Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Courts of justice » Provided with » Tormentors or executioners
And the master was enraged and turned him over to the official torturers, until he should pay the whole debt.
Verse Concepts
Creditor » Oppressions of
Be quick to come to terms with your opponent while you are on the road to court with him, so that he may not turn you over to the judge and the judge turn you over to the officer, and you be put in prison. I solemnly say to you, you will never get out at all until you have paid the last penny.
For instance, when you are on the way to court with your opponent, take the utmost pains on the way to get entirely rid of him, so that he may not rush you before the judge, and the judge turn you over to the sheriff, and the sheriff put you in prison. I tell you, you will never get out of it until you have paid the last penny!"
"But that slave went out and found one of his fellow-slaves who owed him twenty dollars, and he caught him by the throat and began to choke him, demanding, 'Pay me what you owe me!' "And his fellow-slave fell down before him and pleaded, 'Give me time, and I will pay you.' But he refused and went out and had him put in jail until he should pay the debt. read more.
"When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly troubled, and went and reported all that happened to their master. Then his master called to him, and said, 'I cancelled all that huge debt of yours, because you pleaded with me to do so. Ought you not to have shown mercy to your fellow-slave, as I too had done for you?' And the master was enraged and turned him over to the official torturers, until he should pay the whole debt. This is the way my heavenly Father too will deal with you, if you do not, each one, heartily forgive your brother."
"When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly troubled, and went and reported all that happened to their master. Then his master called to him, and said, 'I cancelled all that huge debt of yours, because you pleaded with me to do so. Ought you not to have shown mercy to your fellow-slave, as I too had done for you?' And the master was enraged and turned him over to the official torturers, until he should pay the whole debt. This is the way my heavenly Father too will deal with you, if you do not, each one, heartily forgive your brother."
Creditors » Often exacted debts » By imprisonment
Be quick to come to terms with your opponent while you are on the road to court with him, so that he may not turn you over to the judge and the judge turn you over to the officer, and you be put in prison.
Verse Concepts
And the master was enraged and turned him over to the official torturers, until he should pay the whole debt.
Verse Concepts
Forgiveness » The reward for not forgiving others
But if you do not forgive others, your heavenly Father will not forgive your shortcomings either.
Verse Concepts
So the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who decided to settle up his accounts with his slaves, And when he began, a man was brought to him who owed him ten million dollars. And because he could not pay it, his master ordered him to be sold, yea, even his wife and children and all he had, and payment to be made. read more.
So the slave fell down at his feet and pleaded, 'Give me time, and I will pay you every cent of it.' And his master's heart was moved with pity, and he let the slave go free with his debt cancelled. "But that slave went out and found one of his fellow-slaves who owed him twenty dollars, and he caught him by the throat and began to choke him, demanding, 'Pay me what you owe me!' "And his fellow-slave fell down before him and pleaded, 'Give me time, and I will pay you.' But he refused and went out and had him put in jail until he should pay the debt. "When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly troubled, and went and reported all that happened to their master. Then his master called to him, and said, 'I cancelled all that huge debt of yours, because you pleaded with me to do so. Ought you not to have shown mercy to your fellow-slave, as I too had done for you?' And the master was enraged and turned him over to the official torturers, until he should pay the whole debt. This is the way my heavenly Father too will deal with you, if you do not, each one, heartily forgive your brother."
So the slave fell down at his feet and pleaded, 'Give me time, and I will pay you every cent of it.' And his master's heart was moved with pity, and he let the slave go free with his debt cancelled. "But that slave went out and found one of his fellow-slaves who owed him twenty dollars, and he caught him by the throat and began to choke him, demanding, 'Pay me what you owe me!' "And his fellow-slave fell down before him and pleaded, 'Give me time, and I will pay you.' But he refused and went out and had him put in jail until he should pay the debt. "When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly troubled, and went and reported all that happened to their master. Then his master called to him, and said, 'I cancelled all that huge debt of yours, because you pleaded with me to do so. Ought you not to have shown mercy to your fellow-slave, as I too had done for you?' And the master was enraged and turned him over to the official torturers, until he should pay the whole debt. This is the way my heavenly Father too will deal with you, if you do not, each one, heartily forgive your brother."
Omitted Text.
