Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
Work things out with someone who's got beef with you while you're still on good terms. Don't wait until it gets messy, because once they take you to court, the judge hands you over to the bailiff, and you end up behind bars.
Solve your problems before they solve you.
📚 Historical Context
In the context of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is teaching his followers about practical ways to handle interpersonal conflicts and avoid escalation in a society where legal disputes were common and could lead to severe consequences like imprisonment. During the first-century Roman-occupied Israel, people often dealt with adversaries in everyday matters, such as debts or disagreements, where failing to settle quickly might result in being handed over to judges and officers for punishment. This verse uses a real-world scenario to illustrate broader spiritual principles of humility and proactive peace-making.
Explore Similar Verses
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.