12/10/00
Matthew 5:25-26
// Luke 12:57-59
This parable was
intended for non-Jews, since Jews did not imprison for debt. “The gentile practice of imprisoning a
debtor was particularly offensive to the Jews. In
jail there was no way to earn money to pay the debt” (Mounce 45). But Jews certainly knew of the Gentile practice, thus, there is
no reason for denying that Jesus told the parable to a Jewish
audience.
The idea of
going to court together might seem strange to modern readers. Although the popular phrase, “I’ll see
you in court,” is used today, in ancient times people often went to court together. Under the Greek law of summary arrest accusers,
much as in the modern citizen’s arrest, could make arrests. “The crimes for which a man might be
summarily arrested were thieving, clothes-stealing, picking pockets, house-breaking, and
kidnapping” (Barclay 142). In view of
this custom, it was not unusual to see a plaintiff and a defendant on their way to court
together.
The requirement of paying the last penny might also seem strange to readers. The original Latin word for penny was quadrans. This amount symbolizes the smallest Roman coin. The conclusion is that once a person is in jail, there is no way to get out. They would have to pay to very last cent for their offense, which their imprisonment made impossible.
The
point of this parable in Matthew's setting is to reconcile human relationships while there
is still time and before things get worse. Jesus
encouraged his listeners through this parable to make amends before, or even on the way to
court, not only after court is in session. After
both parties have entered the courtroom, it is too late to do anything about the
grievance. Jesus was promoting peace between
neighbors and friends through this parable. He
wanted people to work things out for themselves in private, rather than relying on the
public court to do it.
Luke presents another interpretation of this parable that is just as important as reconciliation between neighbors, finally more important. He places this parable within a discourse on crisis and divine judgment. This parable could be seen as making things right with God / Jesus before it is too late. Before coming in front of Jesus the cosmic Judge, and having to account for all of their sins, people need to have their hearts clear. Amends need to be made with Jesus before it is too late.
Perhaps Jesus was doing two things through the telling of this parable. He was promoting peace between neighbors and friends, and he was warning people to prepare themselves for the final judgment.
There have been times when I have resorted to watching one of the numerous court shows on TV. Supposedly these shows are real, but most of the time they are so ridiculous that there is no doubt they are staged. Just when the show becomes unbearably stupid, I sigh, shake my head, and turn off the TV. I wonder why those people could not have resolved the issue themselves. How did such a petty argument over money or property end up in court? I guess if people did not take petty arguments to TV, the mass amount of brain dead, unemployed, or bored people would have to get their entertainment elsewhere.
Matthew has a solution to the problem. He plainly suggests that people work things out before they get to court. Society, especially Christians, needs to take this message to heart. Christians need to learn to settle disputes in a Christ-like manner. We need to be friendly toward our neighbors, both Christian and non-Christian. As Luke warns, the end is coming.
Bibliography
Barclay,
William. The Gospel of Matthew. 2nd edition. Daily Study Bible. Philadelphia: The
Westminster Press, 1958.
Hendricksen,
William. Matthew. New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1973.
Mounce, Robert. Matthew.
New International Biblical Commentary. Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers, 1985.