And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
LUKE 7:49KJVWhat does Luke 7:49 mean?
Luke 7:49 describes how the people eating with Jesus began quietly questioning among themselves who Jesus was, since he claimed the authority to forgive sins. Their reaction shows surprise and even skepticism, because forgiving sins was understood to be something only God could do.
In this scene, Jesus is at a meal in the house of a Pharisee, and he has just told a woman that her sins are forgiven. The other guests, likely religious leaders and their associates, are not speaking out loud but are thinking to themselves. Their question, "Who is this that forgiveth sins also?" reveals their struggle to understand or accept Jesus' authority, and it highlights the unusual nature of what Jesus has just done in their presence.
The Greek behind Luke 7:49
- ἀφίησιν (aphiēsin, "forgiveth"): This Greek word means to release, let go, or forgive. In this context, it refers specifically to the forgiveness of sins, which was a divine prerogative in Jewish thought. The use of this word signals that Jesus is doing something extraordinary in the eyes of those present.
- καὶ (kai, "also"): The word "also" here emphasizes that forgiving sins is in addition to other things Jesus has done, underlining the growing sense of amazement or concern among the guests about the extent of his authority.
Why Luke 7:49 matters
- This verse highlights the tension between Jesus and the religious leaders, showing how his actions challenged their understanding of who could forgive sins.
- The question the guests ask connects to a larger theme in Luke’s Gospel: the identity and authority of Jesus, especially in relation to God.
- Luke 7:49 helps set up the contrast between the skepticism of the onlookers and the faith of the woman who received forgiveness, sharpening the reader’s awareness of different responses to Jesus.