Matthew 18:30
And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἤθελεν
he would
G2309
ἤθελεν
he would
Strong's:
G2309
Word #:
4 of 15
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),
ἀλλὰ
but
G235
ἀλλὰ
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
5 of 15
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ἀπελθὼν
went
G565
ἀπελθὼν
went
Strong's:
G565
Word #:
6 of 15
to go off (i.e., depart), aside (i.e., apart) or behind (i.e., follow), literally or figuratively
ἔβαλεν
and cast
G906
ἔβαλεν
and cast
Strong's:
G906
Word #:
7 of 15
to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense)
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 15
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
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
9 of 15
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
φυλακὴν
prison
G5438
φυλακὴν
prison
Strong's:
G5438
Word #:
10 of 15
a guarding or (concretely, guard), the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the condition, or (specially), the time (as a division of day or nigh
ἕως
till
G2193
ἕως
till
Strong's:
G2193
Word #:
11 of 15
a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)
οὗ
G3739
οὗ
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
12 of 15
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἀποδῷ
he should pay
G591
ἀποδῷ
he should pay
Strong's:
G591
Word #:
13 of 15
to give away, i.e., up, over, back, etc. (in various applications)
Historical Context
Debt-imprisonment was common in Roman and Jewish legal practice (Mt 5:25-26). Unlike modern bankruptcy, ancient debtors had no discharge process—they remained confined indefinitely unless someone paid their debt. Families often sold possessions or themselves into slavery to ransom imprisoned relatives. Prison conditions were harsh: dark, unsanitary, often no food provided (family/friends had to supply it).
Questions for Reflection
- How does imprisoning the debtor (preventing him from earning repayment) mirror how unforgiveness entraps both the offender and yourself?
- What does willful refusal to forgive ('he would not') reveal about your spiritual condition and understanding of grace?
- How do you imprison others through unforgiveness, requiring them to 'pay debts' of repeated apology, penance, or probation?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And he would not (ὁ δὲ οὐκ ἤθελεν, ho de ouk ēthelen)—emphatic refusal. The Greek construction stresses willful rejection: 'but he kept refusing.' Not inability but hard-hearted unwillingness characterizes this servant. This decisiveness contrasts with the lord's compassion (v. 27)—one moved by visceral mercy, the other unmoved by pleading.
But went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt (ἔβαλεν αὐτὸν εἰς φυλακήν, ebalen auton eis phylakēn)—debt-prison, where debtors remained until family/friends secured payment. The verb ballō (βάλλω, 'cast, throw') suggests violent action. Ironically, imprisoning the debtor prevented him from earning wages to repay—making release virtually impossible without outside intervention. This models unforgiveness: imprisoning others in their sins prevents restoration and reconciliation.