Luke 12:58
When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.
Original Language Analysis
ὡς
When
G5613
ὡς
When
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
1 of 37
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
γὰρ
G1063
γὰρ
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 37
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ὑπάγεις
thou goest
G5217
ὑπάγεις
thou goest
Strong's:
G5217
Word #:
3 of 37
to lead (oneself) under, i.e., withdraw or retire (as if sinking out of sight), literally or figuratively
μετὰ
with
G3326
μετὰ
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
4 of 37
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀντιδίκου
adversary
G476
ἀντιδίκου
adversary
Strong's:
G476
Word #:
6 of 37
an opponent (in a lawsuit); specially, satan (as the arch-enemy)
ἐπ'
to
G1909
ἐπ'
to
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
8 of 37
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὁδῷ
the way
G3598
ὁδῷ
the way
Strong's:
G3598
Word #:
12 of 37
a road; by implication, a progress (the route, act or distance); figuratively, a mode or means
δὸς
give
G1325
δὸς
give
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
13 of 37
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
ἀπηλλάχθαι
that thou mayest be delivered
G525
ἀπηλλάχθαι
that thou mayest be delivered
Strong's:
G525
Word #:
15 of 37
to change away, i.e., release, (reflexively) remove
ἀπ'
from
G575
ἀπ'
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
16 of 37
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
17 of 37
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
πρὸς
to
G4314
πρὸς
to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
21 of 37
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
24 of 37
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
25 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
29 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πράκτωρ
the officer
G4233
πράκτωρ
the officer
Strong's:
G4233
Word #:
30 of 37
a practiser, i.e., (specially), an official collector
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
31 of 37
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
32 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πράκτωρ
the officer
G4233
πράκτωρ
the officer
Strong's:
G4233
Word #:
33 of 37
a practiser, i.e., (specially), an official collector
βάλλῃ
cast
G906
βάλλῃ
cast
Strong's:
G906
Word #:
35 of 37
to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense)
Historical Context
Roman legal procedure involved preliminary hearings before magistrates who could facilitate settlements. Failing to settle led to formal trial before judges, conviction resulting in imprisonment until debts were paid. Jesus's audience would recognize this process. The parable urges settling accounts before reaching point of no return—eternal judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- What unresolved 'accounts' with God are you delaying to settle—sins unconfessed, relationships unreconciled, obedience deferred?
- How does the urgency of 'while on the way' challenge procrastination in spiritual matters?
- In what ways are you ignoring opportunities for reconciliation that may not remain available indefinitely?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison (Ὡς γὰρ ὑπάγεις μετὰ τοῦ ἀντιδίκου σου ἐπ' ἄρχοντα, ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ δὸς ἐργασίαν ἀπηλλάχθαι ἀπ' αὐτοῦ, μήποτε κατασύρῃ σε πρὸς τὸν κριτήν, καὶ ὁ κριτής σε παραδώσει τῷ πράκτορι, καὶ ὁ πράκτωρ σε βαλεῖ εἰς φυλακήν)—Jesus uses legal parable. The antidikos (adversary, opponent in lawsuit) is taking you to the archōn (magistrate, ruler). En tē hodō (in the way, while on the road) represents opportunity for settlement before judgment. Dos ergasian (give diligence, work hard) to be apēllagmenon (delivered, freed, released).
The escalating legal process (magistrate, judge, officer, prison) illustrates increasing severity. Jesus urges urgent settlement while opportunity remains. Spiritually applied: humanity is on the way to judgment; urgent reconciliation with God is required before arriving at the tribunal. Delay risks permanent condemnation.