Matthew 18:28

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

But that [same] servant went out and found one of his fellow-servants who owed him a small sum of money [Note: The amount was about 100 twelve hour days of a farm laborer’s pay or about $10,800 in 2005]. He grabbed him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay [me] what you owe.’

Cross References

Matthew 20:2

When he had agreed with the workers [on wages] for the usual farm laborer’s pay for a day’s work, he [then] sent them to work in his vineyard. [Note: The coin mentioned here would amount to about $9.00, based on the average farm laborer’s hourly wage in 2005. [National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Feb. 2005]. This coin also forms the basis for calculating all other monetary references in the New Testament].

Matthew 18:27

And the master of that servant felt deep pity [for him], so released him [from custody] and canceled his debt.

Matthew 18:29

His fellow-servant fell [on the ground before him] and begged him, saying, ‘[Please] be patient with me and I will repay you [all I owe you].’

Mark 6:37

But He answered them, “You [men] give them something to eat.” And they replied, “Should we go and buy a supply of bread to give them to eat?” [Note: The amount mentioned here indicates that it was two hundred twelve-hour days of a farm laborer’s pay, or about $21,600 in 2005].

Mark 14:5

It might have been sold for a large sum of money and the money given to poor people.” [Note: The amount indicated here was equivalent to 300 twelve-hour days of a farm laborer’s pay, or over $32,000 in 2005]. And they complained about her [doing this].

Luke 7:41

[Jesus then gave this parable]: “A certain moneylender had two men who owed him money; one owed him five hundred coins [Note: The total amount was 500 twelve-hour days of a farm laborer’s pay, or about $54,000 in 2005], and the other man [owed him] fifty coins [Note: About $5,400 in 2005].

Luke 10:35

Then the next day he gave the lodge keeper two coins [Note: These coins amounted to two twelve-hour days of a farm laborer’s pay, or about $216 in 2005] and told him, ‘Take care of this [injured] man; and whatever more you have to spend on him I will repay you when I come back [this way] again.’

John 6:7

Philip answered Him, “Not even two hundred coins’ worth of bread would be enough to feed them if everyone ate only a little bit.” [Note: The amount here indicated was two hundred twelve-hour days of a farm laborer’s pay, or about $21,600 in 2005].