Luke 12:58 Commentary and Bible Study

In Matthew 5 this same illustration is used by the Lord to teach his disciples to settle matters quickly with a human adversary; the context requires such an interpretation. The urgency of doing so is due to the difficulty of stopping the legal process once it has been set in motion. However, even there in Matthew it is an illustration which can be applied to our relationship with God: there is a need to repent sooner rather than later. But here in Luke, the context is quite different. There is no mention of any human adversary, and exhortation to settle matters quickly is best seen as urging us to repent and trust in Christ for salvation immediately. Do not continue to harden your heart in unbelief is what the Lord means. The elements of the illustration should then be related to the spiritual realm. The adversary is God; the way along which we are going is this life; the place to which we are being taken is the judgment seat of Christ; the judge is Christ, the judge of all the world; the prison is hell; and the payment of the very last mite is the eternal naturel of hell. The parable is about forgiveness, and the instruction is, seek it before the moment of death. Clear your debts to God before you have to stand before him. Since you do not know when that will come, seek it now, and ensure that your soul is safe. It fits very well with the warning of Luke 12:40.