Verse 25
He had not to pay - That is not being able to pay. As there could not be the smallest probability that a servant, wholly dependent on his master, who was now absolutely insolvent, could ever pay a debt he had contracted of more than 67 millions! - so is it impossible for a sinner, infinitely indebted to Divine justice, ever to pay a mite out of the talent.
Commanded him to be sold - his wife - children, etc. - Our Lord here alludes to an ancient custom among the Hebrews, of selling a man and his family to make payment of contracted debts. See Exodus 22:3 ; Leviticus 25:30 , Leviticus 25:47 ; 2 Kings 4:1 . This custom passed from among the Jews to the Greeks and Romans. I have already remarked (see Genesis 47:19 ;) that in the Burman empire the sale of whole families, to discharge debts, is very common.
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