Luke 7:43

KJV

Simon answered and said, I suppose that [he], to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

KJV (with Strong's)

Simon {G4613} answered {G611} and {G1161} said {G2036}, I suppose {G5274} that {G3754} he, to whom {G3739} he forgave {G5483} most {G4119}. And {G1161} he said {G2036} unto him {G846}, Thou hast {G2919} rightly {G3723} judged {G2919}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Shim`on answered, "I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt." "Your judgment is right," Yeshua said to him.

Berean Standard Bible

“I suppose the one who was forgiven more,” Simon replied. “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

American Standard Version

Simon answered and said, He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 7:43 captures the pivotal moment in Jesus' encounter with Simon the Pharisee, where Simon correctly identifies the more loving debtor in Jesus' parable, and Jesus affirms his judgment. This verse serves as a crucial bridge, highlighting Simon's intellectual grasp of the principle of proportional love in response to forgiveness, while simultaneously setting the stage for Jesus to expose Simon's spiritual blindness and contrast it with the profound, grateful love of the "sinful" woman. It underscores that true love for God flows from a deep appreciation of the forgiveness received.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 7:43 is the climax of a short, yet profound, exchange between Jesus and Simon the Pharisee, found within the broader narrative of [Luke 7:36-50](/luke/7-36-50 "Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman"). The passage immediately preceding this verse, [Luke 7:41-42](/luke/7-41-42 "The Parable of the Two Debtors"), presents Jesus' parable of two debtors, one owing a large sum (500 denarii) and the other a small sum (50 denarii), both of whom are freely forgiven by their creditor. Jesus then poses a direct question to Simon: "Which of them therefore will love him most?" Simon's answer in [Luke 7:43](/luke/7-43 "Simon's Right Judgment") directly responds to this question, leading into Jesus' powerful application of the parable to Simon and the woman in [Luke 7:44-50](/luke/7-44-50 "Jesus' Application of the Parable"). This entire pericope is strategically placed by Luke to illustrate Jesus' radical compassion for sinners and His challenge to self-righteous religiosity, a recurring theme throughout [Luke's Gospel](/luke/1 "The Gospel According to Luke").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is a dinner party at the home of Simon, a Pharisee. Pharisees were a prominent Jewish religious group known for their strict adherence to the Mosaic Law and oral traditions, often viewing themselves as righteous and distinct from "sinners." Hospitality was a highly valued cultural norm, and hosts were expected to offer certain courtesies like a welcoming kiss, water for feet, and oil for the head. Simon's omission of these courtesies towards Jesus, contrasted with the woman's lavish actions, reveals his underlying disdain or lack of respect. The presence of a "woman who was a sinner" (likely a prostitute) at a respectable man's house was highly unusual and scandalous, reflecting the social ostracization of such individuals. Jesus' willingness to engage with and accept such a woman challenged the rigid social and religious boundaries of the time, emphasizing His mission to seek and save the lost, as seen in passages like [Luke 19:10](/luke/19-10 "The Son of Man Came to Seek and to Save the Lost").

