Luke 7:47

Luke 7:47 is a profound statement by Jesus, delivered during a dinner at the home of Simon the Pharisee. It encapsulates a core principle of the Christian faith: that a deep experience of God's forgiveness naturally leads to a profound expression of love and gratitude. This verse highlights the transformative power of divine grace, contrasting it with self-righteousness.

Context

This verse is the climax of an incident where a woman, identified as a "sinner" in the city, boldly enters Simon's house and anoints Jesus' feet with costly perfume, weeping and wiping His feet with her hair (Luke 7:37-38). Simon, observing this, silently questions Jesus' prophetic insight, thinking, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner" (Luke 7:39). In response, Jesus tells the parable of the two debtors: one owed 500 pence and the other 50, and both debts were freely forgiven. Jesus then asks Simon which debtor would love the creditor more, to which Simon correctly replies, "He to whom he forgave most." Luke 7:47 is Jesus' direct application of this parable to the woman and Simon, explaining her actions and Simon's lack thereof.

Key Themes

• Forgiveness as the Foundation: The verse clearly states, "Her sins, which are many, are forgiven." This forgiveness is the primary act, a divine gift. It is not her love that earns forgiveness, but rather her love is the profound response to having received it.
• Love as a Response to Grace: The phrase "for she loved much" signifies that her great love was the evidence or demonstration of the great forgiveness she had already received. Her lavish actions were an outpouring of gratitude for the immense mercy shown to her.
• Contrast of Hearts: Jesus draws a stark contrast between the woman's humble, repentant heart and Simon's self-righteous attitude. Simon, who felt he had little to be forgiven for, showed little love or hospitality, while the woman, acutely aware of her great need, displayed overwhelming devotion.
• The Nature of True Repentance: The woman's actions—her tears, humility, and extravagant offering—are indicative of genuine repentance and faith, which Jesus later affirms in Luke 7:50: "Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace."

Linguistic Insight

The Greek word translated "for" (ὅτι - hoti) in "for she loved much" is crucial here. While it can mean "because" or "since," in this context, it functions more as an explanation of why her love was so great, rather than the condition for her forgiveness. Her great love was a consequence and proof of the great forgiveness she had received. It's not "she was forgiven because she loved," but "she was forgiven, and as a result, she loved much." This aligns with the biblical teaching that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works or merit.

Practical Application

Luke 7:47 serves as a powerful reminder for all believers:

1. Acknowledge Your Need: To experience deep love for God, we must first recognize the extent of our own sin and the immense forgiveness we have received through Christ.
2. Cultivate Gratitude: Our love for God should be a natural overflow of gratitude for His boundless mercy and grace. The more we understand the depth of our redemption, the greater our worship and devotion will be.
3. Humility in Faith: This passage challenges self-righteousness. Those who believe they need little forgiveness often show little love, while those who humbly acknowledge their sinfulness are often the most grateful and devoted.
4. Extend Grace: Understanding God's vast forgiveness towards us should motivate us to extend grace and compassion to others, just as we have received it.