Jesus Tells the Weeping Woman Her Sins Are Forgivenby CBPepper
7:49Luke 7:49
And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
At a meal in the house of Simon the wealthy Pharisee, those reclining with Jesus began to question inwardly when He pardoned the woman, asking among themselves who He is that forgives sins also. Their questioning of His authority showed they did not yet recognize who He is, standing in self-righteous criticism in contrast to His mercy and to the woman's undoubting trust in His divine power. He has authority to forgive sins, as proved when He pardoned Mary Magdalene. He assures all who come to Him confessing their sins that they are forgiven, sending them forth in peace to leave sin behind, and He taught that the one forgiven more will love more. With pitying kindness rather than open shaming He opened Simon's eyes to his neglect, unbelief, and great debt, convincing his mind and subduing his heart until he became humble and self-sacrificing. As the One who forgives sins He stands ready to help all who trust Him, leading the guilty to repentance, forgiveness, and peace.
Question at Simon's Table
The saying belongs to a meal in the house of Simon, a wealthy Pharisee whose invitation was accepted. The occasion was used to teach those present, mingling in friendly company and turning the gathering into an opportunity to impart lessons suited to the hearers. In this way the meal reached people of wealth and influence, opening spiritual riches to them.
Those dining with him began to speak within themselves, questioning inwardly and privately among themselves who this is that forgives sins also. The question was prompted by his forgiving the woman, placing their reaction directly alongside his assurance of forgiveness. Their questioning of his authority to forgive shows they did not yet recognize who he is.
Their reaction sets a critical, self-righteous judgment in contrast with a merciful character. Mary trusted his divine power without doubt, while Simon doubted because he failed to recognize his own need for forgiveness and mercy.
Forgiveness, Peace, and Help
Jesus has authority to forgive sins, proved when He pardoned Mary Magdalene. He assures all who come to Him confessing their sins that they are forgiven. His words to the forgiven bring peace, with the call to go in peace and to turn from sin and sin no more.
Through the parable of the debtors He taught with tact the connection between forgiveness and love. Simon admitted that the one forgiven more would love more, recognizing that Christ must be loved most by the one forgiven most. His patient, kind correction opened Simon's eyes to his own neglect and unbelief and to the magnitude of the debt he owed his Lord. Instead of openly rebuking and shaming him before the other guests, He stated his true case to convince his mind and subdue his heart by pitying kindness, since stern denunciation would have closed Simon's heart against repentance. That patient admonition convinced him of his error and won his heart, and he became a humble, self-sacrificing man.
The salvation shown in the verse is to be shown to patients: they are to be led to repent, receive forgiveness, and go in peace, turning away from sin. As the One who forgives sins He is a friend ready to help all who trust in Him. That pardon makes Him woman's best friend, touched by a mother's woe, sympathizing with every mother in her work, hearing her earnest prayers, and ready to aid her in need if she will trust in Him.
At a meal in the house of Simon the wealthy Pharisee, those reclining with Jesus began to question inwardly when He pardoned the woman, asking among themselves who He is that forgives sins also. Their questioning of His authority showed they did not yet recognize who He is, standing in self-righteous criticism in contrast to His mercy and to the woman's undoubting trust in His divine power. He has authority to forgive sins, as proved when He pardoned Mary Magdalene. He assures all who come to Him confessing their sins that they are forgiven, sending them forth in peace to leave sin behind, and He taught that the one forgiven more will love more. With pitying kindness rather than open shaming He opened Simon's eyes to his neglect, unbelief, and great debt, convincing his mind and subduing his heart until he became humble and self-sacrificing. As the One who forgives sins He stands ready to help all who trust Him, leading the guilty to repentance, forgiveness, and peace.
Question at Simon's Table
The saying belongs to a meal in the house of Simon, a wealthy Pharisee whose invitation was accepted. The occasion was used to teach those present, mingling in friendly company and turning the gathering into an opportunity to impart lessons suited to the hearers. In this way the meal reached people of wealth and influence, opening spiritual riches to them.
Those dining with him began to speak within themselves, questioning inwardly and privately among themselves who this is that forgives sins also. The question was prompted by his forgiving the woman, placing their reaction directly alongside his assurance of forgiveness. Their questioning of his authority to forgive shows they did not yet recognize who he is.
Their reaction sets a critical, self-righteous judgment in contrast with a merciful character. Mary trusted his divine power without doubt, while Simon doubted because he failed to recognize his own need for forgiveness and mercy.
Forgiveness, Peace, and Help
Jesus has authority to forgive sins, proved when He pardoned Mary Magdalene. He assures all who come to Him confessing their sins that they are forgiven. His words to the forgiven bring peace, with the call to go in peace and to turn from sin and sin no more.
Through the parable of the debtors He taught with tact the connection between forgiveness and love. Simon admitted that the one forgiven more would love more, recognizing that Christ must be loved most by the one forgiven most. His patient, kind correction opened Simon's eyes to his own neglect and unbelief and to the magnitude of the debt he owed his Lord. Instead of openly rebuking and shaming him before the other guests, He stated his true case to convince his mind and subdue his heart by pitying kindness, since stern denunciation would have closed Simon's heart against repentance. That patient admonition convinced him of his error and won his heart, and he became a humble, self-sacrificing man.
The salvation shown in the verse is to be shown to patients: they are to be led to repent, receive forgiveness, and go in peace, turning away from sin. As the One who forgives sins He is a friend ready to help all who trust in Him. That pardon makes Him woman's best friend, touched by a mother's woe, sympathizing with every mother in her work, hearing her earnest prayers, and ready to aid her in need if she will trust in Him.