30 He would not, but went and cast him into prison, until he should pay back that which was due.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
And he would not, etc. - To the unmerciful, God will show no mercy; this is an eternal purpose of the Lord, which never can be changed. God teaches us what to do to a fellow-sinner, by what He does to us. Our fellow-servant's debt to us, and ours to God, are as one hundred denarii to ten thousand talents! When we humble ourselves before him, God freely forgives us all this mighty sum! And shall we exact from our brother recompense for the most trifling faults? Reader, if thou art of this unmerciful, unforgiving cast, read out the chapter.
"All the souls that are were forfeit once,
And he who might the 'vantage best have took,
Found out the remedy. How would you be,
If He, who is the top of judgment, should
But judge you as you are? O! think on that,
And mercy then will breathe within your lips
Like man new made
Though justice be thy plea, consider this,
That, in the course of justice, none of us
Should see salvation: we do pray for mercy;
And that same prayer doth teach us all to render
The deeds of Mercy. - "
And he would not,.... Have patience with him, give him time for payment, and forbear severity at present, as he requested:
but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt; had him before a proper officer, and proved his debt, and got him sent to jail, there to lie till the whole debt was paid; which, as it discovered ill nature, severe usage, so, great ignorance and stupidity; for a prison will pay no debt: which sets forth the rigorous proceedings of some church members against their brethren, that have displeased them; who immediately bring the matter before the church, and will not be easy unless some censure is laid upon them, or they are cast out, until full satisfaction is given them, whereby oftentimes an useful member of a church is lost.
And he would not; but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt, &c.--Jesus here vividly conveys the intolerable injustice and impudence which even the servants saw in this act on the part of one so recently laid under the heaviest obligation to their common master.
And he would not. He would not even grant delay, whereas he had been forgiven.
Cast him into prison. To cast into prison for debt was once the custom in all countries.
Went with him before a magistrate, and cast him into prison, protesting he should lie there, till he should pay the whole debt.
*More commentary available at chapter level.