Luke 7:48

KJV

And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} he said {G2036} unto her {G846}, Thy {G4675} sins {G266} are forgiven {G863}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then he said to her, "Your sins have been forgiven."

Berean Standard Bible

Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

American Standard Version

And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 7:48 presents Jesus' profound and direct declaration to a woman, identified as a sinner, that her sins are forgiven. This pivotal statement, delivered in the home of Simon the Pharisee, follows Jesus' parable of the two debtors, which illustrates that one who is forgiven much will love much. It underscores Jesus' divine authority to pardon sin and highlights the transformative power of grace, contrasting the woman's humble faith and lavish devotion with the Pharisee's judgmental skepticism.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climax of a deeply moving narrative found in [Luke 7:36-50](/luke/7-36-50 "Luke 7:36-50 - The Anointing Woman"). Jesus is a guest at the home of Simon, a Pharisee, when a woman known in the city as a "sinner" enters. Her actions—weeping, washing Jesus' feet with her tears, drying them with her hair, kissing them, and anointing them with expensive ointment—are acts of profound humility, repentance, and devotion. Simon's internal judgment of both the woman and Jesus (thinking that if Jesus were a true prophet, He would know her sinful reputation) prompts Jesus to tell the parable of the two debtors in [Luke 7:41-43](/luke/7-41-43 "Luke 7:41-43 - The Parable of the Two Debtors"). This parable sets the stage for Jesus' explanation that the one who is forgiven much will love much ([Luke 7:47](/luke/7-47 "Luke 7:47 - Love as a Response to Forgiveness")), directly leading to the declaration of forgiveness in [Luke 7:48](/luke/7-48 "Luke 7:48 - Thy Sins Are Forgiven") and the subsequent affirmation of her faith in [Luke 7:50](/luke/7-50 "Luke 7:50 - Your Faith Has Saved You").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Jewish society, particularly among the Pharisees, placed great emphasis on ritual purity and social standing. A "sinner" (ἁμαρτωλός, _hamartōlos_) typically referred to someone who habitually broke Mosaic Law or was engaged in a profession deemed impure, often implying a prostitute or tax collector. Such individuals were ostracized, and associating with them would defile a religious leader. Dining in a Pharisee's home was a significant social event, and the woman's uninvited entry was highly unconventional and scandalous. Her public display of emotion and anointing was a radical act of humility and devotion, especially given the cultural norms where women did not typically interact with men in such a manner, let alone touch a rabbi's feet. The anointing with expensive ointment (likely nard) was an act of profound honor, typically reserved for kings or prophets, further emphasizing her extraordinary reverence for Jesus.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme is the **radical nature of divine forgiveness**, demonstrating Jesus' unparalleled authority to pardon sins, a power traditionally reserved for God alone. This narrative also powerfully illustrates the theme of **love as a response to grace**, as the woman's extravagant love is presented not as a cause of her forgiveness, but as a direct result of having received it ([Luke 7:47](/luke/7-47 "Luke 7:47 - Love as a Response to Forgiveness")). Furthermore, the story highlights the **contrast between self-righteousness and humble repentance**, as Simon's judgmental attitude is exposed by Jesus' wisdom, while the woman's deep contrition and faith are affirmed. It also implicitly underscores the **identity of Jesus** as more than just a prophet, but one possessing divine prerogative to declare spiritual realities, a claim that often challenged the religious establishment as seen elsewhere in [Luke 5:21](/luke/5-21 "Luke 5:21 - Who Can Forgive Sins But God Alone?").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **said (Greek, _épō'_):** From G2036, this verb signifies a direct, authoritative utterance. Jesus' statement is not a wish or a prayer, but a declarative act of speaking, carrying the weight of divine authority and immediate effect. It emphasizes that the forgiveness is a pronouncement from Him.
* **sins (Greek, _hamartía'_):** From G266, this term refers to "a sin (properly abstract)." It encompasses moral failings, transgressions, and the state of being sinful. The plural "sins" indicates the totality of the woman's past offenses, all of which are covered by Jesus' declaration.
* **forgiven (Greek, _aphíēmi'_):** From G863, this verb means "to send forth," "to send away," "to release," or "to remit." In this context, it signifies the complete cancellation or dismissal of guilt and the breaking of the power of sin. The verb is in the perfect passive indicative, "are forgiven" (ἀφέωνται, _apheōntai_), indicating a completed action with lasting results. Her sins have been definitively sent away, and she remains in a state of forgiveness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said unto her":** This phrase emphasizes Jesus' direct and personal address to the woman, cutting through the judgmental silence of Simon and the social stigma surrounding her. It highlights the intimacy and immediacy of Jesus' interaction, offering grace where others offered condemnation.
* **"Thy sins are forgiven":** This is the core declaration. "Thy sins" (σου αἱ ἁμαρτίαι, _sou hai hamartiai_) refers specifically to the woman's personal transgressions. "Are forgiven" (ἀφέωνται, _apheōntai_) uses the perfect passive indicative, signifying that the act of forgiveness is already accomplished and its effects are enduring. This is not a future promise or a conditional statement, but a definitive, present reality declared by Jesus, demonstrating His divine authority to pardon sin.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Direct Declaration**, where Jesus authoritatively states a spiritual reality, demonstrating His **Divine Authority** to forgive sins, a power traditionally attributed only to God. This declaration serves as a powerful **Contrast** to Simon's internal judgmentalism, highlighting the difference between human legalism and divine grace. The simplicity and directness of the statement also lend it a profound **Impact**, conveying immediate spiritual transformation and offering profound comfort to the recipient.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 7:48 is a profound theological statement that underscores the heart of the Gospel: God's willingness to extend radical forgiveness to repentant sinners through Jesus Christ. It reveals Jesus' divine nature, as only God can truly forgive sins (cf. [Mark 2:7](/mark/2-7 "Who Can Forgive Sins?")). The woman's lavish acts of love and devotion are a beautiful illustration of the principle that those who recognize the magnitude of their sin and the immensity of the grace they receive will respond with profound gratitude and love. This forgiveness is not earned by her actions but is a gift received through faith, which then produces a transformed life of love.

