A Parable regarding Love & Forgiveness

A moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?

—Luke 7:41-42

The Context of the Parable

This parable is among the shortest. The context in which it was given serves as a comparison to real life. A religious man had invited the famous Rabbi from Galilee to visit him and dine with him (Luke 7:36). They reclined at the table (v 37), which means, they didn't sit on chairs at a table, like it is common in many cultures today, but rather they reclined on the floor or cusions at a low table, with the feet away from the table. A sinful woman approached Jesus, poured perfume over His feet while shedding her tears in repentance and wiping His feet with her hair (v 38). The woman had heard about Jesus, the 'friend of sinners,' who was non-judgmental and merciful to repentant people from all walks of life (see Q6). She expressed her repentance and plea for forgiveness in beautiful and powerful action of humility and love.

The religious man was rather appalled by Jesus tolerating this inappropriate behaviour of an uninvited guest in his house, a woman who was known to be 'a sinner' (v 39). The woman got on the wrong path in life and had a bad reputation among the judgmetnal religious elite at the time. Jesus responded to the reasoning of the religious host with this short yet striking parable of the two debtors (v 40-42), endinng with a question of who loved more. Simon answered, 'I suppose the one whom he forgave more'—and only right answer, of course, and the rather obvious one (v 43). Simon had understood the meaning of the parable, but did he know where Jesus was going with it? Parables are never random stories; they communicate a message!

Jesus took it to illustrate that the two debtors in the parable were the religious man and the sinful woman. He contrasted the failure of the host to provide basic needs of hospitality: water for the feet, oil for refreshing and a welcoming kiss showing acceptance, love and appreciation (vv 44-46). The sinful woman had done what the religious man failed to do. Yes, her sins were many, yet they were forgiven, 'for she loved much' (v 47). Jesus forgave her and sent her away in peace, reassured that her sins had been forgiven (vv 48, 50), much to the amazement of the people (v 49).

The Meaning of the Parable

The parable of the two debtors illustrates the debt of sin before God and the love related to forgiveness. God is a loving and forgiving God; Jesus came to express His nature. Those who are forgiven much love much. Although Simon understood the parable and gave a right answer, he failed in expressing love. Simon was the man who owed the small debt; the woman the big one. Simon, like all others, had heard of the 'great prophet' that had arisen among God's people (Luke 7:16), yet started doubting if He truly was a prophet (v 39). Surely, a prophet should know what kind of sinful woman that was!

Simon understood the meaning of the parable, but not the meaning of love. Jesus gave him a chance to consider and change—and understand the love of God. We are all sinners, to different degrees, and should not be judgmental of others, but rather merciful. The Bible is silent about any further conversation with or comment by Simon. The focus of the second part of the story Luke recorded is on the forgiveness of the sinful woman who had loved much. Her life was changed, but what about Simon's? When we are confronted with the love and forgiveness of God, even for the most undeserving, something of our deepest motive gets exposed: do we question Jesus over His forgiveness or do we appreciate His love?

After all, we are not to be proud towards others (see P9), but to love our neighbour...

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