Luke 7:47-48
Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The phrase "her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much" isn't saying her love caused the forgiveness. Instead, her deep love is presented as the evidence that her many sins have already been forgiven, highlighting the direct relationship between the depth of our understanding of what we've been forgiven of and the amount of love we then pour out.
Jesus is dining at the home of a Pharisee named Simon, a respected religious leader. A woman known for her sinful past crashes the dinner party, anointing Jesus' feet with expensive perfume and weeping over them. Simon is disgusted, thinking Jesus can't possibly be a prophet if he doesn't recognize this woman's sinful nature. Jesus then uses a parable about debtors and creditors to show Simon that the woman's overwhelming gratitude and extravagant act of love are proof that she has been forgiven much, implying Simon, who feels he has little to be forgiven for, loves little in return.
Did this woman earn her forgiveness through her intense love, or did her love flow from being forgiven? This verse unpacks a profound truth about the order of grace.
Jesus uses this woman's extravagant display of love to prove that her many sins have already been forgiven. He's not saying her love caused the forgiveness. Instead, her overwhelming gratitude and affection are the result of recognizing the immense weight of sins that have been lifted.
Think of it like this: If you found a treasure chest, your excitement and joy (your 'love' for the discovery) wouldn't be the reason the chest appeared. It's the evidence that you found it!
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Simon the Pharisee is the counterpoint to the forgiven sinner. His problem wasn't a lack of rules, but a profound misunderstanding of his own need for grace.
Jesus contrasts the woman's immense love with the Pharisee's lack of it. He explains that it's not that Simon actually received little forgiveness, but that he perceived himself to have little need for it. His self-righteousness blinded him to his true spiritual bankruptcy.
Understand the original words
hamartia · Greek Noun
In a biblical context, missing the mark of God's standard of righteousness; an offense against God's law or character that separates humanity from Him and requires atonement.
aphiēmi · Greek Verb
To remit, release, or pardon a debt or offense. In the New Testament, it refers to the divine removal of the guilt and penalty of sin through Christ's work.
agapaō · Greek Verb
The Greek 'agapaō' refers to a selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional love, characterized by commitment and action rather than mere emotion. It is the nature of God's love toward His people.
This interaction highlights the stark contrast between the public perception of sin and God's mercy. The Pharisee, viewing himself as righteous, fails to grasp the depth of his own need for forgiveness, thus exhibiting little love. The woman, keenly aware of her past sins, demonstrates profound gratitude and love because she understands the immensity of what has been forgiven.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee and Judea
Jesus traveled throughout Galilee and Judea, teaching, healing, and gathering followers, including many who were marginalized by society.
Early 1st century AD
Pharisaic Social Customs
Pharisees were a prominent religious group who adhered strictly to Mosaic Law and oral traditions. They often maintained social distance from those considered sinners or ritually unclean.
Early 1st century AD
Jewish Concept of Debt and Forgiveness
In Jewish society, debt was a common concept, and forgiveness of debt was a significant act of mercy, often celebrated during festivals.
This passage highlights the immutability of God's love, assuring believers that nothing can separate them from His love, which echoes the profound security and depth of love experienced by the forgiven woman in Luke 7.
1 John 4:19This verse states 'We love because he first loved us,' directly aligning with the idea in Luke 7:47 that love is a response to and evidence of prior forgiveness, not its cause.
The parable of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18 powerfully illustrates the concept presented in Luke 7:47: the amount of forgiveness received directly impacts the capacity to forgive and love others, showing the severe consequences of failing to grasp the magnitude of one's own debt.
This psalm speaks of a 'broken and contrite heart' as the sacrifice God desires, reflecting the deep repentance and humility demonstrated by the woman in Luke 7, which is understood as a precursor to receiving God's mercy.
2 Corinthians 5:14The Apostle Paul declares that the love of Christ controls us, implying that the overwhelming experience of Christ's love and forgiveness compels a response of devotion and love, mirroring the woman's actions.
calvinLuke 7:36-50: "And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat."
- And one of the Pharisees requested him to take food with him; and he entered into the house of the Pharisee, and sat down at table. 37. And, lo, a woman in the city, who was a sinner, when she knew that he sat at table in the house of the Pharisee, brought an alabaster box of ointment: [236] 38. And sitting at his feet behind him, and weeping, she beg…
barnesLuke 7:47: "Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little."
Wherefore I say unto thee - As the result of this, or because she has done this; meaning by this that she had given "evidence" that her sins had been forgiven. The inquiry with Simon was whether it was proper for Jesus to "touch her" or to allow her to touch him, because she was such a sinner, Luke 7:39 . Jesus said, in substance, to Simon,…
The phrase "her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much" isn't saying her love caused the forgiveness. Instead, her deep love is presented as the evidence that her many sins have already been forgiven, highlighting the direct relationship between the depth of our understanding of what we've been forgiven of and the amount of love we then pour out.
Jesus is dining at the home of a Pharisee named Simon, a respected religious leader. A woman known for her sinful past crashes the dinner party, anointing Jesus' feet with expensive perfume and weeping over them. Simon is disgusted, thinking Jesus can't possibly be a prophet if he doesn't recognize this woman's sinful nature. Jesus then uses a parable about debtors and creditors to show Simon that the woman's overwhelming gratitude and extravagant act of love are proof that she has been forgiven much, implying Simon, who feels he has little to be forgiven for, loves little in return.
Jesus is dining at the home of a Pharisee named Simon, a respected religious leader. A woman known for her sinful past crashes the dinner party, anointing Jesus' feet with expensive perfume and weeping over them. Simon is disgusted, thinking Jesus can't possibly be a prophet if he doesn't recognize this woman's sinful nature. Jesus then uses a parable about debtors and creditors to show Simon that the woman's overwhelming gratitude and extravagant act of love are proof that she has been forgiven much, implying Simon, who feels he has little to be forgiven for, loves little in return.
"Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”" — The phrase "her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much" isn't saying her love caused the forgiveness. Instead, her deep love is presented as the evidence that her many sins *have a…
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