Luke 12:58
A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →
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.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
When thou goest, &c.--(See on Mat 5:25-26). The urgency of the case with them, and the necessity, for their own safety, of immediate decision, was the object of these striking words. Next: Luke Chapter 13
Open source ↗In this chapter we have divers excellent discourses of our Saviour's upon various occasions, many of which are to the same purport with what we had in Matthew upon other the like occasions; for we may suppose that our Lord Jesus preached the same doctrines, and pressed the same duties, at several times, in several companies, and that one of the evangelists took them as he delivered them at one time and another at another time; and we need thus to have precept upon precept, line upon line. Here, I. Christ warns his disciples to take heed of hypocrisy, and of cowardice in professing Christianity and preaching the gospel (Luk 12:1-12). II. He gives a caution against covetousness, upon occasion of a covetous motion made to him, and illustrates that caution by a parable of a rich man suddenly cut off by death in the midst of his worldly projects and hopes (Luk 12:13-21). III. He encourages his disciples to cast all their care upon God, and to live easy in a dependence upon his providence, and exhorts them to make religion their main business (Luk 12:22-34). IV. He stirs them up to watchfulness for their Master's coming, from the consideration of the reward of those who are then found faithful, and the punishment of those who are found unfaithful (Luk 12:35-48). V. He bids them expect trouble and persecution (Luk 12:49-53). VI. He warns the people to observe and improve the day of their opportunities and to make their peace with God in time (Luk 12:54-59).
Open source ↗12:58 on the way to court: This lawsuit over an unpaid debt would result in debtor’s prison. The officer is the bailiff of the court or the warden of the prison. It is advisable to negotiate accounts with your accuser, if possible, before reaching the courtroom. It is also best to reckon with God before the final day of judgment.
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Then an upright man could reason with Him, and I would be delivered forever from my Judge.
Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.
Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you:
For He says: “In the time of favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is the time of favor; now is the day of salvation!
But he refused. Instead, he went and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay his debt.
Therefore let all the godly pray to You while You may be found. Surely when great waters rise, they will not come near.
Reconcile now and be at peace with Him; thereby good will come to you.
When the thousand years are complete, Satan will be released from his prison,
in whom He also went and preached to the spirits in prison