Luke 7:41

KJV

There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.

KJV (with Strong's)

There was {G2258} a certain {G5100} creditor {G1157} which had two {G1417} debtors {G5533}: the one {G1520} owed {G3784} five hundred {G4001} pence {G1220}, and {G1161} the other {G2087} fifty {G4004}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"A certain creditor had two debtors; the one owed ten times as much as the other.

Berean Standard Bible

“Two men were debtors to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.

American Standard Version

A certain lender had two debtors: the one owed five hundred shillings, and the other fifty.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 7:41 introduces the foundational scenario of Jesus' profound parable of the two debtors, a narrative designed to illuminate the spiritual truth about the relationship between the magnitude of received forgiveness and the depth of expressed love. Presented as a direct response to Simon the Pharisee's judgmental thoughts regarding a sinful woman, this verse sets the stage by depicting a hypothetical creditor and two individuals owing vastly different sums, thereby establishing the premise for Jesus' subsequent teaching on grace, gratitude, and the transformative power of divine mercy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the account of a "sinful woman" anointing Jesus' feet at Simon the Pharisee's house ([Luke 7:36-39](/luke/7-36-39 "Luke 7:36-39 - The Anointing at Simon's House")). Simon, observing Jesus' interaction with the woman, silently questions Jesus' prophetic discernment, believing that if Jesus were truly a prophet, He would know the woman's sinful reputation and not allow her to touch Him. Jesus, perceiving Simon's thoughts, does not directly rebuke him but instead poses this parable, using a common financial scenario to address Simon's spiritual blindness and judgmental attitude. The parable serves as a bridge, moving from the specific incident to a universal spiritual principle, culminating in Jesus' direct application to Simon and the woman in [Luke 7:47](/luke/7-47 "Luke 7:47 - The Principle of Forgiveness and Love").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Judea, debt was a common and often oppressive reality. While there were laws in the Old Testament designed to prevent perpetual debt slavery and ensure release in the Jubilee year ([Leviticus 25:35-40](/leviticus/25-35-40 "Leviticus 25:35-40 - Laws Concerning Debt and Servitude")), daily life often involved borrowing and lending, with creditors holding considerable power. The denarius (`dēnárion`, G1220), mentioned as "pence" in the KJV, was a Roman silver coin, typically representing a common laborer's daily wage. Thus, "five hundred pence" was an enormous sum, equivalent to nearly two years' wages, while "fifty pence" was still substantial, about two months' wages. This financial context would have been immediately understandable to Jesus' audience, making the parable's illustration of significant, though differing, debts highly relatable and impactful.

* **Key Themes:** Luke 7:41 introduces several pervasive themes within the Gospel of Luke and Jesus' broader ministry. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Forgiveness and Mercy**, setting up the premise that God, as the ultimate "creditor," is willing to remit immense spiritual debts. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Spiritual Blindness and Self-Righteousness**, particularly as personified by Simon the Pharisee, who fails to recognize his own spiritual indebtedness compared to the woman's overt repentance and love. Thirdly, the parable implicitly introduces the theme of **Proportional Love and Gratitude**, which is explicitly articulated in [Luke 7:47](/luke/7-47 "Luke 7:47 - The Relationship Between Forgiveness and Love"), demonstrating that the depth of one's love for God is directly correlated with the perceived magnitude of the forgiveness received. This verse thus serves as the crucial setup for Jesus' teaching on the transformative power of grace over legalistic judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **creditor (Greek, _daneistḗs'_):** From *daneízō*, meaning "to lend." This term refers to a lender, someone who extends credit and to whom a debt is owed. In the parable, the creditor serves as a clear **symbol** for God, the ultimate giver and forgiver, who holds the spiritual debts of humanity. The creditor's decision to "frankly forgive" both debts ([Luke 7:42](/luke/7-42 "Luke 7:42 - The Creditor's Forgiveness")) underscores God's sovereign prerogative and boundless mercy in forgiving sin.
* **debtors (Greek, _chreōpheilétēs'_):** From a derivative of *chráō* (to owe) and *opheilétēs* (an indebted person). This compound word specifically denotes someone who owes a loan or is indebted. The two debtors in the parable represent humanity's universal state of indebtedness to God due to sin, though to varying perceived degrees. They are not merely financially obligated but morally and spiritually accountable, highlighting the concept of sin as a debt owed to a righteous God.
* **owed (Greek, _opheílō'_):** This verb signifies "to owe (pecuniarily)," but also "to be under obligation (ought, must, should)," and "to fail in duty." It encompasses not just a financial debt but a moral or spiritual obligation that has not been met. The use of this word emphasizes that the debtors were genuinely obligated to the creditor, and by extension, humanity is genuinely obligated to God, having fallen short of His standards.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"There was a certain creditor":** This opening phrase immediately establishes the central figure of the parable, the one to whom the debts are owed. The term "certain" (`tìs`, G5100) indicates a specific, though unnamed, individual, lending a sense of realism to the hypothetical scenario. The creditor's role is crucial as the one who possesses the authority to forgive the debts, foreshadowing God's role in spiritual forgiveness.
* **"which had two debtors":** This introduces the two recipients of the creditor's loans, who are now under obligation. The number "two" (`dýo`, G1417) is significant, creating a direct comparison and contrast between them, which is essential for the parable's teaching about differing responses to forgiveness. These debtors represent different types of people or different perceived levels of sinfulness.
* **"the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty":** This clause specifies the exact amounts of the debts, highlighting a stark disparity. The "pence" (`dēnárion`, G1220) refers to denarii, a common Roman coin. The first debtor's debt of 500 denarii was ten times greater than the second's 50 denarii. This quantitative difference is the linchpin of the parable, setting up the subsequent question about which debtor would love the creditor more, directly linking the magnitude of debt (and thus forgiveness) to the depth of love and gratitude.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 7:41 primarily employs **Parable** as its overarching literary device, a short, illustrative story teaching a moral or spiritual lesson. Within this, **Symbolism** is paramount, where the "creditor" symbolizes God, and the "debtors" represent humanity, particularly those in spiritual debt due to sin. The "pence" (`dēnárion`) symbolize the magnitude of sin or spiritual obligation. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Contrast** by presenting two distinct debtors with vastly different debt amounts (five hundred vs. fifty), which immediately draws the listener's attention to the disparity and primes them for the subsequent lesson on proportional love. This setup is a form of **Foreshadowing**, subtly hinting at the parable's conclusion that the one forgiven more will love more, directly addressing Simon's judgmental attitude by implying his own potential spiritual blindness to the extent of his own need for forgiveness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 7:41, as the opening of the parable, immediately establishes the theological truth that humanity stands in profound spiritual debt before God. Just as the debtors owed a tangible sum, all people are indebted by sin, falling short of God's perfect standard. This verse sets the stage for the radical nature of God's forgiveness, which is not earned but freely given, highlighting the divine initiative in reconciliation. The disparity in debt amounts prepares the listener to grasp that while all need forgiveness, the *perception* of one's indebtedness can profoundly impact the depth of gratitude and love expressed upon receiving grace. This parable ultimately underscores that true love for God flows from a profound appreciation of the immense mercy received, rather than from a self-righteous assessment of one's own perceived lesser sinfulness.

