Luke 7:42

KJV

And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} when they {G846} had {G2192} nothing {G3361} to pay {G591}, he frankly forgave {G5483} them both {G297}. Tell me {G2036} therefore {G3767}, which {G5101} of them {G846} will love {G25} him {G846} most {G4119}?

Complete Jewish Bible

When they were unable to pay him back, he canceled both their debts. Now which of them will love him more?"

Berean Standard Bible

When they were unable to repay him, he forgave both of them. Which one, then, will love him more?”

American Standard Version

When they had not wherewith to pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 7:42 is a pivotal moment in Jesus' parable of the two debtors, delivered to Simon the Pharisee. It encapsulates the profound truth that the depth of one's love for God is directly proportional to the perceived magnitude of the forgiveness received. By posing a rhetorical question about which debtor would love the moneylender more after being freely forgiven, Jesus challenges Simon's self-righteous perspective and subtly contrasts it with the lavish devotion of the "sinful woman," setting the stage for a powerful lesson on grace, gratitude, and the true nature of love.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a significant narrative in [Luke 7](/luke/7 "Luke 7 - Diverse Encounters with Jesus"). The story begins in [Luke 7:36](/luke/7-36 "Luke 7:36 - Simon the Pharisee's Invitation"), where Jesus accepts an invitation to dine at the home of Simon, a Pharisee. While Jesus is reclining at the table, a woman "who was a sinner in the city" ([Luke 7:37](/luke/7-37 "Luke 7:37 - The Sinful Woman Enters")) enters and performs an extraordinary act of devotion: she weeps over Jesus' feet, wipes them with her hair, kisses them, and anoints them with expensive perfume ([Luke 7:38](/luke/7-38 "Luke 7:38 - The Woman's Act of Devotion")). Simon, observing this, silently judges Jesus, thinking that if He were truly a prophet, He would know the woman's sinful reputation ([Luke 7:39](/luke/7-39 "Luke 7:39 - Simon's Unspoken Judgment")). In response to Simon's unspoken thoughts, Jesus tells the parable of two debtors—one owing a large sum, the other a smaller amount—both of whom are "frankly forgave[n]" by their creditor when they have nothing to pay ([Luke 7:41](/luke/7-41 "Luke 7:41 - The Parable of the Two Debtors")). Luke 7:42 is Jesus' direct question to Simon, forcing him to engage with the parable's core message.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is a dinner party in a Pharisee's home, a common scene in the Gospels where Jesus often challenged the religious elite. Pharisees were known for their strict adherence to the Law and their emphasis on ritual purity, often leading to a sense of self-righteousness and disdain for those considered "sinners." Simon's internal judgment of Jesus and the woman reflects this cultural attitude. Hospitality in the ancient Near East was highly valued, involving specific courtesies like offering water for feet, a welcoming kiss, and anointing with oil. Simon's omission of these courtesies towards Jesus, contrasted with the woman's extravagant acts, highlights his lack of true honor for his guest. The concept of debt was also prevalent, with inability to pay often leading to servitude or imprisonment. The parable's depiction of a moneylender "frankly forgiv[ing]" debts underscores a radical act of grace, challenging the transactional nature of human justice and societal expectations.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme is **Divine Forgiveness**, presented as a gratuitous act of grace, not earned by merit or ability to repay. This forgiveness then elicits a proportionate **Love as a Response to Grace**. The parable teaches that the depth of one's love for God is directly tied to the perceived magnitude of the forgiveness received. Those who recognize their immense spiritual debt and God's boundless pardon will respond with profound gratitude and devotion. Conversely, those who, like Simon, feel little need for forgiveness will demonstrate little love. This implicitly highlights the stark contrast between **Humility vs. Self-Righteousness**, showcasing the repentant heart of the "sinful woman" against Simon's judgmental pride. Ultimately, the passage also subtly underscores **Jesus' Authority to Forgive Sins**, a prerogative that only God possesses, challenging the conventional understanding of His identity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **frankly forgave (Greek, _charízomai'_):** This verb, G5483, is derived from *charis* (grace), meaning "to grant as a favor, i.e., gratuitously, in kindness, pardon or rescue." Its use here emphasizes that the forgiveness extended by the moneylender (and by extension, God) is an act of pure, unmerited grace, given freely without any expectation or possibility of repayment from the debtors. It underscores the concept of unmerited favor, a cornerstone of Christian theology regarding salvation.
* **nothing to pay (Greek, _mḗ echō apodídōmi'_):** This phrase combines G3361 (*mḗ*, "not"), G2192 (*échō*, "to have"), and G591 (*apodídōmi*, "to pay back" or "render"). The combination vividly portrays the utter insolvency and complete inability of the debtors to meet their obligations. This absolute lack of means to repay highlights the necessity and radical nature of the moneylender's (and God's) gracious act of forgiveness. It signifies a state of complete dependence on the benefactor's mercy.
* **love (Greek, _agapáō'_):** G25, *agapáō*, refers to *agape* love, a distinct form of love in Greek thought. Unlike *phileo* (brotherly affection) or *eros* (romantic desire), *agape* is characterized by its self-sacrificial, benevolent, and unconditional nature. It is a volitional love, a choice to act for the good of another, often associated with divine love. In this context, it describes the deep, devoted, and grateful love that stems from an awareness of profound forgiveness received.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when they had nothing to pay":** This clause establishes the critical precondition for the forgiveness offered. Both debtors, regardless of the amount owed, were utterly bankrupt and incapable of settling their debts. This highlights humanity's spiritual insolvency before God, emphasizing that salvation is never earned but always received as a gift.
* **"he frankly forgave them both":** This is the central act of the parable. The moneylender's action is one of pure grace, extending pardon without any expectation of repayment. This mirrors God's gracious forgiveness of sins, which is freely given to all who acknowledge their inability to pay their spiritual debt.
* **"Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?":** Jesus' direct, rhetorical question to Simon is designed to elicit a self-evident truth. It forces Simon to apply the logic of the parable to human experience, drawing a direct correlation between the perceived magnitude of forgiveness and the subsequent depth of love and gratitude. This question sets up the powerful conclusion about the woman's great love.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. The primary device is the **Parable**, a concise, illustrative story that conveys a moral or spiritual lesson. Jesus uses this common teaching method to communicate complex theological truths in an accessible way, allowing Simon (and the audience) to deduce the principle themselves. Secondly, Jesus uses a **Rhetorical Question** ("Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?"). This is not a question seeking information, but one designed to provoke thought, challenge assumptions, and lead the listener to an undeniable conclusion. It forces Simon to confront his own understanding of love and forgiveness. Finally, there is a strong element of **Contrast** woven throughout the broader narrative and implied in this verse. The two debtors represent different levels of perceived sinfulness, and by extension, the "sinful woman" and Simon the Pharisee. The contrast highlights that those who recognize their greater need for forgiveness will demonstrate greater love, while those who perceive themselves as less indebted (or righteous) will show less. This contrast serves to expose Simon's self-righteousness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 7:42 powerfully articulates a core theological truth: the depth of our love for God is a direct overflow of our comprehension of the immense grace and forgiveness we have received. The parable illustrates that God's forgiveness is not a reward for good behavior or a transaction based on merit, but a gratuitous act extended to those who are utterly bankrupt and unable to pay their spiritual debt. This unmerited favor, when truly grasped, elicits a profound and passionate response of love, gratitude, and devotion. It challenges any notion of earning God's favor through works or self-righteousness, emphasizing that our love is a *response* to His prior, overwhelming love and mercy. The greater our awareness of the magnitude of our sin and the boundless nature of His pardon, the more fervent our love will become.

