Forgiveness and Love in Luke 7:36-50
The narrative in Luke 7:36-50 recounts Jesus' anointing by a sinful woman in the house of Simon the Pharisee, illustrating the profound connection between forgiveness and love. This event follows Jesus' miracles and teachings, including the healing of the centurion's servant and the raising of the widow's son at Nain [4, 5].
The passage begins with a Pharisee inviting Jesus to dinner (Luke 7:36). Luke's Gospel often portrays Jesus having more positive interactions with Pharisees than other Gospels, suggesting that not all Pharisees were antagonistic; some were genuinely curious or interested in his teaching [8]. During the meal, a woman "who was a sinner" in the city, upon learning Jesus was there, came with an alabaster flask of ointment. She stood behind Jesus at his feet, weeping, and began to wet his feet with her tears, wiping them with her hair. She then kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment (Luke 7:37-38). This act of anointing Jesus' feet with oil is cross-referenced with Psalm 23:5, which speaks of anointing one's head with oil [2, 3].
Simon the Pharisee, observing this, thought to himself that if Jesus were truly a prophet, he would know what kind of woman she was—that she was a sinner (Luke 7:39). Jesus, perceiving Simon's thoughts, responded with a parable about two debtors. One owed a moneylender five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When neither could pay, the moneylender forgave both debts. Jesus then asked Simon which of the two debtors would love him more (Luke 7:41-42). Simon correctly answered that the one who was forgiven more would love more (Luke 7:43).
Jesus then applied the parable to the situation, contrasting the woman's actions with Simon's lack of hospitality. He pointed out that Simon had offered no water for his feet, no kiss, and no oil for his head, whereas the woman had washed his feet with her tears, kissed them repeatedly, and anointed them with fragrant oil (Luke 7:44-46). Jesus concluded, "Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little" (Luke 7:47, ESV).
The phrase "for she loved much" in Luke 7:47 is a crucial point of interpretation. Commentators generally agree that the woman's great love was not the cause of her forgiveness, but rather the evidence or result of it [6, 9]. As the Tyndale House commentary explains, "It was not that her great love for Jesus caused him to forgive her, but that the forgiveness she had already received from Jesus prompted her love" [9]. Similarly, Jamieson, Fausset & Brown clarify that "for" should be understood as "inasmuch as," or "in proof of which," emphasizing that the parable's structure supports this interpretation: those who are forgiven more respond with greater gratitude and love [6, 10]. Her extraordinary acts of devotion stemmed from the forgiveness she had already experienced [10].
Jesus then declared to the woman, "Your sins are forgiven" (Luke 7:48). This pronouncement caused the other guests to question Jesus' authority, asking, "Who is this, who even forgives sins?" (Luke 7:49). Jesus, however, reaffirmed his statement to the woman, saying, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace" (Luke 7:50). This passage highlights that true repentance and faith lead to forgiveness, which in turn overflows into profound love and gratitude. The narrative serves as an illustration of Jesus' earlier teaching in Luke 6:36, "Therefore be merciful, even as your Father is also merciful" [1]. The woman's actions demonstrate the "integrity, pity, uprightness, and the like" that are pleasing to God, as noted by John Calvin in his Institutes of the Christian Religion [7].
Sources
- Luke ““Therefore be merciful, even as your Father is also merciful. -- Luke 6:36”
- OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Ps.23.5 → Luke.7.46 (confidence: 11 votes)”
- OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Luke.7.46 → Ps.23.5 (confidence: 11 votes)”
- Luke (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Luke 7 (introduction): In this chapter we have, I. Christ confirming the doctrine he had preached in the former chapter, with two glorious miracles - the curing of one at a distance, and that was the centurion's servant (Luk 7:1-10), and the raising of one to life that was dead, the widow's son at Nain (Luk 7:11-18). II. Christ confirming the faith of John who was now in prison, and of some of his disciples, by sending him a short account of the miracles he wrought, in answer to a question he received from him (Luk 7:19-23), to which he adds an honourable testimony concerning ”
- Luke (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Luke 7 (introduction): Christ heals the servant of a centurion, who is commended for his faith, Luk 7:1-10. Raises a widow's son to life at Nain, Luk 7:11-17. John Baptist hears of his fame, and sends two of his disciples to inquire whether he was the Christ, Luk 7:18-23. Christ's character of John, Luk 7:24-30. The obstinate blindness and capriciousness of the Jews, Luk 7:31-35. A Pharisee invites him to his house, where a woman anoints his head with oil, and washes his feet with her tears, Luk 7:36-38. The Pharisee is offended, Luk 7:39. Our Lord reproves him by a parable, and”
- Luke (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Luke 7:47: Her sins which are many--"Those many sins of hers," our Lord, who admitted how much more she owed than the Pharisee, now proclaims in naked terms the forgiveness of her guilt. for--not because, as if love were the cause of forgiveness, but "inasmuch as," or "in proof of which." The latter clause of the verse, and the whole structure of the parable, plainly show this to be the meaning. little forgiven . . . loveth little--delicately ironical intimation of no love and no forgiveness in the present case.”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 59: charity. 373 373 French, “Integrité, pitié, droiture, et choses semblables;”—intregrity, pity, uprightness, and the like. In like manner, also, the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews, commending kindness and humanity, reminds us, that “with such sacrifices God is well pleased,” ( Heb. 13:16 ). And indeed when Christ, rebuking the Pharisees because, intent merely on the outside of the cup and platter, they neglected purity of heart, enjoins them, in order that they may be clean in all respects, to give alms, does he exhort them to”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 7:36: 7:36-50 Jesus’ comment in 7:35 is now illustrated by one of “wisdom’s children” (see study note on 7:35), a repentant sinner who shows gratitude for the forgiveness she has received. 7:36 One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner with him: Jesus has more positive contact with the Pharisees in Luke than in the other Gospels. He was a respected teacher and healer, so it is not surprising that this Pharisee invited him to dinner. Not all Pharisees were antagonistic—some were interested in his teaching or merely curious.”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 7:47: 7:47 so she has shown me much love: This is a better translation than the traditional “because she loved much.” It was not that her great love for Jesus caused him to forgive her, but that the forgiveness she had already received from Jesus prompted her love.”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 7:43: 7:43 the one for whom he canceled the larger debt: Those who had been forgiven the most responded with greater gratitude and love. The woman did her extraordinary act of sacrificial love because Jesus had forgiven her sins.”