Lectionary Calendar
Saturday, November 2nd, 2024
the Week of Proper 25 / Ordinary 30
Attention!
Tired of seeing ads while studying? Now you can enjoy an "Ads Free" version of the site for as little as 10¢ a day and support a great cause!
Click here to learn more!

Read the Bible

New Century Version

Luke 7:47

I tell you that her many sins are forgiven, so she showed great love. But the person who is forgiven only a little will love only a little."

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Faith;   Jesus, the Christ;   Jesus Continued;   Love;   Repentance;   Salvation;   Self-Righteousness;   Sin;   Scofield Reference Index - Forgiveness;   Thompson Chain Reference - Defender of the Weak;   Love;   Love-Hatred;   Outcasts Received;   Weak;   The Topic Concordance - Forgiveness;   Love;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Creditors;   Love of Christ, the;   Love to Christ;   Parables;   Pardon;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Mary;   Parable;   Simon;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Divorce;   Forgiveness;   Grace;   Lending;   Luke, gospel of;   Prostitution;   Simon;   Women;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Ethics;   Forgiveness;   Jesus Christ;   Lord's Supper, the;   Pharisees;   Sexuality, Human;   Sin;   Thankfulness, Thanksgiving;   Woman;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Adoption;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Eating;   Magdalene;   Meals;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Earrings;   Jesus Christ;   Pharisees;   Simeon;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Banquet;   Cosmetics;   Food;   Footwashing;   Kiss;   Luke, Gospel of;   Marriage;   Martha;   Mary;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Conversion;   Ethics;   John, Gospel of;   Marriage;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Anointing (2);   Appreciation (of Christ);   Authority of Christ;   Beauty;   Brotherhood (2);   Character;   Character of Christ;   Claims (of Christ);   Consciousness;   Debt, Debtor (2);   Devotion;   Discourse;   Forgiveness (2);   Gentleness (2);   Gospel (2);   Graciousness;   Hindrance;   Ideal;   Insight;   Invitation;   Judgment;   Justice (2);   Kindness (2);   Logia;   Love (2);   Luke, Gospel According to;   Mission;   Parable;   Perfection (of Jesus);   Personality;   Power;   Premeditation;   Reality;   Reconciliation;   Reward (2);   Salvation;   Simple, Simplicity ;   Sinners;   Trinity (2);   Turning;   Wealth (2);   Winter ;   Womanliness;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Mary, Sister of Lazarus and Martha;   Simon ;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Chief parables and miracles in the bible;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Ma'ry Magdalene;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Bethany;   Forgiveness;   Gospels, the Synoptic;   Martha;   Mary;   Salvation;   Washing of Feet;   Woman;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Jesus of Nazareth;   New Testament;  

