The Parable of the two debtors found in Luke 7:41-43 teaches us compelling and practical lessons that we all should learn. Underneath the judgemental look of the people and the tears of the unnamed woman, you will be surprised that the two debtors parable offers more than just lessons about forgiveness. Thus, in this post, I invite you to walk through this insightful parable of Jesus and discover its deep meaning!

A biblical background of the parable of the two debtors

The parable of the two debtors is found in the New Testament of the Bible, specifically in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 7, verses 36-50. It occurs within the context of Jesus’ ministry, where he is teaching and interacting with various people, including Pharisees and other religious leaders.

Parable overview in Luke

In the broader context of the Gospel of Luke, this parable is part of a series of events and teachings that highlight themes of forgiveness, mercy, and grace. Jesus often used parables to convey spiritual truths and challenge the attitudes and beliefs of his listeners.

The situation leading up to the parable

Leading up to the parable of the two debtors, Jesus is invited to dine at the home of a Pharisee named Simon. While at the meal, a woman known in the town as a sinner enters the house and begins to weep at Jesus’ feet, washing them with her tears, wiping them with her hair, and anointing them with perfume. Simon, the Pharisee, is critical of Jesus for allowing this woman to touch him, reasoning that if Jesus were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman she was.

Jesus giving the two debtors parable

In response, Jesus tells Simon the parable of the two debtors, illustrating the concept of forgiveness and gratitude. After Simon answers Jesus’ question about which debtor would love the moneylender more, Jesus uses the situation to contrast Simon’s lack of hospitality and love with the woman’s genuine repentance and love. Jesus points out that the woman’s actions demonstrate her understanding of her need for forgiveness and her deep gratitude for the forgiveness she has received.

The Parable of the two debtors moral lessons

This parable serves as a powerful reminder of God’s abundant mercy and grace, available to all who recognize their need for forgiveness and turn to him in repentance. It challenges us to examine our own attitudes toward forgiveness and to respond with humility, gratitude, and love toward God and others.

What does Luke 7:41-43 say?

To help us better understand the parable of the two debtors, it’s important to read the whole story that revolves around it. Thus, we should begin reading in Luke 7:36-40:

³⁶ Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. ³⁷ And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, ³⁸ and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. ³⁹ Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.”

⁴⁰ And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.”

So he said, “Teacher, say it.”

In Luke 7:36-40, a Pharisee invited Jesus to eat with him, and Jesus accepted the invitation. While dining at the Pharisee’s house, a woman known as a sinner approached Jesus and began to wash his feet with her tears, wipe them with her hair, kiss his feet, and anoint them with fragrant oil. Witnessing this, the Pharisee questioned Jesus’ identity as a prophet, doubting his discernment about the woman’s sinful nature. Jesus, aware of the Pharisee’s thoughts, responded by addressing him directly, initiating a conversation.

Here’s where the parable entered the story:

⁴¹ “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. ⁴² And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?”

⁴³ Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.”

Luke 7:41-43

In Luke 7:41-43, Jesus tells a parable about a creditor who had two debtors: one owed a large sum (500 denarii) and the other a smaller amount (50 denarii). When neither debtor could repay, the creditor forgave both debts. Jesus then asks Simon, the Pharisee, which debtor would love the creditor more. Simon responds that he supposes the one forgiven more would love more.

After giving the parable, Jesus proceeds by giving an explanation. We read:

⁴⁴ Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. ⁴⁵ You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. ⁴⁶ You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. ⁴⁷ 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.”

⁴⁸ Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

⁴⁹ And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

⁵⁰ Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

Luke 7:44-50

In Luke 7:44-50, Jesus addresses the Pharisee, Simon, and contrasts the woman’s actions of love and devotion with Simon’s lack of hospitality. He points out how the woman has shown genuine affection by washing his feet with her tears, kissing them, and anointing them with oil, while Simon had neglected common courtesy.

