The Parable of the Two Debtors is found only in Luke 7:36-50.
The Story
Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
When the pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner."
Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."
"Tell me, teacher," he said.
"Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"
Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled."
"You have judged correctly, " Jesus said.
Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but, this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."
Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."
The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"
Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." (Luke 7:38-50, New International Version).
The word Simon, a common Jewish name, means "hearing." Simon the Pharisee invited Jesus to dinner, ostensibly to hear a rabbi, but possibly to patronize him. (Barclay, Farrar). Good manners dictated that Simon give Rabbi Jesus the kiss of peace, wash his feet, and place a drop of attar of roses on his head (or a pinch of incense could be burned). Simon did none of this for Jesus. The scene was in Simon’s courtyard. Guests reclined on low couches around a table, on the left elbow, leaving the right hand free. Guests feet were away from the table. Since the public could come in when a rabbi was present, this explains how the woman could be standing at Jesus’ feet. (Barclay, DAILY STUDY BIBLE SERIES, LUKE, pp. 92 ff.).
It is interesting to note that the word Jesus used for love was AGAPE, the love of God.
The Interpretation
The characters and symbols of the story and the persons and things that they represent in reality are:
1. The Moneylender God
2. The 500 denarii Debtor The Woman
3. The 50 denarii Debtor Simon
4. The Debts Sins
The woman indicated her repentance and love for the Lord by taking a humble servant’s position. She was aware of her easily recognized sins of the flesh. Simon was not aware of his sins of the spirit.
Actually, all of us are spiritually bankrupt and unable to pay for our known and unknown sin. This is why Jesus had to die—to pay for our sin. This is why he was able to forgive the woman her sins.
Jesus states that she was justified by faith, when he said to her, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
Central Truth
ALL OF US HAVE GRIEVOUSLY SINNED AGAINST GOD.
Conclusion
God loves us in spite of our sin and rebellion against him. Let us take the Good News of God’s love and forgiveness to all. God will forgive us and justify us when we place our faith in his Son.
END