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
I tell you that her many sins are forgiven. This is clear, because she showed great love. People who are forgiven only a little will love only a little."
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Wherefore I saye vnto the: many synnes are forgeve her for she loved moche. To whom lesse is forgeven the same doeth lesse love.
Hebrew Names Version
Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little."
International Standard Version
So I'm telling you that her sins, as many as they are, have been forgiven, and that's why she has shown such great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven loves little."1 Timothy 1:14;">[xr]
New American Standard Bible
"For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but the one who is forgiven little, loves little."
Update Bible Version
Therefore I say to you, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, [the same] loves little.
Webster's Bible Translation
Wherefore I say to thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, [the same] loveth little.
Amplified Bible
"Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little."
English Standard Version
Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little."
World English Bible
Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little."
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Wherefore I say to thee, Those many sins of her's are forgiven; therefore she loved much: but he to whom little is forgiven, loveth little.
Weymouth's New Testament
This is the reason why I tell you that her sins, her many sins, are forgiven--because she has loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little."
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
For the which thing Y seie to thee, many synnes ben foryouun to hir, for sche hath loued myche; and to whom is lesse foryouun, he loueth lesse.
English Revised Version
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.
Berean Standard Bible
Therefore I tell you, because her many sins have been forgiven, she has loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."
Contemporary English Version
So I tell you that all her sins are forgiven, and that is why she has shown great love. But anyone who has been forgiven for only a little will show only a little love."
American Standard Version
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.
Bible in Basic English
And so I say to you, She will have forgiveness for her sins which are great in number, because of her great love: but he who has small need of forgiveness gives little love.
Complete Jewish Bible
Because of this, I tell you that her sins — which are many! — have been forgiven, because she loved much. But someone who has been forgiven only a little loves only a little."
Darby Translation
For which cause I say to thee, Her many sins are forgiven; for she loved much; but he to whom little is forgiven loves little.
Etheridge Translation
Therefore I tell thee, That forgiven to her are her many sins, because she hath loved much. For he to whom little is forgiven, little loveth.
Murdock Translation
I therefore say to thee: Her many sins are forgiven her, for she loveth much. But he, to whom little is forgiven, loveth little.
King James Version (1611)
Wherefore, I say vnto thee, her sinnes, which are many, are forgiuen, for she loued much: but to whom litle is forgiuen, the same loueth litle.
New Living Translation
"I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love."
New Life Bible
I tell you, her many sins are forgiven because she loves much. But the one who has been forgiven little, loves little."
New Revised Standard
Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little."
Geneva Bible (1587)
Wherefore I say vnto thee, many sinnes are forgiuen her: for she loued much. To whom a litle is forgiuen, he doeth loue a litle.
George Lamsa Translation
For this reason, I say to you, Her many sins are forgiven, because she loved much; but he to whom little is forgiven, loves little.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
For which cause, I say unto thee - Her many sins, have been forgiven, because she hath loved, much: but, he to whom little is forgiven, little, loveth.
Douay-Rheims Bible
Wherefore, I say to thee: Many sins are forgiven her, because she hath loved much. But to whom less is forgiven, he loveth less.
Revised Standard Version
Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little."
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Wherfore I say vnto thee, many sinnes are forgeuen her: for she loued much. To whom lesse is forgeuen, the same doth lesse loue.
Good News Translation
I tell you, then, the great love she has shown proves that her many sins have been forgiven. But whoever has been forgiven little shows only a little love."
Christian Standard Bible®
Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; that’s why she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little.”
King James Version
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.
Lexham English Bible
For this reason I tell you, her sins—which were many—have been forgiven, for she loved much. But the one to whom little is forgiven loves little."
Literal Translation
For this reason I say to you, Her many sins are remitted, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, he loves little.
Young's Literal Translation
therefore I say to thee, her many sins have been forgiven, because she did love much; but to whom little is forgiven, little he doth love.'
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Therfore I saye vnto the: Many synnes are forgeuen her, for she hath loued moch. But vnto whom lesse is forgeuen, the same loueth the lesse.
Mace New Testament (1729)
wherefore, I tell you, her sins, which are numerous, are forgiven; and that is the reason of all this love: but his love is less, to whom less is forgiven.
New English Translation
Therefore I tell you, her sins, which were many, are forgiven, thus she loved much; but the one who is forgiven little loves little."
New King James Version
Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little."
Simplified Cowboy Version
She loves much because she has been forgiven much. The one who doesn't need forgiving usually doesn't care that much."
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little."
Legacy Standard Bible
For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little."

Contextual Overview

36 One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, so Jesus went into the Pharisee's house and sat at the table. 37 A sinful woman in the town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house. So she brought an alabaster jar of perfume 38 and stood behind Jesus at his feet, crying. She began to wash his feet with her tears, and she dried them with her hair, kissing them many times and rubbing them with the perfume. 39 When the Pharisee who asked Jesus to come to his house saw this, he thought to himself, "If Jesus were a prophet, he would know that the woman touching him is a sinner!" 40 Jesus said to the Pharisee, "Simon, I have something to say to you." Simon said, "Teacher, tell me." 41 Jesus said, "Two people owed money to the same banker. One owed five hundred coins and the other owed fifty. 42 They had no money to pay what they owed, but the banker told both of them they did not have to pay him. Which person will love the banker more?" 43 Simon, the Pharisee, answered, "I think it would be the one who owed him the most money." Jesus said to Simon, "You are right." 44 Then Jesus turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? When I came into your house, you gave me no water for my feet, but she washed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss of greeting, but she has been kissing my feet since I came in.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Her: Luke 7:42, Luke 5:20, Luke 5:21, Exodus 34:6, Exodus 34:7

which: Isaiah 1:18, Isaiah 55:7, Ezekiel 16:63, Ezekiel 36:29-32, Micah 7:19, Acts 5:31, Romans 5:20, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 1 Timothy 1:14, 1 John 1:7

she: Luke 7:43, Matthew 10:37, John 21:15-17, 2 Corinthians 5:14, Galatians 5:6, Ephesians 6:24, Philippians 1:9, 1 John 3:18, 1 John 4:19, 1 John 5:3

Reciprocal: Exodus 32:30 - Ye have Psalms 32:5 - forgavest Psalms 103:3 - forgiveth Isaiah 29:24 - also Matthew 9:2 - be Matthew 20:16 - the last Mark 2:5 - he said Luke 1:77 - the Luke 7:41 - the one Luke 15:10 - one Luke 18:14 - went John 21:7 - when Romans 4:7 - General Romans 5:16 - but the free Romans 12:1 - by the Ephesians 1:7 - the forgiveness Colossians 1:14 - the 1 Timothy 1:16 - for a 1 John 2:12 - your

