Charles Ellicott 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 — The framework of the parable was necessarily drawn from human laws, and, except for indicating the sentence of condemnation passed upon the sinner himself, there is no need to press the details as we unfold the spiritual meaning that lies below the imagery.