Matthew 18:25 Since the man was unable to pay, the master ordered that he be sold to pay his debt, along with his wife and children and everything he owned.

◄ Matthew 18:25 ►

New International Version
Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.

New Living Translation
He couldn’t pay, so his master ordered that he be sold—along with his wife, his children, and everything he owned—to pay the debt.

English Standard Version
And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made.

Berean Standard Bible
Since the man was unable to pay, the master ordered that he be sold to pay his debt, along with his wife and children and everything he owned.

Berean Literal Bible
And of him having nothing to pay, the master commanded him to be sold, and the wife and children, and everything that he had, and payment to be made.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made.

New American Standard Bible
But since he did not have the means to repay, his master commanded that he be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment be made.

NASB 1995
“But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made.

NASB 1977
“But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made.

Legacy Standard Bible
But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made.

Amplified Bible
But because he could not repay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and his children and everything that he possessed, and payment to be made.

Christian Standard Bible
Since he did not have the money to pay it back, his master commanded that he, his wife, his children, and everything he had be sold to pay the debt.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Since he had no way to pay it back, his master commanded that he, his wife, his children, and everything he had be sold to pay the debt.

American Standard Version
But forasmuch as he had not wherewith to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

Contemporary English Version
But he didn't have any money to pay what he owed. The king ordered him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all he owned, in order to pay the debt.

English Revised Version
But forasmuch as he had not wherewith to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Because he could not pay off the debt, the master ordered him, his wife, his children, and all that he had to be sold to pay off the account.

Good News Translation
The servant did not have enough to pay his debt, so the king ordered him to be sold as a slave, with his wife and his children and all that he had, in order to pay the debt.

International Standard Version
Because he couldn't pay, his master ordered him, his wife, his children, and everything that he owned to be sold so that payment could be made.

Majority Standard Bible
Since the man was unable to pay, the master ordered that he be sold to pay his debt, along with his wife and children and everything he owned.

NET Bible
Because he was not able to repay it, the lord ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, children, and whatever he possessed, and repayment to be made.

New Heart English Bible
But because he could not pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, with his wife and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

Webster's Bible Translation
But as he had not ability to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

Weymouth New Testament
and was unable to pay. So his master ordered that he and his wife and children and everything that he had should be sold, and payment be made.

World English Bible
But because he couldn’t pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, with his wife, his children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and he having nothing to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and the children, and all, whatever he had, and payment to be made.

Berean Literal Bible
And of him having nothing to pay, the master commanded him to be sold, and the wife and children, and everything that he had, and payment to be made.

Young's Literal Translation
and he having nothing to pay, his lord did command him to be sold, and his wife, and the children, and all, whatever he had, and payment to be made.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he not having to give back, his lord ordered him to be sold, and his wife and his children, and all which he had also to be given back.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And as he had not wherewith to pay it, his lord commanded that he should be sold, and his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But since he did not have any way to repay it, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children, and all that he had, in order to repay it.

New American Bible
Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt.

New Revised Standard Version
and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And as he could not pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, together with his wife and children, and all that he had, so that he could pay.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And when he had nothing to pay, his lord commanded that he would be sold, and his wife and his children, and everything that he had, and he would pay.

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
But as he was not able to pay, his lord commanded him, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, to be sold, and payment to be made.

Godbey New Testament
And he not having wherewith to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all things so many as he had, and payment to be made.

Haweis New Testament
but not having wherewithal to pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, and his wife and his children, and all things whatsoever he possessed, and payment to be made.

Mace New Testament
but being insolvent, his lord gave orders that he, with his wife, and children, and all that he had, should be sold for payment.

Weymouth New Testament
and was unable to pay. So his master ordered that he and his wife and children and everything that he had should be sold, and payment be made.