* [Psalm 103:3](/psalms/103-3 "Psalm 103:3 - He Forgives All Your Iniquities")
* [Isaiah 43:25](/isaiah/43-25 "Isaiah 43:25 - I Am He Who Blots Out Your Transgressions")
* [Ephesians 1:7](/ephesians/1-7 "Ephesians 1:7 - Redemption Through His Blood, The Forgiveness of Sins")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers immense comfort and a powerful challenge. For those burdened by guilt and shame, it proclaims the radical availability of forgiveness through Jesus, regardless of the depth or nature of past sins. The woman's story reminds us that true repentance is often accompanied by humble, sometimes unconventional, expressions of devotion and a deep longing for God's mercy. Her public display of love, though scandalous to the self-righteous, was a genuine outpouring of a heart overwhelmed by grace. Our response to receiving such immense forgiveness should similarly be one of profound love, gratitude, and a desire to live a life that honors the One who pardoned us. It calls us to examine our own hearts: do we, like Simon, harbor judgmental attitudes towards others, or do we, like Jesus, extend grace and forgiveness? The measure of our love for God often reflects the measure of our understanding of the forgiveness we have received.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the woman's humble devotion challenge my own expressions of faith and gratitude for God's forgiveness?**
* **In what ways might I, like Simon, be prone to judging others based on their past or outward appearance, rather than extending grace?**
* **What does this passage teach me about the nature of true repentance and the immediate, transformative power of Jesus' forgiveness?**
* **How can the understanding that my "sins are forgiven" motivate me to greater love and service towards God and others?**

### FAQ
**Did the woman's actions earn her forgiveness, or was it a result of her faith?**

Answer: The narrative clearly indicates that the woman's actions were an *expression* of her deep repentance and faith, not the *cause* of her forgiveness. Jesus states in [Luke 7:50](/luke/7-50 "Luke 7:50 - Your Faith Has Saved You"), "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." Her lavish acts of love and devotion were a response to the hope of grace and a demonstration of a heart already prepared to receive it. Jesus' parable of the two debtors in [Luke 7:41-43](/luke/7-41-43 "Luke 7:41-43 - The Parable of the Two Debtors") further clarifies that great love flows from great forgiveness received, not the other way around. Her actions were the fruit of a repentant heart and faith, not the root of her pardon.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 7:48 is a powerful Christ-centered declaration, revealing Jesus not merely as a prophet or teacher, but as the very embodiment of divine authority and grace. His ability to declare "Thy sins are forgiven" is a direct claim to deity, as only God can pardon sin ([Mark 2:7](/mark/2-7 "Mark 2:7 - Who Can Forgive Sins?")). This moment foreshadows the ultimate means by which all sins would be forgiven: through His atoning sacrifice on the cross. The forgiveness Jesus offers here is a pre-payment, a spiritual reality made possible by His impending work. 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 His shed blood is the basis for the new covenant, where sins are remembered no more ([Hebrews 8:12](/hebrews/8-12 "Hebrews 8:12 - I Will Remember Their Sins No More")). The woman's experience is a microcosm of the Gospel: humanity's deep need for forgiveness met by the boundless grace of Christ, resulting in profound love and a transformed life. Her forgiveness, declared by the Son of God, points forward to the universal offer of salvation available to all who come to Him in faith, finding redemption and the [forgiveness of sins in Him](/colossians/1-14 "Colossians 1:14 - In Him We Have Redemption, the Forgiveness of Sins").

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

Matthew 9:2

And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.

Mark 2:5

When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

Luke 5:20

And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.