Matthew 5:26Most certainly I tell you, you shall by no means get out of there, until you have paid the last penny.
The setting
Same Galilean hillside. Jesus' voice gets more serious as He describes the inevitable end of unresolved conflict. Modern northern Israel.
The emotion here: stern warning from deep love
The original word
kodrantes (κοδράντης) — Roman quadrans, worth 1/64 of a denarius, absolutely worthless
Why it matters
Roman debtors' prison required family to pay the debt plus court costs for release
Read with care
What most readers miss in Matthew 5:26
The 'last penny' was literally impossible for prisoners to earn — they needed outside help
Common misconceptionThis sounds like Jesus threatening hell for every small offense. He's actually describing how human justice systems work — once you're in, getting out is nearly impossible without help.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Matthew 5:26
Bible Genome reading
Matthew 5:26 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Matthew 5:26 comes from the book of Matthew, written during the gospel period. These words are attributed to Jesus. The dominant emotion in this verse is anxious, with a comfort power of 10% and a tone that is urgent. It belongs to the letter genre of biblical literature. Key themes include consequences, finality. Notable phrases: last penny; by no means get out.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same anxious
“And no wonder, for even Satan masquerades as an angel of light.”
— 2 Corinthians 11:14
“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”
— 2 Timothy 3:12
“The evil spirit answered, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?"”
— Acts 19:15
“I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?'”
— Acts 22:7
“When we had all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is har…”
— Acts 26:14
Your reflection
What does Matthew 5:26 mean to you, today?
A short note. A question. A prayer. Saved privately to your Soul Garden, dated, and tied to this verse forever.
Speak your heart →Get 3 verses for "anxious"
Delivered to your inbox right now. Free.