12:59
I tell you: Jesus often used the words I tell you to begin a statement that he wanted to emphasize. He was asking people to listen with extra attention. For additional translation suggestions, see the notes on 10:24a and 12:27c.
you will not get out until you have paid the very last penny: The expression you will not get out until you have paid the very last penny means “you will not be able to leave the jail until you have paid all the money that you owe.”
the very last penny: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as penny referred to the Roman coin with the smallest value. The phrase the very last penny is an idiomatic way of saying “all of the money.” In this context, it could refer to one of two things:
(1) It refers to a debt. The prisoner owed money to the adversary mentioned in 12:58a. The judge decided that the prisoner must pay back this debt before he could get out of jail. For example:
the last cent you owe (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the last penny of your debt
(Contemporary English Version, New Century Version)
(2) It refers to a court fine. The judge decided that the prisoner had to pay a certain amount to the court as his punishment. For example:
the last penny of your fine (Good News Translation)
(Good News Translation, God’s Word)
The Greek text and most English versions do not specify what the last penny refers to. If possible, translate in a way that would include both possibilities. If you need to be explicit in your translation, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most scholars. It was a common practice to put people who could not pay their debts in prison. Jesus told other parables about canceling debts (Luke 7:41–43) or about people being imprisoned for unpaid debts (see Matthew 18:30).
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