Luke 7:47
New International Version
Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore I say to you this: Her many sins have been forgiven, for she loved much; but to whom little is forgiven, he loves little."

King James Bible
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.

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.”

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.”

NASB 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.”

NASB 1977
“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.”

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.”

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.”

Holman 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.”

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.

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."

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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
That's why I'm telling you that her many sins have been forgiven. Her great love proves that. But whoever receives little forgiveness loves very little."

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."

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."

Majority 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.”

NET Bible
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 Heart 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."

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.

Weymouth 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."

World English Bible
Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
therefore I say to you, her many sins have been forgiven, because she loved much; but to whom is forgiven little, loves little.”

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore I say to you this: Her many sins have been forgiven, 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.'

Smith's Literal Translation
For which I say to thee, Her many sins are remitted; for she loved much: and he to whom little is remitted, loves little.
Catholic Translations
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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Because of this, I tell you: many sins are forgiven her, because she has loved much. But he who is forgiven less, loves less.”

New American Bible
So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”

New Revised Standard Version
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.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
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.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“On account of this, I say to you, that her many sins are forgiven her because she loved much, but he who is forgiven a little loves a little.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Wherefore, I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much. But he to whom little is forgiven, loves little.

Godbey New Testament
Therefore I say unto thee, her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but he to whom little is forgiven, loveth little.

Haweis New Testament
For which cause, I tell thee, her many sins are forgiven, for she hath loved much: but to whom a little is forgiven, he loveth little.

Mace New Testament
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.

Weymouth 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."

Worrell New Testament
Wherefore, I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven; because she loved much; but he, to whom little is forgiven, loves little."

Worsley New Testament
Wherefore, I tell thee, her sins though many are forgiven, for she loved much: but he to whom little is forgiven, loveth but little.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Sinful Woman Anoints Jesus
46You did not anoint My head with oil, but she has anointed My feet with perfume. 47Therefore I tell you, because her many sins have been forgiven, she has loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.” 48Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”…

Cross References
Matthew 9:2
Just then some men brought to Him a paralytic lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven.”

Mark 2:5
When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

John 8:11
“No one, Lord,” she answered. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Now go and sin no more.”

Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” / Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!

Ephesians 1:7
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace

Colossians 3:13
Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Romans 5:20
The law came in so that the trespass would increase; but where sin increased, grace increased all the more,

1 Timothy 1:14-15
And the grace of our Lord overflowed to me, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. / This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst.

James 5:15
And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick. The Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.

1 Peter 4:8
Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

Matthew 26:28
This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Acts 10:43
All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.”

Romans 4:7-8
“Blessed are they whose lawless acts are forgiven, whose sins are covered. / Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.”

Hebrews 8:12
For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more.”


Treasury of Scripture

Why 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.

Her.

Luke 7:42
And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?

Luke 5:20,21
And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee…

Exodus 34:6,7
And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, …

which.

Isaiah 1:18
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Isaiah 55:7
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Ezekiel 16:63
That thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame, when I am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord GOD.

she.

Luke 7:43
Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

Matthew 10:37
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

John 21:15-17
So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs…

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Feet Forgiven Forgiveness Gives Great Head Loved Loveth Need Oil Perfume Pour Poured Reason Sins Small Wherefore
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Luke 7
1. Jesus finds a greater faith in the centurion;
10. heals his servant, being absent;
11. raises from death the widow's son at Nain;
18. answers John's messengers with the declaration of his miracles;
24. testifies to the people what opinion he held of John;
31. compares this generation to the children in the marketplaces,
36. and allowing his feet to be washed and anointed by a woman who was a sinner,
44. he shows how he is a friend to sinners, to forgive them their sins, upon their repentance.














Therefore
The word "therefore" serves as a crucial connector, linking the preceding narrative to the conclusion that follows. In the context of Luke 7, Jesus is addressing Simon the Pharisee after a sinful woman anoints His feet. The Greek word used here is "διό" (dio), which indicates a logical conclusion or result. It emphasizes that what Jesus is about to say is a direct outcome of the events and attitudes previously described. This word invites the reader to reflect on the cause-and-effect relationship between the woman's actions and the forgiveness she receives.