* [Matthew 18:23-35](/matthew/18-23-35 "Matthew 18:23-35 - The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant")
* [Romans 3:23-24](/romans/3-23-24 "Romans 3:23-24 - All Have Sinned and Are Justified Freely by Grace")
* [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 7:41 invites us to deeply consider our own spiritual standing before God. Are we like the debtor who owed five hundred pence, acutely aware of the vastness of our sin and the immense grace required for our forgiveness? Or are we more like the one who owed fifty, perhaps minimizing our own spiritual debt, and consequently, our need for God's boundless mercy? This verse, though a simple setup, challenges us to confront the reality of our indebtedness to a holy God. True spiritual health begins with an honest assessment of our sinfulness, which then opens the door to a profound appreciation for the immeasurable forgiveness offered through Christ. When we truly grasp the magnitude of the debt that has been canceled, our hearts are moved to a deeper, more fervent love and gratitude for God, transforming our perspective and empowering us to extend that same grace to others.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does recognizing the "debt" of our sin impact our appreciation for God's forgiveness?**
* **In what ways might we, like Simon, minimize our own spiritual indebtedness and thereby hinder our capacity for deeper love and gratitude towards God?**
* **How does understanding the concept of proportional love (loving more because we've been forgiven more) influence our daily walk and interactions with others?**
* **What specific actions can I take to cultivate a greater awareness of God's immense grace in my life?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the different amounts of debt (five hundred vs. fifty pence)?**

Answer: The differing amounts of debt are crucial for the parable's central teaching. A "pence" (denarius) was a common laborer's daily wage. So, 500 denarii represented a very large debt, equivalent to nearly two years' wages, while 50 denarii was still substantial, about two months' wages. The significance is not that some sins are "worse" than others in God's eyes (all sin separates us from God), but rather that people *perceive* their own sinfulness and their need for forgiveness differently. The one who perceives a greater debt forgiven will naturally exhibit a greater love and gratitude, as Jesus explains in [Luke 7:47](/luke/7-47 "Luke 7:47 - The Principle of Forgiveness and Love"). This contrast highlights that the depth of our love for God is directly proportional to our awareness and appreciation of the vastness of His forgiveness in our lives.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 7:41, by setting up the scenario of two debtors and a forgiving creditor, powerfully foreshadows the redemptive work of Christ. The "creditor" ultimately points to God the Father, whose boundless mercy is fully revealed in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Humanity, represented by the two debtors, stands universally indebted to God because of sin, a debt that no one could possibly repay ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). Jesus, as the Son of God, steps into this impossible situation, not merely as a lender who forgives, but as the one who pays the ultimate price for the debt. His sacrificial death on the cross serves as the full payment for the "five hundred pence" and the "fifty pence"—indeed, for all spiritual debts of all humanity ([Colossians 2:13-14](/colossians/2-13-14 "Colossians 2:13-14 - Forgiveness of Sins Through Christ")). Through faith in Him, our immense spiritual debt is "frankly forgiven" ([Luke 7:42](/luke/7-42 "Luke 7:42 - The Creditor's Forgiveness")), not based on our merit or the perceived size of our sin, but solely on His finished work. This radical forgiveness, freely offered through Christ, then compels a profound and overflowing love in return, fulfilling the very principle Jesus teaches in the parable: "to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little" ([Luke 7:47](/luke/7-47 "Luke 7:47 - The Relationship Between Forgiveness and Love")). Thus, Luke 7:41, though a simple setup, lays the groundwork for understanding the profound grace and love made possible through our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 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.

Romans 5:20

Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

Matthew 6:12

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Matthew 18:28

But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took [him] by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.

1 John 1:8

¶ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

1 John 1:10

If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Luke 11:4

And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.