Worrell New Testament
but, as he had nothing to pay, his lord commanded that he be sold, and his wife, and his children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

Worsley New Testament
and not having it to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife and children and all that he had; and payment to be made.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Unforgiving Servant
…24As he began the settlements, a debtor was brought to him owing ten thousand talents. 25Since the man was unable to pay, the master ordered that he be sold to pay his debt, along with his wife and children and everything he owned. 26Then the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Have patience with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

2 Kings 4:1
Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And now his creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves!”

Nehemiah 5:5
We and our children are just like our countrymen and their children, yet we are subjecting our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters are already enslaved, but we are powerless to redeem them because our fields and vineyards belong to others.”

Leviticus 25:39-41
If a countryman among you becomes destitute and sells himself to you, then you must not force him into slave labor. / Let him stay with you as a hired worker or temporary resident; he is to work for you until the Year of Jubilee. / Then he and his children are to be released, and he may return to his clan and to the property of his fathers.

Exodus 21:2-7
If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free without paying anything. / If he arrived alone, he is to leave alone; if he arrived with a wife, she is to leave with him. / If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the woman and her children shall belong to her master, and only the man shall go free. ...

Deuteronomy 15:12
If a fellow Hebrew, a man or a woman, is sold to you and serves you six years, then in the seventh year you must set him free.

Amos 2:6
This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Israel, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they sell the righteous for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals.

Isaiah 50:1
This is what the LORD says: “Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce with which I sent her away? Or to which of My creditors did I sell you? Look, you were sold for your iniquities, and for your transgressions your mother was sent away.

Jeremiah 34:14
Every seventh year, each of you must free his Hebrew brother who has sold himself to you. He may serve you six years, but then you must let him go free. But your fathers did not listen or incline their ear.

2 Kings 4:7
She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil, and pay your debt. Then you and your sons can live on the remainder.”

Proverbs 22:7
The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.

Luke 7:41-42
“Two men were debtors to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. / When they were unable to repay him, he forgave both of them. Which one, then, will love him more?”

Matthew 5:25-26
Reconcile quickly with your adversary, while you are still on the way to court. Otherwise, he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. / Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

Luke 12:58-59
Make every effort to reconcile with your adversary while you are on your way to the magistrate. Otherwise, he may drag you off to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and the officer may throw you into prison. / I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the very last penny.”

Romans 13:8
Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

Philemon 1:18-19
But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to my account. / I, Paul, write this with my own hand. I will repay it—not to mention that you owe me your very self.

Treasury of Scripture

But for as much 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.

commanded.

Leviticus 25:39
And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant:

2 Kings 4:1
Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.

Nehemiah 5:5,8
Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards…

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Matthew 18

1. Jesus warns his disciples to be humble and harmless,
7. to avoid offenses,
10. and not to despise the little ones;
15. teaches how we are to deal with our brothers when they offend us,
21. and how often to forgive them;
23. which he sets forth by a parable of the king who took account of his servants,
32. and punished him who showed no mercy to his fellow servant.

Berean Study Bible

Since he was unable to pay
This phrase highlights the debtor's complete inability to fulfill his financial obligation. In the Greek, "unable" (οὐκ ἔχων) emphasizes a lack of resources or means. This reflects the spiritual state of humanity, unable to pay the debt of sin. Historically, debt slavery was a common practice in ancient times, illustrating the severe consequences of financial insolvency. Spiritually, it underscores the human condition of helplessness without divine intervention.

the master ordered
The "master" (κύριος) in this parable represents God, who is sovereign and just. The Greek term for "ordered" (ἐκέλευσεν) implies a command with authority. This reflects God's righteous judgment and the seriousness of sin. The master’s decision is not arbitrary but rooted in justice, reminding believers of the holiness and authority of God.

that he be sold
In ancient cultures, selling a debtor into slavery was a legal recourse to recover losses. The Greek word for "sold" (πραθῆναι) indicates a transaction, symbolizing the bondage of sin. This phrase serves as a sobering reminder of the cost of sin and the justice required by a holy God. It also foreshadows the redemptive work of Christ, who paid the ultimate price to free humanity from spiritual slavery.