Verse Concepts
Forgiveness of injuries » Illustrated
So the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who decided to settle up his accounts with his slaves, And when he began, a man was brought to him who owed him ten million dollars. And because he could not pay it, his master ordered him to be sold, yea, even his wife and children and all he had, and payment to be made. read more.
So the slave fell down at his feet and pleaded, 'Give me time, and I will pay you every cent of it.' And his master's heart was moved with pity, and he let the slave go free with his debt cancelled. "But that slave went out and found one of his fellow-slaves who owed him twenty dollars, and he caught him by the throat and began to choke him, demanding, 'Pay me what you owe me!' "And his fellow-slave fell down before him and pleaded, 'Give me time, and I will pay you.' But he refused and went out and had him put in jail until he should pay the debt. "When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly troubled, and went and reported all that happened to their master. Then his master called to him, and said, 'I cancelled all that huge debt of yours, because you pleaded with me to do so. Ought you not to have shown mercy to your fellow-slave, as I too had done for you?' And the master was enraged and turned him over to the official torturers, until he should pay the whole debt. This is the way my heavenly Father too will deal with you, if you do not, each one, heartily forgive your brother."
So the slave fell down at his feet and pleaded, 'Give me time, and I will pay you every cent of it.' And his master's heart was moved with pity, and he let the slave go free with his debt cancelled. "But that slave went out and found one of his fellow-slaves who owed him twenty dollars, and he caught him by the throat and began to choke him, demanding, 'Pay me what you owe me!' "And his fellow-slave fell down before him and pleaded, 'Give me time, and I will pay you.' But he refused and went out and had him put in jail until he should pay the debt. "When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly troubled, and went and reported all that happened to their master. Then his master called to him, and said, 'I cancelled all that huge debt of yours, because you pleaded with me to do so. Ought you not to have shown mercy to your fellow-slave, as I too had done for you?' And the master was enraged and turned him over to the official torturers, until he should pay the whole debt. This is the way my heavenly Father too will deal with you, if you do not, each one, heartily forgive your brother."
Jesus Christ » Parables of » The unmerciful servant
So the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who decided to settle up his accounts with his slaves, And when he began, a man was brought to him who owed him ten million dollars. And because he could not pay it, his master ordered him to be sold, yea, even his wife and children and all he had, and payment to be made. read more.
So the slave fell down at his feet and pleaded, 'Give me time, and I will pay you every cent of it.' And his master's heart was moved with pity, and he let the slave go free with his debt cancelled. "But that slave went out and found one of his fellow-slaves who owed him twenty dollars, and he caught him by the throat and began to choke him, demanding, 'Pay me what you owe me!' "And his fellow-slave fell down before him and pleaded, 'Give me time, and I will pay you.' But he refused and went out and had him put in jail until he should pay the debt. "When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly troubled, and went and reported all that happened to their master. Then his master called to him, and said, 'I cancelled all that huge debt of yours, because you pleaded with me to do so. Ought you not to have shown mercy to your fellow-slave, as I too had done for you?' And the master was enraged and turned him over to the official torturers, until he should pay the whole debt. This is the way my heavenly Father too will deal with you, if you do not, each one, heartily forgive your brother."
So the slave fell down at his feet and pleaded, 'Give me time, and I will pay you every cent of it.' And his master's heart was moved with pity, and he let the slave go free with his debt cancelled. "But that slave went out and found one of his fellow-slaves who owed him twenty dollars, and he caught him by the throat and began to choke him, demanding, 'Pay me what you owe me!' "And his fellow-slave fell down before him and pleaded, 'Give me time, and I will pay you.' But he refused and went out and had him put in jail until he should pay the debt. "When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly troubled, and went and reported all that happened to their master. Then his master called to him, and said, 'I cancelled all that huge debt of yours, because you pleaded with me to do so. Ought you not to have shown mercy to your fellow-slave, as I too had done for you?' And the master was enraged and turned him over to the official torturers, until he should pay the whole debt. This is the way my heavenly Father too will deal with you, if you do not, each one, heartily forgive your brother."
Kingdom of God » What the kingdom of God is likened to
As they were listening to these things, He told them another story, because He was near Jerusalem and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. So He said: "Once upon a time a man of noble birth went off to a distant country to get for himself a kingdom and then return. He called in ten of his slaves and gave them twenty dollars apiece and told them to do business with his money while he was gone. read more.
