Mat 18:25 | Clarke | e4.org | Verse 25. He had not to pay ] That is not being able to pay . As there could not be the smallest probability that a servant, wholly dependent on his master, who was now absolutely insolvent, could ever pay a debt he had contracted of more than 67 millions! -so is it impossible for a sinner, infinitely indebted to Divine justice, ever to pay a mite out of the talent. Commanded him to be sold-his wife-children , &c.] Our Lord here alludes to an ancient custom among the Hebrews, of selling a man and his family to make payment of contracted debts. See ; ; . This custom passed from among the Jews to the Greeks and Romans . I have already remarked (see ) that in the Burman empire the sale of whole families, to discharge debts, is very common.

‏ Matthew 18:25

Verse 25. He had not to pay] That is not being able to pay. As there could not be the smallest probability that a servant, wholly dependent on his master, who was now absolutely insolvent, could ever pay a debt he had contracted of more than 67 millions!

-so is it impossible for a sinner, infinitely indebted to Divine justice, ever to pay a mite out of the talent.

Commanded him to be sold-his wife-children, &c.] Our Lord here alludes to an ancient custom among the Hebrews, of selling a man and his family to make payment of contracted debts. See Ex 22:3; Le 25:30, 47; 2Ki 4:1. This custom passed from among the Jews to the Greeks and Romans. I have already remarked (see Ge 47:19) that in the Burman empire the sale of whole families, to discharge debts, is very common.