Matthew 18:25
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.
Original Language Analysis
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
1 of 24
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
εἶχεν,
he had
G2192
εἶχεν,
he had
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
2 of 24
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 24
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
ἀποδοθῆναι
payment to be made
G591
ἀποδοθῆναι
payment to be made
Strong's:
G591
Word #:
5 of 24
to give away, i.e., up, over, back, etc. (in various applications)
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 24
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
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριος
lord
G2962
κύριος
lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
9 of 24
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 of 24
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
πραθῆναι
to be sold
G4097
πραθῆναι
to be sold
Strong's:
G4097
Word #:
11 of 24
from the base of g4008); to traffic (by travelling), i.e., dispose of as merchandise or into slavery (literally or figuratively)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
15 of 24
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
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
19 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εἶχεν,
he had
G2192
εἶχεν,
he had
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
22 of 24
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
Cross References
Nehemiah 5:5Yet 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 unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards.2 Kings 4:1Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.Luke 7:42And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?Leviticus 25:39And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant:Nehemiah 5:8And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer.
Historical Context
Roman law (c. 1st century AD) permitted creditors to seize debtors and their families. Unlike Hebrew debt-servitude (maximum seven years), Greco-Roman slavery was typically permanent. A healthy adult male slave sold for 500-2,000 denarii, a woman or child considerably less. The math of this parable deliberately shows the inadequacy of such 'payment.'
Questions for Reflection
- How does the futility of selling the family (gaining ≈2 talents against 10,000 owed) demonstrate the inadequacy of human works for salvation?
- What does the threat to wife and children reveal about sin's collateral damage to those around us?
- How should understanding your unpayable debt shape your view of Christ's atoning sacrifice?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
His lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had—Mosaic Law permitted debt slavery (Lev 25:39-46; Deut 15:12-18) with protections: Hebrew servants released in seven years, families protected. This parable depicts harsher Greco-Roman practice where entire households faced permanent bondage. The Greek prathēnai (πραθῆναι, 'to be sold') indicates sale into slavery for debt satisfaction.
Payment to be made (ἀποδοθῆναι, apodothēnai)—yet selling the entire family would yield perhaps 2-3 talents maximum, leaving 9,997+ talents unpaid. This highlights the unpayable nature of sin's debt: even our total forfeiture cannot satisfy divine justice. The household's sale represents the comprehensive destruction sin brings—affecting not only the sinner but all connected relationships.