Matthew 5:26

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

Matthew 5:26 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 5:26

Verily, I say unto thee
This may be depended upon, you may assure yourself of it, that

thou shalt by no means come out thence,
from prison,

till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing,
or "last farthing"; or as the Ethiopic version reads it, "till thou hast exactly paid all"; which seems to express the inexorableness of the creditor, and the impossibility of the debtor's release.

Matthew 5:26 In-Context

24 leave your gift where it is by the altar, and go, make peace with your brother. Then come back and offer your gift.
25 If someone sues you, come to terms with him quickly, while you and he are on the way to court; or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer of the court, and you may be thrown in jail!
26 Yes indeed! I tell you, you will certainly not get out until you have paid the last penny.
27 "You have heard that our fathers were told, `Do not commit adultery.'m
28 But I tell you that a man who even looks at a woman with the purpose of lusting after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.