But his citizens continued to hate him, and sent a delegation after him to say, 'We do not want this man to become king over us.' Then after he had gotten the appointment as king, he returned and ordered those slaves to whom he had given his money to be called in, that he might find out what business they had done. Now the first one came in and said, 'Your twenty dollars, sir, has made two hundred more.' So he said to him, 'Well done, my good slave! Because you have proven dependable in a very small business, be governor of ten cities!' The second one came in and said, 'Your twenty dollars, sir, has made a hundred!' So he said to him too, 'Be governor of five cities? But another one came in and said, 'Here is your twenty dollars, sir, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief. For I lived in constant dread of you, because you are a stern man, you pick up what you did not put down, you reap what you did not sow.' He said to him, 'On the ground of what you say I will sentence you, you wicked slave! You knew that I was a stern man, that I picked up what I did not put down, and reaped what I did not sow. So why did you not put my money into the bank? In that case, when I came back I could have gotten interest on my principal.' So he said to the bystanders, 'Take the twenty dollars away from him and give it to the man who has the two hundred.' And they said, 'Sir, he has two hundred already.' 'I tell you, the man who gets will have more given to him, but the man who does not get will have even what he has taken away from him! But bring those enemies of mine here who did not want me to become king over them and slay them in my presence!'"
But his citizens continued to hate him, and sent a delegation after him to say, 'We do not want this man to become king over us.' Then after he had gotten the appointment as king, he returned and ordered those slaves to whom he had given his money to be called in, that he might find out what business they had done. Now the first one came in and said, 'Your twenty dollars, sir, has made two hundred more.' So he said to him, 'Well done, my good slave! Because you have proven dependable in a very small business, be governor of ten cities!' The second one came in and said, 'Your twenty dollars, sir, has made a hundred!' So he said to him too, 'Be governor of five cities? But another one came in and said, 'Here is your twenty dollars, sir, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief. For I lived in constant dread of you, because you are a stern man, you pick up what you did not put down, you reap what you did not sow.' He said to him, 'On the ground of what you say I will sentence you, you wicked slave! You knew that I was a stern man, that I picked up what I did not put down, and reaped what I did not sow. So why did you not put my money into the bank? In that case, when I came back I could have gotten interest on my principal.' So he said to the bystanders, 'Take the twenty dollars away from him and give it to the man who has the two hundred.' And they said, 'Sir, he has two hundred already.' 'I tell you, the man who gets will have more given to him, but the man who does not get will have even what he has taken away from him! But bring those enemies of mine here who did not want me to become king over them and slay them in my presence!'"
"For the kingdom of heaven is like an owner of an estate who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. When he had contracted with the laborers at twenty cents a day, he sent them off to his vineyard. He went out again about nine o'clock and found others standing around doing nothing. read more.
So he said to them, 'You too go out to my vineyard, and I will pay you what is right.' And they went. Again he went out about twelve o'clock and three o'clock, and did as before. About five he went out again and found still others standing around, and he said to them, 'Why have you been standing here all day doing nothing?' They answered him, 'Because nobody has hired us.' He said to them, 'You too go out to my vineyard.' "When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, 'Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last and ending with the first.' And they who had been hired at five o'clock came and received twenty cents each. And those who were hired first, when they came, supposed that they would receive more, but they too received twenty cents each. And as they received it, they began to grumble against the owner of the estate, and say, 'These last worked only one hour, and yet you have put them on the same footing with us who have borne the heavy burdens and scorching heat of the day.' But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no injustice. Did you not contract with me at twenty cents? Take what belongs to you and go. I want to give this man hired last as much as I do you. Have I not the right to do what I please with my own money? Or, is your eye causing you to be covetous, because I am generous? So those who are last now will be first then, and those first will be last."
So he said to them, 'You too go out to my vineyard, and I will pay you what is right.' And they went. Again he went out about twelve o'clock and three o'clock, and did as before. About five he went out again and found still others standing around, and he said to them, 'Why have you been standing here all day doing nothing?' They answered him, 'Because nobody has hired us.' He said to them, 'You too go out to my vineyard.' "When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, 'Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last and ending with the first.' And they who had been hired at five o'clock came and received twenty cents each. And those who were hired first, when they came, supposed that they would receive more, but they too received twenty cents each. And as they received it, they began to grumble against the owner of the estate, and say, 'These last worked only one hour, and yet you have put them on the same footing with us who have borne the heavy burdens and scorching heat of the day.' But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no injustice. Did you not contract with me at twenty cents? Take what belongs to you and go. I want to give this man hired last as much as I do you. Have I not the right to do what I please with my own money? Or, is your eye causing you to be covetous, because I am generous? So those who are last now will be first then, and those first will be last."
