Matthew 5:25,26 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Agree with thine adversary— Our blessed Saviour here enforces the exhortation in the preceding verses, from the consideration of what was reckoned prudent in ordinary law-suits. In such cases, wise and honest men always advise the party that has done the wrong to make up matters with his adversary whilst it is in his power, lest the sentence of a judge, being interposed, fall heavy on him. For the same reason, we, when we have offended our brother, ought to make it up with him, whilst an opportunity of repentance is allowed us, and that, though our quarrel should have proceeded to the greatest lengths; lest the sentence of the supreme judge overtake us, and put reconciliation out of our power for ever. The original ισθι ευνοων, rendered agree, seems to imply not only peace, but benevolence; and therefore might be rendered, "Come to a friendly agreement." The word αντιδικος, adversary, property signifies a person who is going to law with another. The farthing, κοδραντης, was the least brass coin that the Romans had. In a figurative sense, which is that of the Lord Jesus Christ here, the prison is taken for hell, out of which the unrelenting sinner can never come, according to our Lord's declaration, because he can never be able to make satisfaction.—We are all thy debtors, O Lord, and in one sense theprisoners of thy justice; of ourselves most incapable, not only of paying the uttermost farthing, but even of discharging the least part of the debt. We bless thee for that generous Surety, who has undertaken and discharged it for us; and by the price of whose atoning blood we are delivered from the chains of darkness, and are translated into the glorious liberty of thy children! See Doddridge, Beausobre and Lenfant, &c.