Matthew 5:26

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

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 there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way. First be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

25 "Agree with thine adversary quickly while thou art on the way with him, lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

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

27 "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old, `Thou shalt not commit adultery.'

28 But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.