He told them another story, as follows: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed seed in his field. But while the world was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed wild wheat seed in the midst of the good seed, and went away. And when the wheat plants grew up and yielded their ripened grain, the wild wheat plants appeared too. read more.
And the farmer's slaves came up to him and said, 'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Then where did the wild wheat plants come from?' He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' Then they said to him, 'Do you want us, then, to go and gather them?' And he said, 'No, never, for while you are gathering the wild wheat plants you might root up the good ones with them. Let them both grow together until harvest time, and at the harvest time I will order the reapers, "Gather first the wild wheat plants and tie them into bundles to be burned up, but get the wheat into my barn."'" He told them this story, as follows: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it is grown it is the largest of plants; yea, it grows into a tree, so that the wild birds come and roost in its branches." He told another story: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to yeast which a woman took and worked into a bushel of flour until it all had risen." Jesus told the crowds all this in stories, and without a story He told them nothing, to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: "I will open my mouth in stories, I will utter truths concealed since creation." Then He left the crowds and went into His house. And His disciples came up to Him and said, "Explain to us the story of the wild wheat in the field." And He answered: "The sower of the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world; the good seed are the members of the kingdom; the wild wheat seed are the followers of the wicked one. The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the close of the age, the reapers are angels. Just as the wild wheat plants are gathered and burned up, so it will be at the close of the age. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all those who cause wrongdoing, and the wrongdoers, and will throw them into the furnace of torturing punishment; there they will wail and grind their teeth. Then the upright will shine out like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let him who has ears listen! "The kingdom of heaven is like a pot of gold which was buried in a field, which a man found and buried again; and for joy over it he went and sold all he had and bought that field. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a gem-dealer who was looking for beautiful pearls. One day he found a very costly pearl, and he went and sold all he had and bought it. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was let down into the sea, and gathered fish of every kind, which, when it was full, the fishermen drew up on the shore, and sat down and picked out the good fish for their baskets and threw the bad away. So it will be at the close of the age; the angels will go out and separate the wicked from the upright, and will throw them into the furnace of torturing punishment. There they will wail and grind their teeth. "Do you understand all these stories?" They answered Him, "Yes." He said to them, "Every scribe who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who can bring out of his storeroom new furnishings as well as old."
And the farmer's slaves came up to him and said, 'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Then where did the wild wheat plants come from?' He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' Then they said to him, 'Do you want us, then, to go and gather them?' And he said, 'No, never, for while you are gathering the wild wheat plants you might root up the good ones with them. Let them both grow together until harvest time, and at the harvest time I will order the reapers, "Gather first the wild wheat plants and tie them into bundles to be burned up, but get the wheat into my barn."'" He told them this story, as follows: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it is grown it is the largest of plants; yea, it grows into a tree, so that the wild birds come and roost in its branches." He told another story: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to yeast which a woman took and worked into a bushel of flour until it all had risen." Jesus told the crowds all this in stories, and without a story He told them nothing, to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: "I will open my mouth in stories, I will utter truths concealed since creation." Then He left the crowds and went into His house. And His disciples came up to Him and said, "Explain to us the story of the wild wheat in the field." And He answered: "The sower of the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world; the good seed are the members of the kingdom; the wild wheat seed are the followers of the wicked one. The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the close of the age, the reapers are angels. Just as the wild wheat plants are gathered and burned up, so it will be at the close of the age. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all those who cause wrongdoing, and the wrongdoers, and will throw them into the furnace of torturing punishment; there they will wail and grind their teeth. Then the upright will shine out like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let him who has ears listen! "The kingdom of heaven is like a pot of gold which was buried in a field, which a man found and buried again; and for joy over it he went and sold all he had and bought that field. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a gem-dealer who was looking for beautiful pearls. One day he found a very costly pearl, and he went and sold all he had and bought it. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was let down into the sea, and gathered fish of every kind, which, when it was full, the fishermen drew up on the shore, and sat down and picked out the good fish for their baskets and threw the bad away. So it will be at the close of the age; the angels will go out and separate the wicked from the upright, and will throw them into the furnace of torturing punishment. There they will wail and grind their teeth. "Do you understand all these stories?" They answered Him, "Yes." He said to them, "Every scribe who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who can bring out of his storeroom new furnishings as well as old."