I tell you
This phrase underscores the authority of Jesus as a teacher and prophet. The Greek "λέγω σοι" (lego soi) is a personal address, indicating that Jesus is speaking directly to Simon. It highlights the personal nature of Jesus' teaching and His willingness to engage with individuals on a personal level. This phrase also serves to draw attention to the importance of the message that follows, as it comes from the mouth of the Messiah Himself.

her many sins
The phrase "her many sins" acknowledges the reality and gravity of the woman's past. The Greek word for "sins" is "ἁμαρτίαι" (hamartiai), which refers to moral failings or offenses against God. The use of "many" (πολλαί, pollai) emphasizes the extent of her transgressions, yet it also sets the stage for the profound grace that Jesus is about to reveal. This acknowledgment of sin is crucial in understanding the depth of forgiveness and the transformative power of grace.

have been forgiven
This phrase is central to the message of the Gospel. The Greek word "ἀφέωνται" (apheontai) is in the perfect tense, indicating a completed action with ongoing effects. It signifies that her sins are not only forgiven at that moment but that the forgiveness has a lasting impact. This reflects the Christian doctrine of justification, where believers are declared righteous before God through faith in Christ. The passive voice indicates that the forgiveness is an act of divine grace, not something the woman earned.

as her great love has shown
The phrase "as her great love has shown" connects the woman's actions to her forgiveness. The Greek "ὅτι ἠγάπησεν πολύ" (hoti ēgapēsen poly) suggests that her love is a response to the forgiveness she has received. This aligns with the biblical principle that love is a fruit of the Spirit and a response to God's grace. Her actions are not the cause of her forgiveness but a demonstration of her gratitude and transformation. This highlights the transformative power of grace, which inspires believers to live lives of love and devotion.

But whoever has been forgiven little loves little
This concluding statement serves as a poignant reminder of the relationship between forgiveness and love. The Greek "ᾧ δὲ ὀλίγον ἀφέεται, ὀλίγον ἀγαπᾷ" (hō de oligōn apheietai, oligōn agapa) contrasts the experiences of those who recognize the depth of their forgiveness with those who do not. It suggests that an awareness of one's need for forgiveness and the grace received results in a greater capacity for love. This serves as a call to self-examination for believers, encouraging them to recognize the magnitude of God's grace in their lives and to respond with love and gratitude.

(47) Her sins, which are many, are forgiven.--Grammatically, the words admit of two interpretations, equally tenable. (1) Love may be represented as the ground of forgiveness, existing prior to it, and accepted as that which made forgiveness possible; or (2) it may be thought of as the natural consequence of the sense of being forgiven, and its manifestations as being therefore an evidence of a real and completed forgiveness. The whole drift of the previous parable is in favour of the latter explanation. The antecedent conditions of forgiveness, repentance, and faith--faith in Christ where He has been manifested to the soul as such; faith in Him as the Light that lighteth every man where He has not so been manifested--must be pre-supposed in her case as in others. And the faith was pre-eminently one that "worked by love," from the first moment of its nascent life. In such cases we may, if need be, distinguish for the sake of accuracy of thought, and say that it is faith and not love that justifies, but it is an evil thing to distinguish in order to divide.

Note in detail (1) that the tense used is the perfect, "Her sins . . . have been forgiven her;" (2) that the many sins of her past life are not, as we should say. ignored, but are admitted, as far as the judgment of the Pharisee was concerned, and pressed home upon her own conscience; (3) the thought subtly implied in the concluding words, not that the sins of the Pharisee were few, but that he thought them few, and that therefore the scantiness of his love was a witness that he had but an equally scant consciousness of forgiveness.