Jesus emphasizes that the woman’s many sins have been forgiven because of her great love, contrasting her genuine repentance with Simon’s lack of recognition of his own sinfulness. He then pronounces forgiveness upon the woman, causing confusion among those present, and commends her faith, granting her peace.

15 Amazing Lessons from the Parable of the Two Debtors

Now that you have an overview of the story in Luke 7 and the situation that leads to the giving of the parable, it is time to take a look at the 15 most crucial lessons from the Parable of the Two Debtors:

1. We must draw closer to God

There’s no doubt that we are all sinners. The problem with sin is that the more you commit it, the more you’ll get separated from God. It drives a wedge between us and the Father.

We read in Isaiah 59:1-2:

Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened,
That it cannot save;
Nor His ear heavy,
That it cannot hear.

² But your iniquities have separated you from your God;
And your sins have hidden His face from you,
So that He will not hear. 

However, because of the sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus Christ (properly known as Yahshua), we can now come boldly to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). Now, it is up to us to go to God and ask for forgiveness or run away from Him and continue sinning.

For the woman in our story, she chose to approach God and ask for forgiveness. Don’t think this was an easy task for her. Actually, it takes a lot of courage and faith to enter the house of a Pharisee, be the center of attraction of so many judgemental people, and risk the chance of getting rejected.

Remember, the woman was a person with a bad reputation. She was a known sinner in her town. Of course, all of the people were sinners at that time, but this woman was particularly known to have exceeded what could be the normal level of sin. Although not mentioned in the text, some people assumed that this woman was a prostitute.

Can you just imagine the amount of courage and faith this woman would have mustered by stepping into the house of a “righteous” Pharisee and even coming near to the Son of God? Yet, she chose to not let her sins prevent her from getting close to the One who can forgive sins.

In the same manner, we must and should go to God. Unlike Adam and Eve who hid from Yahweh, we must go to Him. There’s no use of hiding from God or running away from Him. Our sins will only be forgiven when we come to Him just like this sinful woman in our story.

2. We must have compassion on sinners

Sometimes, because of self-righteousness, we tend to focus more on the sin rather than the sinner. What I mean is that we tend to forget that even this woman in the story is a human being created in the image of the Father!

In the story, we can just see the diametric difference between the reaction of Jesus and Simon. Despite being labeled a sinner, the woman approaches Jesus with an alabaster flask of fragrant oil. Instead of rejecting her or condemning her, Jesus welcomes her presence and allows her to express her devotion by washing his feet. This act demonstrates Jesus’ compassion and acceptance of her, regardless of her past mistakes.

In contrast to Jesus’ compassion, Simon, the Pharisee, reacts with judgment and contempt towards the woman. He questions Jesus’ identity as a prophet, doubting whether Jesus would allow a sinner to touch him. Simon’s attitude reflects a lack of compassion and understanding towards the woman’s situation.

Christ sees the woman and not her sins. Simon sees the sin and not the woman. Thus, Christ wants Simon to realize that his perspective in life is wrong. Christ asks Simon, “Do you see this woman?” It’s another way of saying, “Simon, you need to have compassion for the sinners.”

3. We are all sinners

Because of self-righteousness, Simon was blinded to the fact that all of us are sinners. No matter how righteous you think you may be, one single sin hangs the penalty of sin on your neck. No amount of work and righteous deeds could undo the sins you have committed even if you live your life perfectly on this day forward.

The Bible tells us:

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

It is not because of what we have done or who we are that our sins are forgiven. It is through the grace of God and the free gift of forgiveness that saves us from our sins!

With this in mind, we must not condemn others and be quick to dismiss them simply because they are sinners. All of us are sinners.

4. We don’t tolerate sin

While we don’t condemn sinners, we should not tolerate sin. Remember, the reason God doesn’t want us to sin is because sins are truly destructive and harmful to us. God loves us so much that He wants us to avoid sin and destroy ourselves.