So the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who decided to settle up his accounts with his slaves, And when he began, a man was brought to him who owed him ten million dollars. And because he could not pay it, his master ordered him to be sold, yea, even his wife and children and all he had, and payment to be made. read more.
So the slave fell down at his feet and pleaded, 'Give me time, and I will pay you every cent of it.' And his master's heart was moved with pity, and he let the slave go free with his debt cancelled. "But that slave went out and found one of his fellow-slaves who owed him twenty dollars, and he caught him by the throat and began to choke him, demanding, 'Pay me what you owe me!' "And his fellow-slave fell down before him and pleaded, 'Give me time, and I will pay you.' But he refused and went out and had him put in jail until he should pay the debt. "When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly troubled, and went and reported all that happened to their master. Then his master called to him, and said, 'I cancelled all that huge debt of yours, because you pleaded with me to do so. Ought you not to have shown mercy to your fellow-slave, as I too had done for you?' And the master was enraged and turned him over to the official torturers, until he should pay the whole debt. This is the way my heavenly Father too will deal with you, if you do not, each one, heartily forgive your brother."
So the slave fell down at his feet and pleaded, 'Give me time, and I will pay you every cent of it.' And his master's heart was moved with pity, and he let the slave go free with his debt cancelled. "But that slave went out and found one of his fellow-slaves who owed him twenty dollars, and he caught him by the throat and began to choke him, demanding, 'Pay me what you owe me!' "And his fellow-slave fell down before him and pleaded, 'Give me time, and I will pay you.' But he refused and went out and had him put in jail until he should pay the debt. "When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly troubled, and went and reported all that happened to their master. Then his master called to him, and said, 'I cancelled all that huge debt of yours, because you pleaded with me to do so. Ought you not to have shown mercy to your fellow-slave, as I too had done for you?' And the master was enraged and turned him over to the official torturers, until he should pay the whole debt. This is the way my heavenly Father too will deal with you, if you do not, each one, heartily forgive your brother."
But one of the fellow-guests heard this, and said to Him, "Happy will be the man who is fortunate enough to be at the feast in the kingdom of God." Then Jesus said to him: "Once a man was giving a great dinner and invited many people to it. And at the dinner hour he sent his slave to say to the invited guests, 'Come, for it is now ready.' read more.
But they all in the same attitude began to excuse themselves. The first one said, 'I have just bought a piece of land and I must go and look it over. Please excuse me.' Another said, 'I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I am on my way to try them. Please excuse me.' Another said, 'I have just gotten married, and so I cannot come.' So the slave returned and reported these answers to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his slave, 'Hurry out into the streets and lanes of the city and bring in here the poor, the maimed, the crippled, and the blind.' Then the slave said, 'Sir, what you ordered has been done, and still there is room.' "Then the master said to his slave, 'Go out on the roads and by the hedges and make the people come in, so that my house may be filled. For I tell you, not one of those people who were invited shall get a taste of my dinner!'"
But they all in the same attitude began to excuse themselves. The first one said, 'I have just bought a piece of land and I must go and look it over. Please excuse me.' Another said, 'I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I am on my way to try them. Please excuse me.' Another said, 'I have just gotten married, and so I cannot come.' So the slave returned and reported these answers to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his slave, 'Hurry out into the streets and lanes of the city and bring in here the poor, the maimed, the crippled, and the blind.' Then the slave said, 'Sir, what you ordered has been done, and still there is room.' "Then the master said to his slave, 'Go out on the roads and by the hedges and make the people come in, so that my house may be filled. For I tell you, not one of those people who were invited shall get a taste of my dinner!'"
"Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were thoughtless and five were thoughtful, for the thoughtless ones took their lamps but took no oil with them. read more.
