Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 18:25

"But forasmuch as he had not [wherewith] to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made." — Matthew 18:25 (ASV)

His lord commanded him to be sold, etc. By the laws of the Hebrews, they were permitted to sell debtors, with their wives and children, into servitude for a time sufficient to pay the debt. See 2 Kings 4:1; Leviticus 25:39–46; Amos 8:6.