* [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love for Sinners"): "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
* [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith"): "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
* [1 John 4:19](/1_john/4-19 "1 John 4:19 - We Love Because He First Loved Us"): "We love him, because he first loved us."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse serves as a profound mirror for self-examination, inviting us to consider the depth of our own gratitude and love for God. Do we truly grasp the immensity of the spiritual debt from which we have been "frankly forgave[n]"? If we minimize our sin or perceive ourselves as relatively "good," our appreciation for God's grace and our love for Him may remain shallow. Conversely, a profound awareness of our utter inability to earn salvation and the boundless, unmerited forgiveness offered through Christ should ignite a passionate, overflowing love. This love is not merely an emotion but a transformative force that compels us to live in grateful obedience, to serve Him wholeheartedly, and to extend grace to others as we have received it. It challenges us to move beyond a transactional faith to one rooted in radical grace and responsive devotion, shaping our priorities, our worship, and our daily walk.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How deeply do I recognize my own spiritual debt before God, and my complete inability to "pay" for my sins?**
* **Does my daily life and worship reflect a love for God proportionate to the magnitude of the forgiveness I have received through Christ?**
* **In what ways might a deeper appreciation for God's grace transform my attitude towards others, especially those I might be tempted to judge?**

### FAQ
**Why does Jesus ask Simon this question rather than simply stating the conclusion?**

Answer: Jesus employs a pedagogical technique known as a rhetorical question, which is designed not to elicit new information but to guide the listener to a self-evident truth and provoke introspection. By asking Simon, "Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?" Jesus forces Simon to engage with the logic of the parable and draw the conclusion himself. This approach makes the lesson more impactful and personal, exposing Simon's unspoken judgment and self-righteousness by contrasting it with the woman's profound love. It highlights that Simon, who likely felt he had little to be forgiven for, would naturally show less love, while the woman, who recognized her great sin and received great forgiveness, would respond with overwhelming devotion. This method allows the truth about grace and love to land with greater conviction, inviting Simon to re-evaluate his own heart and understanding of God's mercy.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 7:42, though part of a parable, points powerfully to the person and work of Jesus Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of this principle of forgiveness and love. The "moneylender" in the parable is a clear type of God, and the "frankly forgave" debt foreshadows the immeasurable spiritual debt of sin that humanity owes to a holy God, a debt we are utterly incapable of paying ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned") and [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - Wages of Sin")). Jesus, through His sacrificial death on the cross, became the one who "paid" this debt in full, offering complete and gratuitous forgiveness to all who believe ([Colossians 2:13-14](/colossians/2-13-14 "Colossians 2:13-14 - Forgiveness of Sins")). The love demonstrated by the sinful woman, and by extension, the love we are called to exhibit, is not an attempt to earn God's favor, but a spontaneous, overwhelming response to the magnitude of the grace received through Christ's atoning work ([1 John 4:19](/1_john/4-19 "1 John 4:19 - We Love Because He First Loved Us")). He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), and it is in realizing the depth of His sacrifice for our immense debt that our hearts are compelled to love Him "most."

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

Psalms 49:7

None [of them] can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:

Psalms 49:8

(For the redemption of their soul [is] precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)

Psalms 103:3

Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

Isaiah 44:22

I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.

Galatians 3:10

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

Daniel 9:18

O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.

Daniel 9:19

O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.