiderable, greatly aggravate his inhuman carriage, next related: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, pay me that thou owest; he laid hold on him in a violent manner, and used him with great inhumanity: he took him by the collar, and shook him, and griped him so hard about the neck, that he almost throttled, and strangled, or choked him, as the word signifies, and is so rendered in most versions. It answers to the Hebrew word which is used by the Jews (l) in the same sense: he that throttles anyone (who is indebted to him) in the streets, and his friend comes up and says, let him go, and I will pay thee, he is free, &c.'' This man insisted on payment of the whole debt; which expresses the rigour and severity used by some professors of religion to their fellow Christians; who, having offended them, in ever so small a matter, will not put up with the affront, nor forgive the injury, without having the most ample satisfaction, and avenging themselves upon them to the uttermost. (l) Apud Castell. Lexic. Polyglott. col. 1314.

Matthew 18:25

The Unforgiving Servant

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

Since the man was unable to pay, the master ordered that he be sold to pay his debt, along with his wife and children and everything he owned.

American Standard Version (1901)

But forasmuch as he had not wherewith to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

Bible in Basic English

And because he was not able to make payment, his lord gave orders for him, and his wife, and his sons and daughters, and all he had, to be given for money, and payment to be made.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And as he had not wherewith to pay it, his lord commanded that he should be sold, and his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made.

Free Bible Version

Since he didn't have the money to pay, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all his possessions, so that the debt could be paid back.

Geneva Bible 1599

And because he had nothing to pay, his Lord commanded him to be solde, and his wife, and his children, and all that he had, and the dette to be payed.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

One Unity Resource Bible

But because he couldn’t pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, with his wife, his children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

Translation for Translators

Unlocked Literal Bible

But since he had not the means to repay, his master commanded him to be sold, together with his wife and children and everything that he had, and payment to be made.

Noah Webster Bible

But as he had not ability to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

World English Bible

But because he couldn’t pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, with his wife, his children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

Young's Literal Translation

and he having nothing to pay, his lord did command him to be sold, and his wife, and the children, and all, whatever he had, and payment to be made.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

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 Kg2 4:1; Neh 5:8; Lev 25:39).

John Gill Bible Commentary