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.

MATTHEW 18:25KJV
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Matthew 18:25 (KJV)

What does Matthew 18:25 mean?

Matthew 18:25 describes a situation where a servant cannot pay his debt, so his master orders that the servant, along with his wife, children, and everything he owns, be sold to repay what is owed. This shows the seriousness of the servant’s debt and the harsh consequences that could follow in that time.

In this verse, Jesus is telling a parable to His disciples about a king settling accounts with his servants. The story uses the real-life practice of selling debtors and their families into servitude as a way to settle unpaid debts. The verse sets up the desperate situation of the servant, which becomes important for understanding the king’s later response in the parable.

The Greek behind Matthew 18:25

  • κύριος (kyrios): This word means "lord" or "master." In the parable, it refers to the person with authority over the servant, highlighting the power difference in the story.
  • ἐκέλευσεν (ekeleusen): This is translated as "commanded." It shows that the master’s decision is not a suggestion but an order, emphasizing the servant’s lack of control.
  • παιδία (paidia): This word means "children." Including the servant’s family in the sale underlines the total impact of the debt and the seriousness of the consequences.
  • πωληθῆναι (polēthēnai): This means "to be sold." The Greek word carries the idea of being sold into slavery, which was a real legal outcome for unpaid debts in the ancient world.

Why Matthew 18:25 matters

  • Matthew 18:25 helps modern readers understand the historical reality of debt and servitude in the ancient world, making the parable’s stakes clearer.
  • The verse sets up the emotional weight of the story, showing just how hopeless the servant’s situation is before any mercy is shown.
  • This verse prepares the reader for the dramatic contrast in the following verses, where the master’s unexpected compassion becomes even more striking.

Where else these words appear

“sold” Greek G4097 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 13:46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
  • Mark 14:5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.
  • Acts 4:34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

“commanded” Greek G2753 · used in 27 verses

  • Matthew 8:18 Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side.
  • Acts 4:15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
  • Acts 23:3 Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?

“pay” Greek G591 · used in 46 verses

  • Matthew 5:26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
  • Matthew 27:58 He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.
  • Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

“children” Greek G5043 · used in 91 verses

  • Matthew 2:18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
  • Luke 19:44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.
  • Philippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;