We shouldn’t make excuses or take sin lightly. However, when it comes to people caught in sin, we should treat them with kindness and respect bearing in mind that they can be as weak as we are. We can pray for them and share the good news of the coming Kingdom of God with them.

Loving sinners doesn’t mean we agree with or support their sin. Instead, it means we care about them and want what’s best for them. That includes helping them turn away from sin and find healing. It’s important to speak the truth about sin, but we should do it in a gentle and caring way. The Bible instructs us to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).

On the other hand, ignoring or excusing sin doesn’t help anyone. Sin leads to bad consequences, so it’s not loving to turn a blind eye to it. By addressing sin with love and honesty, we show that we care about people’s well-being and want to see them live in line with God’s best for them.

In simple terms, we hate sin because it’s harmful, but we love sinners by treating them with kindness and helping them turn away from sin towards a better way of life with God.

5. Be a God-pleaser rather than a people-pleaser

As humans, we tend to seek the approval of men. Now, nothing is inherently bad about that, but if you’re trying to please men at the expense of displeasing God, then that’s crossing the red line.

Going back to our story, you will soon realize that the lesson of being a God-pleaser rather than a people-pleaser is deeply intertwined with the events described in Luke 7:36-50. In this passage, we see contrasting attitudes toward Jesus and his message: the woman’s genuine repentance and love contrasted with the Pharisee Simon’s judgmental attitude and lack of hospitality.

The Woman’s Example of Being a God-Pleaser

The woman who approaches Jesus demonstrates a profound desire to honor and please God. Despite her reputation as a sinner, she approaches Jesus with humility, repentance, and extravagant love.

Now, remember that in the time of Jesus, what the woman did was unacceptable! She let down her hair. He approached a man and even kissed his feet. Those who watch this unfolding would surely have felt awkward and uncomfortable. Many people would surely not be pleased with what they were seeing.

Yet, the woman disregards societal norms. She didn’t care about what people said. She didn’t think about the expectations set on her as a woman living in the first century. She did all these to express her love for Jesus, showing that her primary concern is pleasing God rather than conforming to human standards. Her actions reflect a heart that seeks forgiveness, acceptance, and approval from God above all else.

Simon’s Example of Being a People-Pleaser

In contrast, Simon the Pharisee exemplifies the tendency to prioritize the opinions and judgments of others over God’s approval. He invites Jesus to his home but fails to extend basic courtesies and hospitality to him. He might have even invited Jesus to look good in front of other people. After all, Christ was becoming more and more popular with each passing month. So, it would be nice to have Him in his house. Simon is more concerned with maintaining his reputation and adhering to social norms than with showing genuine love and reverence for Jesus. His judgmental attitude toward the woman reveals his preoccupation with outward appearances and the opinions of others.

Jesus’ Response and the Call to Prioritize God

Jesus’ interaction with both the woman and Simon underscores the importance of prioritizing God’s approval above human approval. He commends the woman for her faith and forgiveness, emphasizing that her actions, motivated by love for God, have brought about her salvation and peace. In contrast, he challenges Simon to recognize his own sinfulness and to shift his focus from outward appearances to inner transformation.

Application to Our Lives

The lesson of being a God-pleaser rather than a people-pleaser reminds us to live with integrity, authenticity, and obedience to God’s will. It calls us to prioritize pleasing God above seeking the approval or acceptance of others. This may require us to make choices that are unpopular or counter-cultural, to stand firm in our faith despite opposition, and to demonstrate love, compassion, and forgiveness toward others, regardless of societal norms or expectations.

The events in Luke 7:36-50 illustrate the importance of aligning our hearts and actions with God’s will, seeking his approval above all else, and demonstrating genuine love, humility, and obedience in our relationships with others.

6. God knows our heart

In the story, we see how Simon thought of Jesus as having no discernment of the heart. When the woman started to wash Christ’s feet, he said to himself, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.”

