The Parable of Two Debtors: Luke 7:41
by Owen Borville
Jesus describes the Parable of Two Debtors as recorded in Luke 7:41-50 as woman began to wash Jesus' feet with ointment, her hair, and tears while also kissing his feet. The observing Pharisee Simon knew that this woman was a sinner and questioned why Jesus would let her touch him. Therefore, Jesus explained the parable of how a man who owed 50 currency units was forgiven of his debt while another man was forgiven of his debt of 500 currency units. The man with the greater amount of debt forgiven was much more grateful than the one who had less debt. Therefore, the Pharisee was like the man who had less debt and the woman was like the man with more debt forgiven. As Jesus forgave the woman for her sins, which were great, he also forgave the Pharisee, whose sins were not as great. As the woman showed her extreme gratitude for Jesus's mercy, the Pharisee showed less gratitude and therefore the Parable of Two Debtors illustrates the difference between the woman and the Pharisee.
Luke 7:41-50:
41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
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.
48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
The parable also illustrates how all can be forgiven and that God's forgiveness is available to everyone, regardless of the amount of sin or if the debt is small or great. God is willing to forgive anyone who sincerely seeks forgiveness, has faith in the power of His forgiveness, and believes that He is capable and willing to award forgiveness. Despite the woman's sin, she sincerely regretted her sins, and came to Jesus and asked for forgiveness. She also believed that Jesus could forgive her sins and he did. As Jesus proclaimed to the woman, "Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace." The Pharisee, in contrast had less sin and therefore showed less gratitude for Jesus' forgiveness. Although we do not know exactly what the woman's sins were, we known that they must have been great based on her overwhelming gratitude of Jesus' forgiveness and the Pharisee's questioning of Jesus' association with this woman. The Parable also represents the difference between the Old Covenant of the Old Testament, which was based on the Mosaic Law as applied by the Pharisee, in contrast to the New Covenant introduced by Jesus Christ based on grace, forgiveness, and love. However, this New Covenant was planned from the beginning as God knew the intentions of man and that man would need forgiveness of sins. Jesus did not change the law but came to fulfill the law. While the law was given and was established, God knew that man would be sinful and would need forgiveness, and therefore provided a method of obtaining this forgiveness. Those who believe, have strong faith, and are willing to seek forgiveness will be forgiven.
by Owen Borville
Jesus describes the Parable of Two Debtors as recorded in Luke 7:41-50 as woman began to wash Jesus' feet with ointment, her hair, and tears while also kissing his feet. The observing Pharisee Simon knew that this woman was a sinner and questioned why Jesus would let her touch him. Therefore, Jesus explained the parable of how a man who owed 50 currency units was forgiven of his debt while another man was forgiven of his debt of 500 currency units. The man with the greater amount of debt forgiven was much more grateful than the one who had less debt. Therefore, the Pharisee was like the man who had less debt and the woman was like the man with more debt forgiven. As Jesus forgave the woman for her sins, which were great, he also forgave the Pharisee, whose sins were not as great. As the woman showed her extreme gratitude for Jesus's mercy, the Pharisee showed less gratitude and therefore the Parable of Two Debtors illustrates the difference between the woman and the Pharisee.
Luke 7:41-50:
41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
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.
48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
The parable also illustrates how all can be forgiven and that God's forgiveness is available to everyone, regardless of the amount of sin or if the debt is small or great. God is willing to forgive anyone who sincerely seeks forgiveness, has faith in the power of His forgiveness, and believes that He is capable and willing to award forgiveness. Despite the woman's sin, she sincerely regretted her sins, and came to Jesus and asked for forgiveness. She also believed that Jesus could forgive her sins and he did. As Jesus proclaimed to the woman, "Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace." The Pharisee, in contrast had less sin and therefore showed less gratitude for Jesus' forgiveness. Although we do not know exactly what the woman's sins were, we known that they must have been great based on her overwhelming gratitude of Jesus' forgiveness and the Pharisee's questioning of Jesus' association with this woman. The Parable also represents the difference between the Old Covenant of the Old Testament, which was based on the Mosaic Law as applied by the Pharisee, in contrast to the New Covenant introduced by Jesus Christ based on grace, forgiveness, and love. However, this New Covenant was planned from the beginning as God knew the intentions of man and that man would need forgiveness of sins. Jesus did not change the law but came to fulfill the law. While the law was given and was established, God knew that man would be sinful and would need forgiveness, and therefore provided a method of obtaining this forgiveness. Those who believe, have strong faith, and are willing to seek forgiveness will be forgiven.
