Devine Scripture

Luke 7:43

What does Luke 7:43 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 7:43 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 7:43 means

Simon, responding correctly, stated, 'He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most.' Jesus then affirmed Simon's judgment, saying, 'Thou hast rightly judged.' This agreement validates the logical conclusion drawn from the parable and confirms the principle that the depth of one's love is often proportionate to the perceived magnitude of their forgiveness. Simon's correct answer set him up for Jesus' pointed application.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Simon answered and said, He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Simon answered and said, He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Simon, in answer, said, It seems he whose debt was greater. And he said, Your decision is right.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Simon answering said, `I suppose that to whom he forgave the more;' and he said to him, `Rightly thou didst judge.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Simon answering, said: I suppose that he to whom he forgave most. And he said to him: Thou hast judged rightly.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Simon answering said, I suppose he to whom he forgave the most. And he said to him, Thou hast rightly judged.

Context

This verse presents Simon's correct answer to Jesus' parable question and Jesus' affirmation of his judgment. It directly follows Jesus' question, demonstrating that Simon intellectually grasped the principle of the parable, which makes Jesus' subsequent application to Simon's own spiritual condition even more piercing and revelatory.

v.42When they had not wherewith to pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?

v.43This passage

v.44And turning to the woman, he said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thy house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath wetted my feet with her tears, and wiped them with her hair.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Timothy 1:13

    though I was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: howbeit I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief;

  • 1 Corinthians 15:9

    For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

  • Psalms 116:16

    O Jehovah, truly I am thy servant: I am thy servant, the son of thy handmaid; Thou hast loosed my bonds.

  • Luke 7:47

    Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:14

    For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that one died for all, therefore all died;

  • Luke 10:38

    Now as they went on their way, he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

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