Matthew 18:34
And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὀργισθεὶς
was wroth
G3710
ὀργισθεὶς
was wroth
Strong's:
G3710
Word #:
2 of 16
to provoke or enrage, i.e., (passively) become exasperated
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριος
lord
G2962
κύριος
lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
4 of 16
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 16
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
παρέδωκεν
and delivered
G3860
παρέδωκεν
and delivered
Strong's:
G3860
Word #:
6 of 16
to surrender, i.e yield up, entrust, transmit
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 16
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
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἕως
till
G2193
ἕως
till
Strong's:
G2193
Word #:
10 of 16
a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)
οὗ
G3739
οὗ
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
11 of 16
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἀποδῷ
he should pay
G591
ἀποδῷ
he should pay
Strong's:
G591
Word #:
12 of 16
to give away, i.e., up, over, back, etc. (in various applications)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
Roman legal practice permitted torture of slaves to extract testimony or information about hidden assets. Some interpret basanistēs as prison guards authorized to use harsh methods to motivate payment. Regardless, the term evokes severe suffering and the impossibility of escape—the reinstated debt, never fully payable, ensures unending punishment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the lord's righteous anger toward abused grace inform your understanding of divine justice alongside divine mercy?
- What does the impossibility of paying 'all that was due' after grace is withdrawn teach about the finality of judgment?
- How should this warning about torment for unforgiveness motivate you to examine whether you've truly forgiven from your heart (v. 35)?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And his lord was wroth (ὀργισθεὶς ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ, orgistheis ho kyrios autou)—righteous anger, the Greek orgizō indicating justified wrath against covenant violation. The same lord previously 'moved with compassion' (v. 27) now burns with anger—not contradiction but appropriate response to abused grace. This reveals God's character: mercy to the repentant, wrath toward those who trample grace underfoot (Heb 10:29).
Delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him (παρέδωκεν αὐτὸν τοῖς βασανισταῖς, paredōken auton tois basanistais)—'handed him over to the torturers.' The term basanistēs refers to those who extract payment through torture (possibly torturing until family pays, or legal torturers). The phrase 'till he should pay all' signals impossible fulfillment—the 10,000 talent debt remained unpayable, making his torment effectively permanent. This pictures the eternal conscious punishment of those who reject grace.