And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?

LUKE 7:42KJV
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Luke 7:42 (KJV)

What does Luke 7:42 mean?

Luke 7:42 describes how, when two people owed money and could not pay, the lender forgave both debts completely. Jesus then asks which of the two debtors would love the lender more as a result.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to Simon the Pharisee during a meal, using a short story to make a point about forgiveness and gratitude. The verse sets up a question for Simon, inviting him to consider the connection between being forgiven and responding with love. The focus is on the generous act of forgiveness and how it affects the hearts of those who receive it.

The Greek behind Luke 7:42

  • ἐχαρίσατο (echarisato, "forgave"): This word is often understood as "to freely forgive" or "to show grace." It highlights that the forgiveness given was not earned or deserved, but offered generously.
  • ἀγαπήσει (agapēsei, "will love"): The Greek verb here refers to deep, committed love, not just a feeling but an active response. The use of this word emphasizes the depth of gratitude expected from the forgiven debtor.
  • πλεῖον (pleion, "most" or "more"): This word signals a comparison, focusing the listener on which debtor's response of love would be greater, based on the amount forgiven.

Why Luke 7:42 matters

  • Luke 7:42 helps clarify that Jesus is teaching about the nature of forgiveness, not just financial debt, but moral or spiritual debt as well.
  • The verse sets up a key moment in the conversation, leading Simon (and the reader) to reflect on their own sense of need and gratitude.
  • By highlighting the lender's willingness to forgive both debtors, the verse underlines the generosity and impartiality of true forgiveness, a theme that runs throughout Jesus' teachings.

Where else these words appear

“both” Greek G297 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 9:17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.
  • Luke 1:7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
  • Acts 8:38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

“forgave” Greek G5483 · used in 19 verses

  • Luke 7:21 And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.
  • Romans 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
  • Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

“pay” Greek G591 · used in 46 verses

  • Matthew 5:26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
  • Matthew 22:21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.
  • Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

“most” Greek G4119 · used in 55 verses

  • Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
  • John 4:41 And many more believed because of his own word;
  • Acts 25:6 And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought.