Luke 7:41

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

Luke 7:41 introduces the core scenario of a short but profound parable spoken by Jesus. This verse sets the stage for a critical lesson about love, forgiveness, and gratitude. The parable is told to Simon the Pharisee, who had just questioned Jesus’ judgment regarding a 'sinful woman' who anointed His feet (Luke 7:37-39). Jesus uses this hypothetical situation of a creditor and two debtors to illustrate a spiritual truth about the relationship between the depth of forgiveness received and the measure of love expressed.

Context

This verse is the very beginning of Jesus' response to Simon's unspoken thoughts. Simon, a respected religious leader, was critical of Jesus for allowing a woman known for her sinful life to touch Him. To address Simon's judgmental attitude and teach a deeper spiritual principle, Jesus poses this simple yet powerful financial analogy. The parable's simplicity belies its profound spiritual implications concerning God's mercy and human response.

Key Themes

  • Debt and Sin: The two debtors represent individuals who owe different amounts, symbolizing varying degrees of sin or spiritual indebtedness before God. Both have a significant debt, highlighting that all are indebted, but to differing perceived degrees.
  • The Creditor: The 'certain creditor' represents God, who has the ultimate authority and power to forgive debts, both financial and spiritual.
  • Disparity in Obligation: The clear difference between five hundred pence and fifty pence emphasizes that while both debtors needed forgiveness, the magnitude of their debt was vastly different, setting the stage for the parable's conclusion about proportional love.

Linguistic Insights

The term 'pence' in the King James Version refers to the denarius, a Roman silver coin. A denarius was typically a common laborer's daily wage. Therefore, 'five hundred pence' represented a very large debt, equivalent to nearly two years' wages, while 'fifty pence' was still substantial, about two months' wages. This distinction is crucial for understanding the parable's impact: both debts were significant, but one was ten times greater than the other, emphasizing the varying perceived magnitudes of sin and the subsequent need for forgiveness.

Significance and Application

While on the surface, this verse simply presents a financial scenario, its spiritual depth is profound. It serves as the setup for Jesus' teaching that those who are forgiven much will love much, and those who are forgiven little will love little (Luke 7:47). For a general audience, this highlights the importance of recognizing the extent of God's grace in their own lives. Understanding the immense debt of sin that has been forgiven through Christ's sacrifice cultivates a deeper sense of gratitude and love for God. It challenges us to reflect on our own spiritual indebtedness and the boundless mercy we have received, encouraging a more profound and active expression of our faith and love towards God and others.

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Cross-References

  • Luke 7:47 (6 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

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

  • Matthew 6:12 (5 votes)

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

  • Matthew 18:28 (5 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

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

  • 1 John 1:10 (3 votes)

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

  • Luke 11:4 (3 votes)

    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.