But the thoughtful ones not only took their lamps but also extra oil in their oil cans. While the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and dropped off to sleep. But at midnight there was a shout, 'Here comes the bridegroom! Go out to meet him!' Then all those bridesmaids awoke and trimmed their lamp-wicks. And the thoughtless ones said to the thoughtful ones, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the thoughtful ones answered, 'No, no, there may not be enough for you and us. Go to the store and buy your own oil.' And while they were going to buy it, the bridegroom came, and the bridesmaids that were ready went in with him to the wedding reception; and the door was closed. At last the rest of the bridesmaids came, and kept begging, 'Master, master, open the door for us!' But he answered, 'I positively say to you, I do not know you.' So you must keep on watching, for you do not know either the day or the hour. "For it is just like a man who was going on a long journey from his homeland, who called to him his slaves and turned his property over to them. He gave one five thousand dollars, another two thousand, another one thousand, to each in accordance with his ability. Then he started on his long journey. The man who had received the five thousand dollars at once went out and invested it, and made five thousand more. In the same way the man who had received the two thousand made two thousand more. But the man who had received the one thousand went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master's money. After a long time the master of those slaves came back and settled accounts with them. The man who had received the five thousand dollars came up and brought him five thousand more, saying, 'You turned over to me five thousand dollars; here are five thousand more I made.' His master said to him 'Well done, my good and faithful slave, you have been faithful in the use of a small amount; I will put you in charge of a larger one. Come, share your master's joy!' Then the man who had received the two thousand came up and said, 'Master, you turned over to me two thousand dollars; here are two thousand more I made.' His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful slave, you have been faithful in the use of a small amount; I will put you in charge of a larger one. Come, share your master's joy!' Then the man who had received the one thousand came up and said, 'Master, I knew you were a hard man, who reaped where you had not sown, who gathered where you had not threshed. So I was afraid, and went off and buried your thousand dollars in the ground. Here is your money.' His master answered him, 'You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reaped where I had not sown and gathered where I had not threshed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, so that when I came back I could have collected my principal with interest. So take the thousand dollars away from him and give it to him who has ten thousand. For the man who has will have more given to him, even till it overflows, but from the man who has nothing even what he has will be taken away. And throw the good-for-nothing slave out into the darkness on the outside, where he will weep and grind his teeth.'
But the thoughtful ones not only took their lamps but also extra oil in their oil cans. While the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and dropped off to sleep. But at midnight there was a shout, 'Here comes the bridegroom! Go out to meet him!' Then all those bridesmaids awoke and trimmed their lamp-wicks. And the thoughtless ones said to the thoughtful ones, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the thoughtful ones answered, 'No, no, there may not be enough for you and us. Go to the store and buy your own oil.' And while they were going to buy it, the bridegroom came, and the bridesmaids that were ready went in with him to the wedding reception; and the door was closed. At last the rest of the bridesmaids came, and kept begging, 'Master, master, open the door for us!' But he answered, 'I positively say to you, I do not know you.' So you must keep on watching, for you do not know either the day or the hour. "For it is just like a man who was going on a long journey from his homeland, who called to him his slaves and turned his property over to them. He gave one five thousand dollars, another two thousand, another one thousand, to each in accordance with his ability. Then he started on his long journey. The man who had received the five thousand dollars at once went out and invested it, and made five thousand more. In the same way the man who had received the two thousand made two thousand more. But the man who had received the one thousand went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master's money. After a long time the master of those slaves came back and settled accounts with them. The man who had received the five thousand dollars came up and brought him five thousand more, saying, 'You turned over to me five thousand dollars; here are five thousand more I made.' His master said to him 'Well done, my good and faithful slave, you have been faithful in the use of a small amount; I will put you in charge of a larger one. Come, share your master's joy!' Then the man who had received the two thousand came up and said, 'Master, you turned over to me two thousand dollars; here are two thousand more I made.' His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful slave, you have been faithful in the use of a small amount; I will put you in charge of a larger one. Come, share your master's joy!' Then the man who had received the one thousand came up and said, 'Master, I knew you were a hard man, who reaped where you had not sown, who gathered where you had not threshed. So I was afraid, and went off and buried your thousand dollars in the ground. Here is your money.' His master answered him, 'You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reaped where I had not sown and gathered where I had not threshed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, so that when I came back I could have collected my principal with interest. So take the thousand dollars away from him and give it to him who has ten thousand. For the man who has will have more given to him, even till it overflows, but from the man who has nothing even what he has will be taken away. And throw the good-for-nothing slave out into the darkness on the outside, where he will weep and grind his teeth.'
