Devine Scripture

Matthew 5:25

What does Matthew 5:25 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 5:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 5:25 means

Jesus advises swift and proactive reconciliation in disputes, using the example of a legal adversary. He urges reaching an agreement "quickly, while thou art with him in the way." The consequence of delay is severe: the adversary might hand one over to a judge, who then delivers to an officer, leading to imprisonment. This counsel applies broadly to resolving conflict, emphasizing the urgency of seeking peace before situations escalate and consequences become more severe.

Matthew 5:25 in context

Matthew 5 — The Beatitudes

Jesus opens his Sermon on the Mount with eight pronouncements that turn the world's value system upside down. Blessing belongs not to the proud and self-sufficient but to the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, the hungry for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and the persecuted. In a few sentences he sketches the character of the citizens of the kingdom of heaven, and then calls them salt of the earth and light of the world.

  • Kingdom ethics
  • Inner righteousness
  • True blessedness
  • Light and salt

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Agree with thine adversary quickly, while thou art with him in the way; lest haply the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in 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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Agree with thine adversary quickly, while thou art with him in the way; lest haply the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Come to an agreement quickly with him who has a cause against you at law, while you are with him on the way, for fear that he may give you up to the judge and the judge may give you to the police and you may be put into prison.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`Be agreeing with thy opponent quickly, while thou art in the way with him, that the opponent may not deliver thee to the judge, and the judge may deliver thee to the officer, and to prison thou mayest be cast,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Be at agreement with thy adversary betimes, whilst thou art in the way with him: lest perhaps the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Make friends with thine adverse party quickly, whilst thou art in the way with him; lest some time the adverse party deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

Context

This verse continues the theme of reconciliation and swift resolution of conflict, building on the previous example of an alienated brother (verses 23-24). It broadens the scope to include legal adversaries, emphasizing the wisdom of preventing escalation and serving as a transition to a similar, practical warning in the very next verse.

v.24leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way, first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

v.25This passage

v.26Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou have paid the last farthing.

Cross references

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

  • 2 Corinthians 6:2

    (for he saith, At an acceptable time I hearkened unto thee, And in a day of salvation did I succor thee: behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation):

  • Luke 13:24

    Strive to enter in by the narrow door: for many, I say unto you, shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

  • Luke 14:31

    Or what king, as he goeth to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?

  • Hebrews 3:13

    but exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called To-day; lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin:

  • 1 Kings 22:26

    And the king of Israel said, Take Micaiah, and carry him back unto Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king’s son;

  • Genesis 32:3

    And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the field of Edom.

Sermon ideas from Matthew 5:25

Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.

  • What Matthew 5:25 teaches us about kingdom ethics

  • What Matthew 5:25 teaches us about inner righteousness

  • What Matthew 5:25 teaches us about true blessedness

  • What Matthew 5:25 teaches us about light and salt

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