King James Version

What Does Luke 12:58 Mean?

Luke 12:58 in the King James Version says “When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be deliv...” — study this verse from Luke chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.”

Luke 12:58 · King James Version


Context

56

Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?

57

Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?

58

When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.

59

I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite.


Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison (Ὡς γὰρ ὑπάγεις μετὰ τοῦ ἀντιδίκου σου ἐπ' ἄρχοντα, ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ δὸς ἐργασίαν ἀπηλλάχθαι ἀπ' αὐτοῦ, μήποτε κατασύρῃ σε πρὸς τὸν κριτήν, καὶ ὁ κριτής σε παραδώσει τῷ πράκτορι, καὶ ὁ πράκτωρ σε βαλεῖ εἰς φυλακήν)—Jesus uses legal parable. The antidikos (adversary, opponent in lawsuit) is taking you to the archōn (magistrate, ruler). En tē hodō (in the way, while on the road) represents opportunity for settlement before judgment. Dos ergasian (give diligence, work hard) to be apēllagmenon (delivered, freed, released).

The escalating legal process (magistrate, judge, officer, prison) illustrates increasing severity. Jesus urges urgent settlement while opportunity remains. Spiritually applied: humanity is on the way to judgment; urgent reconciliation with God is required before arriving at the tribunal. Delay risks permanent condemnation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Roman legal procedure involved preliminary hearings before magistrates who could facilitate settlements. Failing to settle led to formal trial before judges, conviction resulting in imprisonment until debts were paid. Jesus's audience would recognize this process. The parable urges settling accounts before reaching point of no return—eternal judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. What unresolved 'accounts' with God are you delaying to settle—sins unconfessed, relationships unreconciled, obedience deferred?
  2. How does the urgency of 'while on the way' challenge procrastination in spiritual matters?
  3. In what ways are you ignoring opportunities for reconciliation that may not remain available indefinitely?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Greek · 37 words
ὡς1 of 37

“When”

G5613

which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)

γὰρ2 of 37
G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

ὑπάγεις3 of 37

“thou goest”

G5217

to lead (oneself) under, i.e., withdraw or retire (as if sinking out of sight), literally or figuratively

μετὰ4 of 37

“with”

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

τοῦ5 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀντιδίκου6 of 37

“adversary”

G476

an opponent (in a lawsuit); specially, satan (as the arch-enemy)

σου7 of 37

“thine”

G4675

of thee, thy

ἐπ'8 of 37

“to”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

ἄρχοντα9 of 37

“the magistrate”

G758

a first (in rank or power)

ἐν10 of 37

“as thou art in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ11 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὁδῷ12 of 37

“the way”

G3598

a road; by implication, a progress (the route, act or distance); figuratively, a mode or means

δὸς13 of 37

“give”

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

ἐργασίαν14 of 37

“diligence”

G2039

occupation; by implication, profit, pains

ἀπηλλάχθαι15 of 37

“that thou mayest be delivered”

G525

to change away, i.e., release, (reflexively) remove

ἀπ'16 of 37

“from”

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

αὐτοῦ17 of 37

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

μήποτε18 of 37

“lest”

G3379

not ever; also if (or lest) ever (or perhaps)

κατασύρῃ19 of 37

“he hale”

G2694

to drag down, i.e., arrest judicially

σε20 of 37

“thee”

G4571

thee

πρὸς21 of 37

“to”

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

τὸν22 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κριτής23 of 37

“the judge”

G2923

a judge (genitive case or specially)

καὶ24 of 37

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ὁ25 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κριτής26 of 37

“the judge”

G2923

a judge (genitive case or specially)

σε27 of 37

“thee”

G4571

thee

παραδῷ28 of 37

“deliver”

G3860

to surrender, i.e yield up, entrust, transmit

τῷ29 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πράκτωρ30 of 37

“the officer”

G4233

a practiser, i.e., (specially), an official collector

καὶ31 of 37

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ὁ32 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πράκτωρ33 of 37

“the officer”

G4233

a practiser, i.e., (specially), an official collector

σε34 of 37

“thee”

G4571

thee

βάλλῃ35 of 37

“cast”

G906

to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense)

εἰς36 of 37

“into”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

φυλακήν37 of 37

“prison”

G5438

a guarding or (concretely, guard), the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the condition, or (specially), the time (as a division of day or nigh


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 12:58 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 12:58 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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