* **Key Themes:** This passage, culminating in Simon's judgment and Jesus' affirmation in [Luke 7:43](/luke/7-43 "Simon's Right Judgment"), powerfully conveys several key themes. The central theme is the **relationship between forgiveness and love**, demonstrating that the depth of one's love for God is directly proportional to the perceived magnitude of the forgiveness received. Simon's intellectual understanding of this principle contrasts sharply with his lack of spiritual application. Another theme is **Jesus' divine insight and authority**, as He discerns Simon's unspoken judgmental thoughts and uses a parable to expose his heart. This highlights Jesus' unique prophetic and divine nature, capable of knowing the inner thoughts of men, as also shown in [Mark 2:8](/mark/2-8 "Jesus Knows Their Thoughts"). Furthermore, the narrative critiques **self-righteousness and spiritual pride**, challenging the notion that one's moral standing dictates their need for grace. Simon's self-perception as righteous blinds him to his own need for forgiveness, a stark contrast to the woman's humble and grateful response to grace. This aligns with Jesus' broader teachings on humility and the kingdom of God, as articulated in [Luke 18:9-14](/luke/18-9-14 "The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **suppose (Greek, _hypolambánō'_):** From G5274, meaning "to take from below, i.e., carry upward; figuratively, to take up, i.e., continue a discourse or topic; mentally, to assume (presume)." Simon's use of this word indicates a logical deduction or a reasoned opinion based on the premise of the parable. It suggests an intellectual judgment rather than a deep, personal conviction, highlighting his detached, academic approach to the spiritual truth Jesus presented.
* **forgave (Greek, _charízomai'_):** From G5483, meaning "to grant as a favor, i.e., gratuitously, in kindness, pardon or rescue." This word emphasizes the gracious and unearned nature of the forgiveness extended by the creditor in the parable. It underscores that the cancellation of debt was an act of pure grace, not something earned or deserved by the debtors. This concept of free grace is foundational to the New Testament understanding of salvation.
* **judged (Greek, _krínō'_):** From G2919, meaning "properly, to distinguish, i.e., decide (mentally or judicially); by implication, to try, condemn, punish." When Jesus states, "Thou hast rightly judged," He affirms Simon's intellectual discernment of the parable's logic. Simon's judgment was correct in a purely rational sense, demonstrating his ability to follow the logical progression of Jesus' story. However, the irony lies in Simon's correct intellectual judgment contrasting with his incorrect spiritual judgment of both Jesus and the woman.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Simon answered and said, I suppose that [he], to whom he forgave most."**: This clause presents Simon's logical conclusion to Jesus' question about which debtor would love the creditor more. Simon's response, "I suppose," indicates a reasoned deduction, not necessarily a heartfelt conviction. He correctly identifies that the one who received the greater forgiveness would naturally express greater love. This shows an intellectual understanding of the principle Jesus is illustrating.
* **"And he said unto him, ‹Thou hast rightly judged.›"**: This clause records Jesus' immediate affirmation of Simon's answer. The phrase "rightly judged" (Greek: _orthōs ekrinas_) confirms that Simon's intellectual assessment was accurate. Jesus validates Simon's logical capacity, setting the stage for the deeper spiritual application that Simon, despite his correct judgment, had failed to grasp concerning himself and the woman. Jesus' affirmation is not an endorsement of Simon's character or spiritual state, but merely of his logical conclusion.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several significant literary devices. **Dialogue** is central, as the exchange between Jesus and Simon drives the narrative and reveals character. The **Parable** of the two debtors (Luke 7:41-42) is the primary teaching tool, allowing Jesus to present a spiritual truth in an accessible, relatable form, inviting Simon to draw his own conclusion before the direct application. There is a strong element of **Irony** in Jesus' affirmation, "Thou hast rightly judged." Simon, a Pharisee, is known for his judgmental nature, yet Jesus affirms his *intellectual* judgment while simultaneously preparing to expose Simon's *spiritual* misjudgment of the woman and himself. This creates a powerful contrast between outward correctness and inward spiritual blindness. The narrative also uses **Contrast** between the actions of the "sinful" woman and Simon the Pharisee, highlighting their differing responses to grace (or the perceived lack thereof).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 7:43 serves as a pivotal theological statement, articulating the profound truth that the depth of one's love for God is a direct overflow of the perceived magnitude of God's forgiveness in their life. Simon's correct, yet detached, intellectual judgment contrasts sharply with the woman's lavish, heartfelt devotion. This highlights that true spiritual insight is not merely intellectual assent to theological principles but a transformative experience of grace that evokes a passionate response of love. The passage underscores that all humanity stands in need of forgiveness, and a greater awareness of one's spiritual debt leads to a more profound appreciation of God's unmerited favor.