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Wherefore I say unto thee,.... Not "for this that she hath done", as the Persic version very wrongly renders it; not because she had washed Christ's feet with tears, and wiped them with her hairs, and kissed and anointed them, therefore her sins were forgiven; nor upon this account, and for those reasons did Christ say, or declare, that they were forgiven; but ου χαριν, "for this cause", or reason, he said this to Simon the Pharisee, to remove his objections, to rectify his mistakes, and stop his murmuring and complaining, by observing, that though she had been a great sinner, yet she was now not such an one as he took her to be; she was a pardoned sinner, and not that guilty and filthy creature he imagined; the guilt of all her sins was removed, and she was cleansed from all her filthiness:

her sins, which are many, are forgiven; though she was like the largest debtor in the parable, which owed five hundred pence, yet the whole score was cleared; though her sins were numerous, and attended with very aggravating circumstances, which denominated her a sinner in a very emphatic sense, a notorious one, yet they were all fully, and freely forgiven:

for she loved much; or "therefore she loved much": her great love was not the cause of the remission of her sins, but the full and free remission of her many sins, which had been, manifested to her, was the cause of her great love, and of her showing it in the manner she had done: that this is the sense of the words, is clear from the parable, and the accommodation of it to the present case, otherwise there would be no agreement. Upon relating the parable of the two debtors, Christ puts the question to Simon, which of the two it was most reasonable to think would love most? his answer is and which Christ approved of, he to whom most was forgiven; where, it is plain, that according to our Lord's sense, and even Simon's opinion of the case, that forgiveness is the cause, and love the effect; and that according as the forgiveness is of more or less, love is proportionate; and which is applied to the case in hand: this poor woman had been a great sinner; her many sins were pardoned; and therefore she expressed much love to him, from whom she had received her pardon by the above actions, and much more than Simon had done:

but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little; this is an accommodation of the other part of the parable, and has a very special respect to Simon, the Pharisee, whose debts, in his own opinion, were few or none, at least ten times less than this woman's; and he had little or no sense of the forgiveness of them, or of any obligation to Christ on that account; and therefore was very sparing of his love and respect, and even of common civilities to him.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Wherefore I say unto thee - As the result of this, or because she has done this; meaning by this that she had given “evidence” that her sins had been forgiven. The inquiry with Simon was whether it was proper for Jesus to “touch her” or to allow her to touch him, because she was such a sinner, Luke 7:39. Jesus said, in substance, to Simon, “Grant that she has been as great a sinner as you affirm, and even grant that if she had “continued so” it might be improper to suffer her to touch me, yet “her conduct” shows that her sins have been forgiven. She has evinced so much love for me as to show that she is no longer “such a sinner” as you suppose, and it is not, therefore, “improper” that she should be suffered to come near me.”

For she loved much - In our translation this would seem to be given as a reason why her sins had been forgiven - that she had loved much “before” they were pardoned; but this is clearly not the meaning. This would be contrary to the whole New Testament, which supposes that love “succeeds,” not “precedes” forgiveness; and which nowhere supposes that sins are forgiven “because” we love God. It would be also contrary to the design of the Saviour here. It was not to show “why” her sins had been forgiven, but to show that she had given evidence that they actually “had” been, and that it was proper, therefore, that she should come near to him and manifest this love. The meaning may be thus expressed: “That her sins, so many and aggravated, have been forgiven - that she is no longer such a sinner as you suppose, is manifest from her conduct. She shows deep gratitude, penitence, love. Her conduct is the “proper expression” of that love. While you have shown comparatively little evidence that you felt that “your sins” were great, and comparatively little love at their being forgiven, “she” has shown that she “felt” hers to be great, and has loved much.”

To whom little is forgiven - He who feels that little has been forgiven - that his sins were not as great as those of others. A man’s love to God will be in proportion to the obligation he “feels” to him for forgiveness. God is to be “loved” for his perfections, apart from what he has “done” for us. But still it is proper that our love should be increased by a consideration of his goodness; and they who feel - as Christians do - that they are the “chief of sinners,” will feel under infinite obligation to love God and their Redeemer, and that no “expression” of attachment to him can be “beyond” what is due.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Luke 7:47. For she loved much — Or, THEREFORE she loved much. It appears to have been a consciousness of God's forgiving love that brought her at this time to the Pharisee's house. In the common translation her forgiveness is represented to be the consequence of her loving much, which is causing the tree to produce the root, and not the root the tree. I have considered οτι here as having the sense of διοτι, therefore; because, to make this sentence suit with the foregoing parable, Luke 7:42-43, and with what immediately follows here, but he to whom little is forgiven loveth little, we must suppose her love was the effect of her being pardoned, not the cause of it. οτι seems to have the sense of therefore in Matthew 13:13; John 8:44; 1 Corinthians 10:17; and in the Septuagint, in De 33:52; Isaiah 49:19; Hosea 9:15; and Ecclesiastes 5:6. Both these particles are often interchanged in the New Testament.

Loved much - loveth little — That is, A man's love to God will be in proportion to the obligations he feels himself under to the bounty of his Maker.


 
adsfree-icon
Ads FreeProfile