Verse 47. - Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven. Again, as in the synagogue, and no doubt on many other occasions, when these words were uttered, a thrill would run through the company present. Who was this, then, one would ask the other, who with this voice and mien dared to utter such things? Only One could forgive sins! Was, then, the Nazareth Rabbi, the great Physician, the Worker of awful miracles - was he the One whose Name was lost, but the echo of whose voice still lingered, they hoped, in that desecrated Holy Land? For she loved much. Are we, then, to understand by this that her love for Jesus was the cause of forgiveness? Many Roman and some Protestant expositors have believed this is the meaning of the Lord's words. But at once a contradiction is given to this interpretation by a reference to ver. 42, where, after the remission of the two debts - the great and the little - Jesus asks, "Which of these will love him most?" But had love been the cause of a forgiveness of either or both of the debts, the question should have run, "Which of the two loved him most?" not "will love him most." In addition to which the Master guards against any view of this kind being entertained, by his concluding words (ver. 50), "Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace." The principle on which forgiveness was granted to the woman was faith, not love. Stier, in his comment here, writes that the expression of the Lord, "Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much," is an argumentum, non a causa, sed ab effectu ; in other words, "I say unto thee, Her many sins are forgiven, and thou must infer from this that she loved much, or, she loves much, for (that is, because) her sins are forgiven." Stier gives another example of the meaning of "for" (ὅτι) in this place: "The sun is risen [it must have risen], for it is day" (Stier, 'Words of the Lord Jesus:' Luke 7:47). Some may ask - What great amount of sin is necessary in order to loving much? Godet well answers, "We need add nothing to what each of us already has, for the sum of the whole matter is - to the noblest and purest of us, what is wanting in order to love much, is not sin, but the knowledge of it. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. This saying refers to Simon the Pharisee; the first saying (in the former part of the verse) which we have been considering refers to the woman. The same principle exactly is presented as in the first instance, and viewed from the other side - the less forgiveness, the less love results. Our Lord is very tender in all this to Simon and men like Simon. This Pharisee had evidently tried to live up to his light, though his life was disfigured with censoriousness, narrowness, harshness, and pride - the many faults of his class. He too had heard Jesus, and had been moved and struck by his words, and, after a fashion, loved him; only the world - his world - came between him and his love, so that it was only a poor, pale reflection of the real feeling after all. But our Lord gives him full credit for that little love. He even excuses its poverty by saying that he, Simon, had only received a little forgiveness, and there fore only a little love was the result. Though the Lord implies in his sad irony that the little forgiveness which he had received was Simon's own fault, for he did not think, in his self-righteousness, that he had any need to be forgiven. "O Pharisaee, parum diligis, quia parum tibi dimitti suspicaris; non quia parum dimittitur, sed quia parum putas quod dimittitur" (St. Augustine, 'Serm.' 99.). Godet has a deep reflection on this state of Simon's. He asks, "May forgiveness be only partial? Then there would be men half-saved, half-lost The real forgiveness of the least sin certainly contains in germ a complete salvation, but only in germ. If faith is maintained and grows, this forgiveness will gradually extend to all the sins of a man's life, just as they will then become more thoroughly known and acknowledged. The first forgiveness is the pledge of all the rest. In the contrary case, the forgiveness already granted will be withdrawn, just as represented in the parable of the wicked debtor (Matthew 18.); and the work of grace, instead of becoming complete, will prove abortive."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Therefore
χάριν (charin)
Preposition
Strong's 5484: Accusative case of charis as preposition; through favor of, i.e. On account of.

I tell
λέγω (legō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

you,
σοι (soi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

because
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

her
αὐτῆς (autēs)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

many
πολλαί (pollai)
Adjective - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 4183: Much, many; often.

sins
ἁμαρτίαι (hamartiai)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 266: From hamartano; a sin.

have been forgiven,
ἀφέωνται (apheōntai)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 863: From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications.

she has loved
ἠγάπησεν (ēgapēsen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 25: To love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem. Perhaps from agan; to love.

much.
πολύ (poly)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4183: Much, many; often.

But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

he who
(hō)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

has been forgiven
ἀφίεται (aphietai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 863: From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications.

little
ὀλίγον (oligon)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3641: Puny; especially neuter somewhat.

loves
ἀγαπᾷ (agapa)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 25: To love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem. Perhaps from agan; to love.

little.”
ὀλίγον (oligon)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3641: Puny; especially neuter somewhat.


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NT Gospels: Luke 7:47 Therefore I tell you her sins which (Luke Lu Lk)
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