57"And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? [12:58] For as you are going with your legal adversary before a magistrate, make earnest effort to be released from him on the way, lest he drag you before the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. [12:59] I say to you, you will certainly not get out from there until you have paid back even the last lepton."
LUK 12:57-59
Reconciling with an Adversary
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Roman legal system, disputes were often settled through litigation before magistrates, a process that could lead to severe consequences for the losing party. The term (adversary) refers specifically to an opponent in a legal case, suggesting a formalized conflict. The mention of a (debt collector or enforcer) underscores the Roman practice of employing officials to execute judicial decisions, including imprisonment for unpaid debts. The , the smallest coin in circulation, highlights the expectation of full repayment, even to the last fraction. In this context, Jesus’ admonition to settle disputes “on the way” reflects the pragmatic urgency of avoiding the Roman judicial system, which was often slow, costly, and biased toward the wealthy. The emphasis on (earnest effort) underscores the need for proactive resolution, as failure to reconcile could result in imprisonment until the debt was fully paid, a situation that would bring shame and financial ruin.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
LUK 12:57
- KJV
- Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?
- BSB
- And why donʼt you judge for yourselves what is right?
- Koinōnos
- And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?
LUK 12:58
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- 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.
- Koinōnos
- For as you are going with your legal adversary before a magistrate, make earnest effort to be released from him on the way, lest he drag you before the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison.
LUK 12:59
- KJV
- I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite.
- BSB
- I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the very last penny.”
- Koinōnos
- I say to you, you will certainly not get out from there until you have paid back even the last lepton.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
LUK 12:58
- adversary:The word translated 'adversary' here specifically refers to an opponent in a legal dispute, someone with whom one is engaged in a lawsuit.
- earnestness:The term translated 'earnestness' carries the sense of diligent effort or active work, implying a need for prompt and decisive action.
- officer,:The word translated 'officer' refers to an official who executes judgments, like a bailiff or an enforcer of legal decisions.
LUK 12:59
- last:The word translated 'last' refers to a specific small coin, the lepton, which was the smallest Jewish coin, worth very little.