Luke 7:42 Meaning and Explanation
“And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Since neither debtor could pay, the creditor freely forgave both; Jesus asks which will love him more.
What Does Luke 7:42 Mean?
"They had nothing to pay" — the parable's hinge. The creditor does not restructure the debts or reduce them; he "frankly forgave them both," canceling everything as a free act. Then Jesus turns the story into a question: which of them will love him most?
Forgiveness in this parable is sheer gift to the bankrupt — and its fruit is love. Jesus is teaching Simon the arithmetic of grace: love for God rises with forgiveness known and felt. The question is gentle but loaded; whatever Simon answers will explain the weeping woman at Jesus' feet — and expose the coolness of his own welcome.
Luke 7:42 in the Original Language
charizomai (χαρίζομαι), 'frankly forgave' -- to forgive freely, as an act of grace.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 7:42
What does Luke 7:42 mean?
Since neither debtor could pay, the creditor freely forgave both; Jesus asks which will love him more.