"The kingdom of heaven is like a king, who gave a wedding reception for his son. And he sent his slaves to summon those who had been invited to the wedding reception, but they refused to come. A second time he sent other slaves, and said to them, 'Tell the invited guests that I have my reception all ready, my bullocks and fatlings are butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding reception!' read more.
But they paid no attention to it, but went off, one to his farm, another to his place of business, and the rest seized his slaves, treated them with violence, and murdered them. Then the king was enraged, and sent his soldiers to put those murderers to death and burned their city. After that he said to his slaves, 'My wedding reception is ready, but those invited have proved unworthy. So go out to the country crossroads and invite everybody you find to my wedding reception.' And those slaves went out into the roads and gathered everybody they found, both good and bad, and the bridal-hall was packed with guests. But when the king came in to take a look at the guests, he saw there a man who did not have on a wedding suit. So he said to him, 'My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding suit on?' But his lips were sealed. Then the king said to his attendants, 'Tie him hand and foot and throw him out into the darkness on the outside, where he will have to weep and grind his teeth.' For many are invited, but few are selected."
But they paid no attention to it, but went off, one to his farm, another to his place of business, and the rest seized his slaves, treated them with violence, and murdered them. Then the king was enraged, and sent his soldiers to put those murderers to death and burned their city. After that he said to his slaves, 'My wedding reception is ready, but those invited have proved unworthy. So go out to the country crossroads and invite everybody you find to my wedding reception.' And those slaves went out into the roads and gathered everybody they found, both good and bad, and the bridal-hall was packed with guests. But when the king came in to take a look at the guests, he saw there a man who did not have on a wedding suit. So he said to him, 'My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding suit on?' But his lips were sealed. Then the king said to his attendants, 'Tie him hand and foot and throw him out into the darkness on the outside, where he will have to weep and grind his teeth.' For many are invited, but few are selected."
Then He put a question to them: "A lamp is not brought to be put under a peck-measure or under a bed, is it? Is it not rather to be put on the lamp-stand? For nothing is ever hidden by people except for the purpose of having it known, and people do not keep secrets except to tell them. If anyone has ears let him listen!" read more.
And He was saying to them: "Take care what you hear. The measure you give will come back to you, and more besides. For whoever has will have more given to him, but whoever has nothing, even what he has will be taken away." He also was saying: "The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed on the ground, then continues sleeping by night and getting up by day, while the seed sprouts and comes up without his knowing how. The ground of itself produces, first the stalk, then the head; at last there is the matured grain of wheat in the head. But as soon as the crop Will permit it, he puts in the sickle, for the reaping time has come." Then He kept on saying: "How can I further picture the kingdom of God, or by what story can I illustrate it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all seeds, but when it is properly sown, it comes up and grows to be the largest of all the plants, and produces branches so large that the wild birds can roost under its shade." With many stories like these He kept on telling them the message, as far as they could understand it. He did not tell them anything except by stories, but to His own disciples He kept on privately explaining everything.
And He was saying to them: "Take care what you hear. The measure you give will come back to you, and more besides. For whoever has will have more given to him, but whoever has nothing, even what he has will be taken away." He also was saying: "The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed on the ground, then continues sleeping by night and getting up by day, while the seed sprouts and comes up without his knowing how. The ground of itself produces, first the stalk, then the head; at last there is the matured grain of wheat in the head. But as soon as the crop Will permit it, he puts in the sickle, for the reaping time has come." Then He kept on saying: "How can I further picture the kingdom of God, or by what story can I illustrate it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all seeds, but when it is properly sown, it comes up and grows to be the largest of all the plants, and produces branches so large that the wild birds can roost under its shade." With many stories like these He kept on telling them the message, as far as they could understand it. He did not tell them anything except by stories, but to His own disciples He kept on privately explaining everything.
So He went on to say, "What is the kingdom of God like? To what may I compare it? It is like a mustard seed which a man took and dropped in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the wild birds roosted in its branches." And again He said, "To what may I compare the kingdom of God? read more.
It is like yeast which a woman took and hid in a bushel of flour until it all had risen."
It is like yeast which a woman took and hid in a bushel of flour until it all had risen."
