Devine Scripture

Matthew 5:26

What does Matthew 5:26 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 5:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 5:26 means

Jesus underscores the severity of delaying reconciliation, concluding the legal illustration from verse 25 with a solemn warning. He states that once imprisoned due to an unresolved dispute, one will not be released until the very last Roman copper coin ("farthing," the smallest Roman coin) of the debt is paid. This teaches a timeless principle: refusing to resolve conflicts quickly can lead to far greater and more costly consequences, both literally and spiritually.

Matthew 5:26 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

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

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

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

verily I say to thee, thou mayest not come forth thence till that thou mayest pay the last farthing.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Amen I say to thee, thou shalt not go out from thence till thou repay the last farthing.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Verily I say to thee, Thou shalt in no wise come out thence till thou hast paid the last farthing.

Context

This verse provides the stark conclusion to the illustration of dealing with an adversary, begun in verse 25. It emphasizes the dire financial and social consequences of refusing quick reconciliation, serving as a powerful warning that reinforces the importance of the preceding ethical teachings, and transitions to Jesus' next reinterpretation of the Law regarding adultery.

v.25Agree 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.

v.26This passage

v.27Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 18:34

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

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:9

    who shall suffer punishment, even eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might,

  • James 2:13

    For judgment is without mercy to him that hath showed no mercy: mercy glorieth against judgment.

  • 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.

  • Luke 12:59

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

  • Matthew 25:46

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

Sermon ideas from Matthew 5:26

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

  • What Matthew 5:26 teaches us about kingdom ethics

  • What Matthew 5:26 teaches us about inner righteousness

  • What Matthew 5:26 teaches us about true blessedness

  • What Matthew 5:26 teaches us about light and salt

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