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Luke 12:59
ESV I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the very last penny.”
NIV I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.'
NASB I tell you, you will not get out of there until you have paid up the very last lepton.'
CSB I tell you, you will never get out of there until you have paid the last penny."
NLT And if that happens, you won’t be free again until you have paid the very last penny. '
KJV I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite.

What does Luke 12:59 mean?

Jesus finishes His warning about personal conflict. A man had interrupted His training with the disciples to demand that Jesus order his brother to share his inheritance. Jesus refused and shared a parable about a man who spent all his time earning money and no time developing his relationship with God. The night the man had gained enough wealth and planned to take a break from working, he died. His money was gone to someone else and he died spiritually destitute (Luke 12:13–21).

Jesus wants the crowd to realize that the kingdom of God has come. If they have wronged anyone, they need to seek reconciliation. They shouldn't need a civil court; they should humble themselves and make amends. If they don't, their accuser will take them to court, and they'll be imprisoned (Luke 12:54–58). Once that happens, they could lose everything.

They need to stop wasting time. Only recently, Pilate murdered several Galileans, and eighteen people had been killed by a tower that collapsed in Siloam. These people didn't do anything to deserve such violence or tragedy; they had no warning. But any chance to reconcile with God is now over (Luke 13:1–5). The people of the crowd need to use their time wisely by reconciling with each other and with God. Earthly treasures and pride do no good in eternity.

Although Luke 12 is complete, Jesus' teaching here continues into the next chapter. First, Jesus talks about those people who suffered tragic and sudden deaths. Then He gives a bit of hope. God is gracious. He doesn't want anyone to die without seeking forgiveness. He will delay His judgment just a little, to give people a chance to respond (Luke 13:6–9). After this section are two that include a miracle and teachings about the kingdom of God and salvation (Luke 13:10–35; 14:1—15:32).
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