Luke 7:50 Meaning and Explanation
“And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The woman's encounter ends with more than relief after a difficult public moment. Jesus speaks directly to her after speaking about her before the table. His words identify the trust by which she came to him and give her peace as she leaves his presence.
Jesus tells the woman that her faith has saved her and sends her in peace. His final word gives her a settled departure from the meal under his saving mercy rather than Simon's judgment.
The Context of Luke 7:50
At the close of Luke 7, Jesus is eating in Simon the Pharisee's house when a woman from the city enters weeping. She washes Jesus' feet with tears, wipes them with her hair, kisses them, and anoints them with ointment. Simon questions her character and Jesus' prophetic knowledge within himself. Jesus answers with the story of two debtors forgiven by a creditor, then names the woman's acts of welcome and declares that her many sins are forgiven. Other guests begin asking who can forgive sins. Verse 50 is Jesus' final address to the woman, following his declaration in verse 48 and the guests' inward question in verse 49.
What Does Luke 7:50 Mean?
"Thy faith hath saved thee" places the center of the encounter in the woman's reliance upon Jesus. Her tears and ointment have shown love, yet Jesus names faith when he speaks of her salvation. She came to him despite the social risk of entering Simon's house and despite the knowledge others had of her life. The chapter does not give a full account of everything she understood, so we need not supply details the text does not state. We can see that she entrusted herself to Jesus, received his word of forgiveness, and was addressed by him personally. His sentence gives assurance from his own authority, rather than leaving her standing beneath the opinions of the guests.
Within this chapter, faith repeatedly recognizes Jesus' authority and comes to him in need. The centurion trusts that Jesus can heal by a word. Those who witness the raising of the widow's son glorify God for visiting his people. John is directed to consider Jesus' works, and the publicans who received John's baptism are described as justifying God. The woman now comes in trusting dependence, and Jesus says that her faith has saved her. Her love belongs within that response. The chapter presents faith as a living turning toward God's gracious action, expressed in humility, confidence in Jesus, and grateful affection. Jesus' word makes clear that salvation is received from him.
"Go in peace" is a sending word. Jesus does not merely calm an emotion in the room; he sends the woman forward with peace under the forgiveness he has announced. The guests are still asking who he is, and their question matters because Jesus has acted with the authority to forgive. Elsewhere in Luke's Gospel, Jesus speaks peace to people who have received his healing and help. Here peace fits the restoration of a person whose past was publicly known and whose present devotion had been misunderstood. The woman is free to depart from the table with Christ's word over her life. Her story directs our attention to the Savior who receives the needy and gives peace through his saving mercy.
Bible Verses Related to Luke 7:50
“And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.”
- Luke 7:48
“And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.”
- Luke 8:48
“And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.”
- Mark 5:34
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”
- Ephesians 2:8
Where Luke 7:50 Echoes in Scripture
The wording strongly echoes Jesus' later words to the woman healed after touching his garment: "Thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace" in Luke 8:48. In both scenes, a woman approaches Jesus in need, Jesus publicly addresses her, and faith is named in connection with his restoring work. The echo helps us hear Luke 7:50 as a deliberate word of personal assurance and peaceful restoration, grounded in Jesus' authority and received through faith.
How to Apply Luke 7:50 Today
When shame, fear, or the judgment of others presses heavily on us, this verse directs us toward Jesus' own word. Faith may come with tears, imperfect understanding, and a costly willingness to draw near. We can bring our need to him honestly and rest our hope in his mercy rather than in public approval. The peace Jesus gives also shapes how we treat one another. A community that remembers this scene can make room for repentance, healing, and restored dignity. We can speak carefully about another person's past, offer welcome, and refuse to keep people fixed in the labels that once defined them.
Reflection & Prayer
What voices have been competing with Christ's word of mercy and peace in our hearts? How can our homes, conversations, or congregations become places where repentant people are received with fitting care? Pray: "Lord Jesus, increase our faith in your saving mercy. Give us peace as we follow you, and teach us to welcome others with the compassion we have received."