Now, that’s what he thought. Jesus perfectly knows not just the heart of the woman, but also the heart of Simon — and that’s what he will surely find out later!

Our Savior perceives the woman’s genuine repentance and love, affirming her forgiveness and commending her faith. Conversely, he exposes Simon’s hypocrisy and lack of love, challenging him to reflect on his own spiritual condition.

As you know, God and His Son have the power to look into our hearts. They know who we are, what we think about, and what motivates us. We read in Matthew 9:4:

⁴ But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?

Knowing that God knows our hearts is both comforting and frightening at the same time. Comforting because when words are not enough to express ourselves, God completely gets us. Frightening because if we have wrong motives, God surely knows it.

To help you better understand what it means for God to know our hearts, here are some important details to consider:

Deep Understanding

God’s knowledge of our hearts goes beyond surface-level observation. He understands the intricate workings of our minds and hearts, including our motivations, fears, and struggles. Nothing is hidden from him.

Unconditional Love

Despite knowing every aspect of our hearts, God loves us unconditionally. He sees our flaws, weaknesses, and sins, yet his love for us remains unchanged. His knowledge of our hearts does not diminish his love but rather informs his compassionate response towards us.

Accountability

God’s knowledge of our hearts also means that we are accountable to him for our thoughts, intentions, and actions. We cannot hide anything from him, and he sees through any attempts to deceive or conceal the truth. This accountability encourages us to live with integrity and honesty before God.

Comfort and Assurance

Knowing that God knows our hearts can be a source of comfort and assurance. We can trust that God understands our deepest struggles, fears, and desires. We can pour out our hearts to him in prayer, knowing that he hears and understands us completely.

Guidance and Transformation

God’s knowledge of our hearts enables him to guide and transform us from the inside out. As we surrender our hearts to him, he can work with us to renew our minds, purify our motives, and align our desires with his will. He can help us grow in love, faith, and obedience.

Overall, the concept of God knowing our hearts reminds us of his intimate relationship with us and his desire for us to live authentically and wholeheartedly before him. It invites us to approach him with openness, vulnerability, and trust, knowing that he understands us completely and loves us deeply.

7. We must be grateful for the forgiveness of our sins

Now, we come to the center of our discussion, the parable of the two debtors. There are a lot of important lessons from this parable found in Luke 7:41-43. Let’s start with gratitude for forgiveness.

Both debtors in the parable were forgiven their debts, illustrating the concept of forgiveness from a position of indebtedness. In the parable, the moneylender represents God and the debt is our sin. When the moneylender forgives the debt of the two debtors, it demonstrates how God shows us both mercy and grace.

Now, if you have experienced being in great debt, you know how stressful it can be. Debt collectors may bug you all day. You have to worry about where you’re going to get the money to pay your debt. If you don’t pay on time, interest starts to set in and you’re in a debt trap.

If someone comes along and says, “Hey, you don’t have to pay the debt anymore. Someone paid for it.” You know how exhilarating that feeling will be! You can just imagine the amount of joy you get when you find out that you don’t have debt anymore — the debt that you can’t pay even if you work all your life!

However, a lot of us don’t realize that all of us are in debt and that this type of debt can’t be paid with money. This debt can’t be paid by any sacrifices. No matter how hard you try, you work all day, and you do your best, you will NEVER be able to pay it off. In short, it’s IMPOSSIBLE to pay the debt.

When Yahshua (Jesus) died on the torture stake, he paid the debt that we can’t pay with His precious blood. He died so that we don’t have to pay the penalty of our debt, which is sin!

I don’t know about you but that is a great and huge source of gratitude. We all should live our lives filled with gratitude in our hearts knowing that we don’t have debt anymore. Christ paid it already. He redeemed us from our sins and now, we are set free to follow Him!