to pay his debt
The concept of "debt" (ὀφειλή) in this context is both financial and spiritual. Biblically, debt often symbolizes sin, as seen in the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:12). The inability to pay this debt highlights the need for grace and forgiveness. This phrase calls believers to recognize their own spiritual indebtedness and the necessity of Christ’s atoning sacrifice.

along with his wife and children
This phrase underscores the communal impact of individual actions. In ancient times, a man's debt could affect his entire household, reflecting the interconnectedness of family and community. Spiritually, it serves as a reminder of the far-reaching consequences of sin, affecting not just the individual but also those around them. It calls believers to consider the broader implications of their actions.

and everything he owned
The totality of the debtor's loss, including "everything he owned" (πάντα ὅσα εἶχεν), signifies the complete forfeiture of personal assets. This phrase illustrates the comprehensive nature of sin’s consequences, leaving nothing untouched. It serves as a stark reminder of the cost of sin and the need for redemption. Believers are encouraged to reflect on the temporal nature of earthly possessions and the eternal value of spiritual riches in Christ.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(25) His lord commanded him to be sold.--The framework of the parable was necessarily drawn from human laws, and, except as indicating the sentence of condemnation passed upon the sinner himself, there is no occasion of pressing the details as we unfold the spiritual meaning that lies below the imagery.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 25. - He had not to pay. He was absolutely bankrupt, and had no means whatever of meeting the deficit. To be sold. The Jewish Law ordered such process in the case of an impecunious debtor (see Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 25:39, 41; and the concrete case in 2 Kings 4:1; comp. also Isaiah 50:1; Psalm 44:12). But this law was mitigated by the enactment of the jubilee, which in the course of time restored the bondman to liberty. The instance in the parable appertains rather to Oriental depotism than to the proceedings under Mosaic legislation (see ver. 34, which is not in accordance with Jewish practice). The king, by this severity, may have desired to make the defaulter feel the weight of his debt, and to bring him to repentance, as we see that he was ready to accept the submission of the debtor, and to grant him forgiveness (St. Chrysostom). Payment to be made. The verb is put impersonally. Of course, the sale of himself, wife, family, possessions, would not produce enough to satisfy the debt; but the command is to the effect that the proceeds should be taken on account of the debt. The parable; must not be pressed in all its details; a false impression is often produced by fixing spiritual or allegorical meaning upon the unimportant accessories, which, in fact, merely give vividness to the offered picture. The sale of wife and children is of this character, though it may be said generally and experimentally that a man's sins react on his family in some sort, lowering position and reputation, and reducing to poverty etc.; but this result has no bearing on the lessening of the original debt.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

Since
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

[the man]
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

was unable
ἔχοντος (echontos)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

to pay,
ἀποδοῦναι (apodounai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 591: From apo and didomi; to give away, i.e. Up, over, back, etc.

the
ὁ (ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

master
κύριος (kyrios)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

ordered that
ἐκέλευσεν (ekeleusen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2753: To command, order, direct, bid. From a primary kello; 'hail'; to incite by word, i.e. Order.

he
αὐτὸν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

be sold
πραθῆναι (prathēnai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive
Strong's 4097: A reduplicated and prolonged form of prao; contracted from perao; to traffic, i.e. Dispose of as merchandise or into slavery.

to pay [his] debt,
ἀποδοθῆναι (apodothēnai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive
Strong's 591: From apo and didomi; to give away, i.e. Up, over, back, etc.

along with
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

[his]
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

wife
γυναῖκα (gynaika)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1135: A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

children
τέκνα (tekna)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 5043: A child, descendent, inhabitant. From the base of timoria; a child.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

everything
πάντα (panta)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

he owned.
ἔχει (echei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

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NT Gospels: Matthew 18:25 But because he couldn't pay his lord (Matt. Mat Mt)