Bible Strands
Luke 7:43
“I suppose the one who was forgiven more,” Simon replied. “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus asks Simon a hypothetical question following a parable about two debtors, and Simon answers from his own perspective. Jesus confirms Simon’s judgment while turning his attention to the woman present at the meal.
The words — ὑπολαμβάνω (hupolambanō) literally means “I take it” or “I suppose,” capturing Simon’s tentative assumption as he answers. ἀποκριθεὶς (apokritheis) is a participle meaning “answering,” marking the direct verbal response to Jesus’ prompt.
The thread — The text explicitly links forgiven debt to measured love in Luke 7:47, where Jesus states that the woman’s love proves the extent of her forgiveness. The pattern of divine pardon meeting human response also appears in Psalms 116:16 and Mark 12:34.
Why it lands — The passage states that gratitude correlates directly with the amount of forgiveness received, not with personal merit. It requires the reader to acknowledge their own debt before evaluating the spiritual standing of others.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
Cross-references
- Psalms 116:16 Truly, O LORD, I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have broken my bonds.
- Mark 12:34 When Jesus saw that the man had answered wisely, He said, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And no one dared to question Him any further.
- Luke 7:47 Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven, for she has loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.”
- Luke 10:38 As they traveled along, Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.
- 1 Corinthians 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles and am unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
- 2 Corinthians 5:14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died.
- 1 Timothy 1:13 I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy.