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Mat_5:25 f. The precept, to be reconciled with the injured person in order not to be cast into hell by God the judge, is made clear by the prudential doctrine of satisfying a creditor in order not to become liable to imprisonment. To abide merely by the prudential doctrine itself which the words convey (Theophylact, Vatablus, and others, including Paulus), is opposed to the context (Mat_5:21-24); to take the φυλακή , however, as the representation of purgatory (many Catholics, not Schegg), or of Sheol (not Gehenna) (Olshausen), is forbidden by the idea of the judgment which also excludes the vague and indefinite “transference of that which is destructive for the external life to that which is destructive in a higher sense” (de Wette). Luk_12:58 has the precept in quite a different connection; but this does not justify us in not regarding it in the present passage as belonging to it (Pott, Kuinoel, Neander, Bleek, Holtzmann, Weiss, and others), since it may be given here and there as a popular symbolical proverb; while precisely here it is most clearly and simply appropriate to the connection.
εὐνοῶν ] be well disposed—that is, inclined to satisfy him by making payment or composition.
τῷ ἀντιδίκῳ σου ] The opponent (in a lawsuit) is to be conceived of as a creditor (Mat_5:26). The injured brother is intended; comp. Mat_5:23. Explanations of the Fathers referring it to the devil (Clement of Alexandria), to God (Augustine), to the conscience (Euth. Zigabenus), see in Tholuck.
ταχύ ] without delay, without putting off, Mat_28:7 f.; Joh_11:29; Rev_2:16. “Tarda est superbia cordis ad deprecandum et satisfaciendum,” Bengel.
ἕως ὅτου ] If by ταχύ it was intimated that the compliance should begin without delay, so it is now stated that it shall remain till the extreme termination: even until thou art with him on the road to the judge—even then still shalt thou yield compliance. Not of itself (in answer to Tittmann, Synon. p. 167), but, in virtue of the context, is ἕως the inclusive “until,” as according to the context it may also be exclusive (comp. on the passage, Mat_1:25).
The servant of justice ( ὑπηρέτης ) belongs to the representative of the legal act; and who is meant thereby, is evident from Mat_13:41 f.
βληθήσῃ ] The future, which might be dependent on μήποτε (Winer, p. 468 f. [E. T. 629]; Buttmann, neut. Gr. p. 201 [E. T. 233]; see on the passage, Col_2:8), taken independently, gives the appropriate emphasis to the tragic closing act.
In Mat_5:26 is by no means contained the finality of the condition of punishment, but its non-finality; since the ἀποδιδόναι , that is, the removal of the guilt of sin, is for him who is in this φυλακή an impossibility, Mat_18:34, Mat_25:41; Mat_25:46, etc. ἕως states, then, a terminus which is never reached. Comp. Mat_18:34.
The quadrans is ¼ As in copper, or 2 λεπτά , ¾ of a farthing (Mar_12:42); see an the Roman coins in circulation amongst the Jews, Cavedoni, bibl. Numismat. I. p. 78 ff.