Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
MATTHEW 5:25KJVWhat does Matthew 5:25 mean?
Matthew 5:25 urges the listener to settle disputes with an adversary quickly, before the conflict escalates to a legal judgment that could result in imprisonment. The verse emphasizes the importance of resolving issues early, rather than allowing them to reach a point where the outcome is out of one's control.
In this verse, Jesus is speaking to a crowd during the Sermon on the Mount, teaching about relationships and reconciliation. The situation described is a legal dispute, where someone is on the way to court with an opponent. The advice is practical: making peace before reaching the judge can prevent harsher consequences. This fits into Jesus’ broader teaching about the value of reconciliation and avoiding unnecessary conflict.
The Greek behind Matthew 5:25
- "Agree" (εὐνοῶν, transliteration: eunóōn): This Greek word means to be well-disposed or to have good intentions toward someone. Here, it suggests not just settling but actively seeking goodwill with the adversary.
- "Adversary" (ἀντίδικος, transliteration: antidikos): This word refers to an opponent in a lawsuit or legal matter. It highlights that the context is a real dispute, not just a general disagreement.
- "Quickly" (ταχύ, transliteration: tachy): The Greek word stresses urgency, implying that reconciliation should happen as soon as possible, not delayed.
- "Officer" (ὑπηρέτης, transliteration: hypēretēs): This term refers to a court official or attendant, someone who would carry out the judge’s sentence. It adds weight to the warning about the consequences of letting a dispute reach the courts.
Why Matthew 5:25 matters
- Matthew 5:25 clarifies that Jesus’ teaching is not just about spiritual attitudes but also about practical, everyday relationships and legal matters.
- The verse highlights the urgency of reconciliation, showing that delaying can lead to consequences beyond one’s control.
- This teaching connects to the wider passage about anger and reconciliation, reinforcing the theme that making peace with others is a priority in Jesus’ message.