* [Luke 7:47](/luke/7-47 "Her Sins, Which Are Many, Are Forgiven; For She Loved Much")
* [1 John 4:19](/1-john/4-19 "We Love Because He First Loved Us")
* [Romans 5:20](/romans/5-20 "Where Sin Abounded, Grace Did Much More Abound")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 7:43 invites us to a profound self-examination regarding our own understanding and experience of God's forgiveness. Do we, like Simon, intellectually acknowledge the concept of grace but fail to let it deeply penetrate our hearts, leading to a lukewarm or duty-bound expression of faith? Or do we, like the woman, come to a humbling awareness of our spiritual debt, allowing the immense, liberating reality of God's forgiveness to ignite an overflowing, unreserved love and devotion? This verse challenges us to move beyond a superficial understanding of our sinfulness and God's grace, urging us to embrace the radical truth that the more we perceive our need for His mercy, the more passionately we will love Him in return. It calls us to cultivate a posture of humility and gratitude, recognizing that all we have and are is a gift of His boundless grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my understanding of my own sinfulness impact the depth of my love and gratitude for God?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be like Simon, intellectually assenting to truth but lacking a heartfelt, transformative response?**
* **What practical ways can I express a deeper appreciation for the forgiveness I have received from God?**
* **How does this passage challenge my tendency to judge others based on outward appearances or perceived righteousness?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of Jesus affirming Simon's judgment?**

Answer: Jesus' affirmation, "Thou hast rightly judged," is significant because it validates Simon's intellectual capacity to understand the logical conclusion of the parable. Simon, as a Pharisee, was skilled in legal and theological reasoning. Jesus' statement acknowledges that Simon correctly deduced that the one forgiven more would love more. However, the significance lies not in Simon's spiritual insight, but in the stark contrast between his correct intellectual judgment and his profound spiritual blindness concerning his own need for forgiveness and the woman's genuine expression of love. Jesus uses Simon's own correct logic to expose his spiritual deficiency, setting the stage for the powerful application in [Luke 7:44-50](/luke/7-44-50 "Jesus' Application of the Parable").

**Does Luke 7:43 imply that love earns forgiveness?**

Answer: No, Luke 7:43, and the broader context of [Luke 7:36-50](/luke/7-36-50 "Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman"), does not imply that love earns forgiveness. Rather, it teaches that love is the *result* or *evidence* of forgiveness received. Simon's correct judgment in [Luke 7:43](/luke/7-43 "Simon's Right Judgment") is that the one *to whom* the creditor "forgave most" would love most. The forgiveness is given *first*, gratuitously, and the love flows as a grateful response to that prior act of grace. Jesus clarifies this in [Luke 7:47](/luke/7-47 "Her Sins, Which Are Many, Are Forgiven; For She Loved Much"), stating, "Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; *for* she loved much." The "for" here indicates cause and effect, not merit: her great love was the *proof* of the great forgiveness she had already experienced, not the *means* by which she earned it. This aligns with the New Testament's consistent teaching that salvation and forgiveness are by grace through faith, not by works (e.g., [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Salvation by Grace Through Faith")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 7:43, while seemingly a simple affirmation of Simon's logic, points profoundly to the Christ-centered nature of true forgiveness and love. The "creditor" in the parable ultimately foreshadows God Himself, and the "forgiveness" extended points to the ultimate redemption offered through Jesus Christ. The one who "forgave most" is God, who in Christ, has provided the greatest forgiveness imaginable for the greatest debt—the debt of sin against a holy God. The woman's extravagant love, born of her deep awareness of her immense forgiveness, prefigures the response of all who truly encounter the saving grace of Jesus. Her actions are a living parable of how a soul, awakened to the magnitude of its sin and the boundless mercy of the Savior, responds with unreserved devotion. Jesus' affirmation of Simon's judgment, followed by His immediate application to the woman, reveals that He is the very source of this radical forgiveness and the one who inspires such profound love. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God")), and it is through His sacrificial death that the "most" is truly forgiven, enabling a love that surpasses all human expectation ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "God Shows His Love For Us")). Thus, Luke 7:43, in its subtle irony and profound truth, directs our gaze to Christ as the one who both offers infinite forgiveness and elicits an overflowing, worshipful love from those who receive it.

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 116:16

O LORD, truly I [am] thy servant; I [am] thy servant, [and] the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.

Psalms 116:18

I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people,

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.

Mark 12:34

And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him [any question].

2 Corinthians 5:14

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

2 Corinthians 5:15

And [that] he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

1 Corinthians 15:9

For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.