Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 5:25

"Agree with thine adversary quickly, while thou art with him in the way; lest haply the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison." — Matthew 5:25 (ASV)

Jesus again urges haste to settle matters with an offended adversary while still “with him on the way” to court. In the ancient world debtors were jailed till the debts were paid. Jesus insists on immediate action: malicious anger is so evil —and God’s judgment so certain (v.22)—that we must do all in our power to end it (cf. Ephesians 4:26–27).