Matthew 5:26Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Or, He here speaks of the judges of this world, of the way which leads to this judgment, and of human prisons; thus not only employing future but present inducements, as those things which are before the eyes affect us most, as St. Paul also declares, If thou doest evil fear the power, for he beareth not the sword in vain. (Rom. 13:4.)

Some interpret that by "rival," the devil is meant, while "way" refers to life. They believe the Lord encourages us with this message: as long as you are in this life, distance yourself from the devil so that he cannot later accuse you of your transgressions, claiming any part of you as his own. This is so you may not face punishment until you have eradicated even the slightest wrongs, for a farthing is equivalent to two mites. However, you should grasp that the Lord speaks regarding the adversaries of this world, guiding you to avoid judgment and to adhere to the works of God. He instructs that if you feel aggrieved, do not escalate matters to the court; instead, reconcile while you are on the way, to prevent facing even graver consequences due to the influence of your opponent.

Perhaps then it is God with whom we are here enjoined to agree. He may be said to be our adversary, because we have departed from Him by sin, and He resisteth the proud. Whosoever then shall not have been reconciled in this life with God through the death of His Son, shall be by Him delivered to the Judge, that is, the Son, to whom He has committed all judgment. And man may be said to be in the way with God, because He is every where. But if we like not to say that the wicked are with God, who is every where present, as we do not say that the blind are with that light which is every where around them, there only remains the law of God which we can understand by our adversary.

The word here in our Latin books is ‘consentiens,’ in Greek, εὐνοῶν, which means, ‘kind,’ ‘benevolent.’

Some interpret the adversary as the conscience, which consistently opposes the wicked intent and condemns wrongdoing. This struggle takes place in our current existence, where we are called to adhere to the one who encourages righteousness and shuns evil. While virtue is generally influenced by both future aspirations and present circumstances, as noted in the Beatitudes, conversely, the avoidance of wrongdoing is similarly guided by both future consequences and immediate realities. After rejecting enmity stemming from the coming judgment of hell, we must also reject and turn away from present judgment and daily occurrences.

The Lord suffers us at no time to be wanting in peaceableness of temper, and therefore bids us be reconciled to our adversary quickly, while on the road of life, lest we be cast into the season of death before peace be joined between us.

You are encouraged to reconcile with your adversary without delay, for as the Savior teaches, do so quickly while you are still journeying together, lest your opponent bring you before the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, resulting in your imprisonment. Truly, I tell you, you will not leave this place until you have paid the last penny. In these words we see the command from Jesus Christ to seek harmony with our estranged neighbor as long as we are both alive, for death will come and sever our opportunities for reconciliation. The rightful pleas of those we have wronged will ascend to the heavens, reaching the righteous Judge, who, in His unwavering justice, will examine our every action, word, and thought with relentless scrutiny.

Truly, I tell you, you will not be freed from that place until you have surrendered every last coin, until every single penny is accounted for. But how will you find the means to make that payment? There is nowhere to obtain the funds, so you have nothing with which to settle your debt, and thus you may remain forever trapped in this tormenting prison, unless others intervene on your behalf, unless the Holy Church extends its powerful prayers to God for you, unless the Lord Himself softens the heart of the one you have wronged, prompting him to pray for you in unity with the Church. Additionally, consider your conscience as a formidable opponent: reconcile with this steadfast witness of your actions before you stand before the just Judge.

Reach an agreement with your adversary swiftly, while you are still journeying together, or else your adversary may deliver you to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, resulting in your confinement; truly I say to you, you will not be released from there until you have paid every last penny. Who, then, is identified as the adversary? Augustine argues it cannot be the devil, as our responsibility is to never seek reconciliation with him but to engage in perpetual conflict against him. It also cannot be God, for He would simultaneously be the accuser and the judge. John Chrysostom suggests that Christ is referring to the wronged brother as the adversary, the judge as the earthly magistrate, and the prison as a place of confinement.

The legal framework in Rome imposed harsh penal measures on those unable to repay their debts. Creditors could imprison debtors and maintain them in custody until the entire amount owed, regardless of how minimal, was recovered. Those unfortunate enough to default on their obligations often faced a life of confinement or were reduced to servitude, with no means to settle their debts or gain their freedom. A quadrant, or quadrans, a minor copper coin, was equivalent to two mites (Mark 12:42).

The judgment of God will be constant and will encompass all human actions, regardless of their perceived significance.

Unless you offer, you will not experience the joy of giving, as illustrated in Matthew 18:25-34. However, others will give; through the prayers of the Church, you will find relief if you seek reconciliation promptly. In relation to the last quadrans, this was a minor Roman coin valued at a quarter of an ass or assarius, equivalent to roughly half a kopeck in contemporary currency.