Devine Scripture

Matthew 18:25

What does Matthew 18:25 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 18:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 18:25 means

Because the servant had no means to repay his unfathomable debt, the king, according to the legal customs of that day, commanded that he, along with his wife, children, and all his possessions, be sold to cover the payment. This harsh yet legal decree underscores the absolute impossibility of the servant ever satisfying the debt himself and the totality of the consequences for such an immense failure. It highlights the devastating ripple effects of sin and the complete helplessness of humanity when faced with God's righteous demands.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

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.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But he not having anything to pay, [his] lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and his children, and everything that he had, and that payment should be made.

Context

This verse continues the narrative of the first servant's plight, detailing the king's severe but legal response to the insurmountable debt revealed in verse 24. This desperate situation naturally leads to the servant's plea for mercy in verse 26, setting the stage for the king's extraordinary act of compassion that follows, which is central to the parable's lesson about God's forgiveness.

v.24And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, that owed him ten thousand talents.

v.25This passage

v.26The servant therefore fell down and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

Cross references

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

  • Isaiah 50:1

    Thus saith Jehovah, Where is the bill of your mother’s divorcement, wherewith I have put her away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities were ye sold, and for your transgressions was your mother put away.

  • Nehemiah 5:5

    Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought into bondage already: neither is it in our power to help it; for other men have our fields and our vineyards.

  • Leviticus 25:39

    And if thy brother be waxed poor with thee, and sell himself unto thee; thou shalt not make him to serve as a bondservant.

  • Exodus 21:2

    If thou buy a Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing.

  • Luke 7:42

    When they had not wherewith to pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?

  • Nehemiah 5:8

    And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, that were sold unto the nations; and would ye even sell your brethren, and should they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found never a word.

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