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 5:25KJV
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Matthew 5:25 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“adversary” Greek G476 · used in 4 verses

  • Luke 12:58 When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.
  • Luke 18:3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
  • 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

“Agree” Greek G2468 · used in 5 verses

  • Matthew 2:13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
  • Mark 5:34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.
  • Luke 19:17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.

“whiles” Greek G3755 · used in 6 verses

  • Luke 13:8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
  • Luke 15:8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
  • Luke 22:18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.

“quickly” Greek G5035 · used in 13 verses

  • Matthew 28:7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
  • John 11:29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.
  • Revelation 11:14 The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.