8. The greater the sin, the bigger the grace

In the parable, the two debtors represent the woman and the Pharisee. The woman was the one who had a debt of 500 denarii while Simon had a debt of 50 denarii. One denarii is equivalent to a laborer’s wage for a day.

When the creditor forgave both the debtors, it took more grace and mercy to forgive the one with the bigger debt. At its core, this concept highlights the transformative power of God’s forgiveness. It suggests that those who have experienced the weight of their sins and recognize the depth of their need for forgiveness may be more profoundly impacted by God’s grace. Their gratitude and appreciation for God’s mercy may be greater as they realize the immense debt of sin that has been canceled on their behalf.

9. No sin is beyond the reach of God’s grace

Now, you might think that your sin is so big that it is better for you to run away from God than to ask for forgiveness. That’s a lie that Satan wants you to believe. If you truly understand the message of Luke 7:41-43, you’ll understand that God’s grace forgives any sin as long as you genuinely repent and want to change your life.

The parable illustrates that both debtors, regardless of the amount they owed, had their debts completely forgiven by the moneylender. This highlights the vast extent of the moneylender’s grace and mercy. Similarly, in our relationship with God, no sin is so great that it cannot be forgiven through God’s grace. God’s forgiveness knows no bounds, and his grace is available to all who repent and seek forgiveness, regardless of the severity or nature of their sins.

The parable emphasizes the inclusivity of God’s grace. Both debtors, representing individuals with varying degrees of sinfulness, were offered forgiveness by the moneylender. This illustrates that God’s grace is extended to everyone, irrespective of their past mistakes, backgrounds, or circumstances. No one is beyond the reach of God’s grace, and his offer of forgiveness is extended to all who come to him in repentance.

10. The grace of God transforms you

The parable highlights the transformative power of God’s grace. The forgiveness received by the debtors not only relieved them of their financial obligations but also had the potential to change their lives. Similarly, God’s grace has the power to transform lives, bringing about spiritual renewal, healing, and restoration. No matter how deeply entrenched in sin someone may be, God’s grace has the power to bring about redemption and reconciliation.

11. God’s grace encourages you

The parable of the two debtors offers hope and encouragement to those who may feel overwhelmed by their sinfulness or unworthiness. If you’re someone who feels like there’s no hope anymore for someone like you who committed a big sin, then know that the parable reassures you that no matter how far you have strayed or how grievous your sins may be, God’s grace is sufficient to cover them. This should serve as a source of comfort and motivation for you to turn to God in repentance, knowing that you will find acceptance, forgiveness, and restoration in him.

12. Focus on changing yourself not on the sin of others

Sometimes, we are too quick to condemn others for the sins they have committed. However, the Bible tells us that we are all sinners. In fact, you may not realize it but you might even be guilty of the same sin that you are condemning!

Going back to the story, Simon was too focused on the sinfulness of the woman. He was so bothered by how the sinful woman approached Christ that he even questioned Christ’s authority.

However, our Master turned to someone and gave a parable. He then asked Simon:

“Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. 45 You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. 46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. 47 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.”

Luke 7:44-47

Simon’s focus is on the perceived sins of the woman, rather than on his own spiritual condition. Jesus addresses Simon’s judgmental thoughts by telling him a parable about two debtors, highlighting the importance of recognizing one’s own need for forgiveness. Jesus then contrasts Simon’s lack of hospitality and love with the woman’s extravagant display of affection. He affirms the woman’s forgiveness and commends her for her faith and love.

The Lesson here is evident in Jesus’ response to Simon’s judgmental attitude. Instead of condemning the woman for her sins, Jesus redirects Simon’s focus to his own spiritual condition. By highlighting the woman’s repentance and love, Jesus emphasizes the importance of humility, self-awareness, and recognizing one’s need for forgiveness.

13. Be careful of self-righteousness

There’s a great danger that looms around us when we think that we are more righteous than others. This leads to the thinking that since we sin little, then we need little forgiveness from God. This is dangerous thinking because people who have this mentality will struggle to grasp the depth of God’s love and mercy.