Kingdom of heaven » Compared » To a king who called his servants for a reckoning (an audit)
So the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who decided to settle up his accounts with his slaves, And when he began, a man was brought to him who owed him ten million dollars. And because he could not pay it, his master ordered him to be sold, yea, even his wife and children and all he had, and payment to be made. read more.
So the slave fell down at his feet and pleaded, 'Give me time, and I will pay you every cent of it.' And his master's heart was moved with pity, and he let the slave go free with his debt cancelled. "But that slave went out and found one of his fellow-slaves who owed him twenty dollars, and he caught him by the throat and began to choke him, demanding, 'Pay me what you owe me!' "And his fellow-slave fell down before him and pleaded, 'Give me time, and I will pay you.' But he refused and went out and had him put in jail until he should pay the debt. "When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly troubled, and went and reported all that happened to their master. Then his master called to him, and said, 'I cancelled all that huge debt of yours, because you pleaded with me to do so. Ought you not to have shown mercy to your fellow-slave, as I too had done for you?' And the master was enraged and turned him over to the official torturers, until he should pay the whole debt. This is the way my heavenly Father too will deal with you, if you do not, each one, heartily forgive your brother."
So the slave fell down at his feet and pleaded, 'Give me time, and I will pay you every cent of it.' And his master's heart was moved with pity, and he let the slave go free with his debt cancelled. "But that slave went out and found one of his fellow-slaves who owed him twenty dollars, and he caught him by the throat and began to choke him, demanding, 'Pay me what you owe me!' "And his fellow-slave fell down before him and pleaded, 'Give me time, and I will pay you.' But he refused and went out and had him put in jail until he should pay the debt. "When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly troubled, and went and reported all that happened to their master. Then his master called to him, and said, 'I cancelled all that huge debt of yours, because you pleaded with me to do so. Ought you not to have shown mercy to your fellow-slave, as I too had done for you?' And the master was enraged and turned him over to the official torturers, until he should pay the whole debt. This is the way my heavenly Father too will deal with you, if you do not, each one, heartily forgive your brother."
Parables » Parables of Christ » Unmerciful servant
So the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who decided to settle up his accounts with his slaves, And when he began, a man was brought to him who owed him ten million dollars. And because he could not pay it, his master ordered him to be sold, yea, even his wife and children and all he had, and payment to be made. read more.
So the slave fell down at his feet and pleaded, 'Give me time, and I will pay you every cent of it.' And his master's heart was moved with pity, and he let the slave go free with his debt cancelled. "But that slave went out and found one of his fellow-slaves who owed him twenty dollars, and he caught him by the throat and began to choke him, demanding, 'Pay me what you owe me!' "And his fellow-slave fell down before him and pleaded, 'Give me time, and I will pay you.' But he refused and went out and had him put in jail until he should pay the debt. "When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly troubled, and went and reported all that happened to their master. Then his master called to him, and said, 'I cancelled all that huge debt of yours, because you pleaded with me to do so. Ought you not to have shown mercy to your fellow-slave, as I too had done for you?' And the master was enraged and turned him over to the official torturers, until he should pay the whole debt. This is the way my heavenly Father too will deal with you, if you do not, each one, heartily forgive your brother."
So the slave fell down at his feet and pleaded, 'Give me time, and I will pay you every cent of it.' And his master's heart was moved with pity, and he let the slave go free with his debt cancelled. "But that slave went out and found one of his fellow-slaves who owed him twenty dollars, and he caught him by the throat and began to choke him, demanding, 'Pay me what you owe me!' "And his fellow-slave fell down before him and pleaded, 'Give me time, and I will pay you.' But he refused and went out and had him put in jail until he should pay the debt. "When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly troubled, and went and reported all that happened to their master. Then his master called to him, and said, 'I cancelled all that huge debt of yours, because you pleaded with me to do so. Ought you not to have shown mercy to your fellow-slave, as I too had done for you?' And the master was enraged and turned him over to the official torturers, until he should pay the whole debt. This is the way my heavenly Father too will deal with you, if you do not, each one, heartily forgive your brother."
Punishments » Secondary kinds of » Torturing
And the master was enraged and turned him over to the official torturers, until he should pay the whole debt.
Verse Concepts
They were stoned to death, they were tortured to death, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. With nothing on their bodies but skins of sheep or goats they wandered here and there, destitute, oppressed, mistreated --
Verse Concepts