Luke 7:48

And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

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

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

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

And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

Luke 7:48 (KJV): "And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven."

Context

This powerful statement from Jesus comes within a narrative found in Luke chapter 7. Jesus is dining at the home of Simon the Pharisee when a woman, described as a sinner, enters. She weeps at Jesus' feet, washes them with her tears, dries them with her hair, kisses them, and anoints them with expensive ointment. Simon the Pharisee judges both the woman and Jesus, thinking that if Jesus were truly a prophet, he would know what kind of woman she was. Jesus then tells Simon the parable of the two debtors (Luke 7:41-43), explaining that the one who is forgiven much loves much. This verse is Jesus' direct declaration to the woman, confirming her forgiveness.

Key Themes

  • Forgiveness of Sins: The central theme is the declaration of forgiveness, highlighting Jesus' authority to pardon sins.
  • Faith and Repentance: The woman's actions demonstrate deep repentance and faith in Jesus, which preceded or accompanied the forgiveness.
  • Love as a Response: As Jesus explains to Simon (Luke 7:47), her great love is evidence of her great forgiveness received, not the cause of it.
  • Jesus' Authority: The statement implies Jesus possesses divine authority to forgive sins, a claim that often challenged the religious leaders of the time (see Luke 5:21).

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase translated "Thy sins are forgiven" is simple and direct (Aphéntai sou hai hamartíai). The use of the perfect passive indicative verb aphéntai (from aphiēmi, meaning "to send away, release, forgive") indicates a completed action with ongoing results. Her sins have been forgiven, and that state of forgiveness is now hers. This is a declaration of a spiritual reality made effective by Jesus' word.

Reflection and Application

This verse offers profound comfort and insight. It shows that forgiveness is available to those who come to Jesus in faith and repentance, regardless of their past. The woman's public act of devotion, though scandalous to the Pharisee, was a genuine expression of a heart transformed by the hope of grace. Jesus does not condemn her but offers the radical gift of pardon. The response to receiving such immense forgiveness is naturally one of deep love and gratitude. For us today, it is a reminder that forgiveness is found in Christ and that a forgiven life should be marked by love for the one who forgave us.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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