How did a prisoner pay back debt in 1st century prison? In Matthew 18:21-35 there is a prison that debtors go to payback there debts. Is this done by working there? Some people there are already slaves? Verse 30 of Matthew 18 says"man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt." How does he pay it back in prison? What system did they have in place to pay it back?

How did a prisoner pay back debt in a 1st century prison? In Matthew 18:21-35 there is a prison that debtors go to payback their debts. Is this done by working there? Were some people there already slaves? Verse 30 of Matthew 18 speaks of the "man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt." How would he pay it back while in prison? What system did they have in place to pay it back?