Devine Scripture

Luke 12:59

What does Luke 12:59 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 12:59 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 12:59 means

Jesus concludes that one will not get out of prison until paying the very last mite. The image communicates total accountability and the inescapability of judgment once it falls. There is no bargaining after the verdict. The wise course is to seek terms of peace while on the way. The saying urges timely repentance and reconciliation, trusting God’s mercy now rather than presuming upon it later. It leaves hearers with a sober sense of urgency: today is the time to act, before the door of opportunity closes.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

I say to you, You will not come out of it till you have made payment to the very last farthing.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

I say to thee, thou mayest not come forth thence till even the last mite thou mayest give back.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

I say to thee, thou shalt not go out thence until thou pay the very last mite.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

I say unto thee, Thou shalt in no wise come out thence until thou hast paid the very last mite.

Context

This final word seals the chapter’s theme of watchfulness and urgency. From hypocrisy exposed, to fear of God, to covetousness warned, to anxiety relieved, to readiness for the Lord’s return, and finally to discerning the time—it all converges here: respond now. Luke 12 ends pressing upon the conscience the seriousness of God’s kingdom and the need to be reconciled and faithfully prepared before the inevitable day arrives.

v.58For as thou art going with thine adversary before the magistrate, on the way give diligence to be quit of him; lest haply he drag thee unto the judge, and the judge shall deliver thee to the officer, and the officer shall cast thee into prison.

v.59This passage

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 25:41

    Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels:

  • Matthew 25:46

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

  • Mark 12:42

    And there came a poor widow, and she cast in two mites, which make a farthing.

  • Luke 16:26

    And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that they that would pass from hence to you may not be able, and that none may cross over from thence to us.

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:3

    We are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren, even as it is meet, for that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the love of each one of you all toward one another aboundeth;

  • Matthew 18:34

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

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