Luke 7:47 tells us:

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.” 

When forgiveness is perceived as minimal, love and gratitude may also be limited. This highlights the importance of recognizing one’s own need for forgiveness and the profoundness of God’s grace.

14. Jesus has the authority to forgive sin

The encounter that involves Jesus, Simon, and the sinful woman gives us a glimpse of the nature of our Savior. Both in the past and present, a lot of people question Christ’s divinity. Yet, in this instance, Yahshua confirms that He is truly the Son of God and therefore, also God Himself in the flesh! 

Remember, only God has the power to forgive sins. Because Christ forgives sins then there’s only one logical conclusion: He is God together with God the Father!

Jesus’ declaration to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven,” showcases his divine authority to forgive sins. This moment challenges the bystanders’ understanding of Jesus’ identity and authority. It highlights that Jesus possesses the power to grant forgiveness, a prerogative typically attributed to God alone.

Now, here’s what you need to understand: forgiving sins is portrayed as a miraculous act performed by Jesus. It highlights his power to bring about spiritual healing and restoration. This miracle emphasizes the depth of Jesus’ compassion and his desire to offer forgiveness to all who come to him in faith.

What’s more, Jesus’ forgiveness not only addresses the woman’s past sins but also brings about reconciliation with God. It symbolizes the restoration of her relationship with God and the removal of the barriers that separated her from Him. Through forgiveness, Jesus offers the woman a fresh start and a new life.

15. Salvation and peace come from forgiveness

The final part of the story that revolves around the parable of the two debtors is Christ’s message to the woman:

Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

Luke 7:50

This teaches us a lot of lessons, which are the following:

Salvation Through Faith

Jesus attributes the woman’s salvation to her faith. Her act of humble faith, demonstrated through her actions of repentance, love, and devotion, leads to her forgiveness and restoration with God. This emphasizes the central role of faith in receiving salvation. It teaches us that it is not our works or merits but our trust in Jesus that brings about spiritual healing and reconciliation with God.

Personal Encounter with Jesus

The woman’s encounter with Jesus leads to her salvation. This highlights the importance of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ in experiencing forgiveness and salvation. It reminds us that salvation is not merely a theological concept but a relational reality—an intimate connection with the living Christ who offers grace, mercy, and redemption to all who come to him in faith.

Assurance of Peace

Jesus’ parting words to the woman, “Go in peace,” signify the assurance of inner peace that comes from knowing and experiencing the love and forgiveness of God. This peace transcends earthly circumstances and is rooted in the certainty of God’s presence, grace, and faithfulness. It is a peace that surpasses understanding and provides strength and comfort in the midst of life’s challenges.

Freedom from Guilt and Shame

The woman’s encounter with Jesus brings about freedom from the burden of guilt and shame. By pronouncing her forgiven and sending her forth in peace, Jesus releases her from the weight of her past sins and offers her a new beginning. This teaches us that through faith in Jesus, we can find liberation from the bondage of sin and experience the joy of living in God’s grace.

Application to Our Lives

The lesson from Luke 7:50 challenges us to place our trust in Jesus as the source of our salvation and peace. It calls us to respond in faith to his invitation of love and forgiveness, knowing that through faith, we can experience the transformative power of God’s grace and the assurance of inner peace. It encourages us to live lives characterized by faith, hope, and love, trusting in God’s faithfulness to guide us and sustain us on our journey of discipleship.

Learn the Powerful Lessons from the Parable of the Two Debtors

These are just some of the most vital lessons we can learn from Luke 7:41-43. From learning to have compassion for sinners to living a forgiven life filled with peace and gratefulness, the Parable of the Two Debtors is truly a wonderful story for us to reflect on.

How about you? Do you have lessons that I haven’t included in this blog? If yes, please share your thoughts in the comment section. I would love to hear from you!

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