Luke 7 49

Luke 7:49 kjv

And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?

Luke 7:49 nkjv

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

Luke 7:49 niv

The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"

Luke 7:49 esv

Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this, who even forgives sins?"

Luke 7:49 nlt

The men at the table said among themselves, "Who is this man, that he goes around forgiving sins?"

Luke 7 verses

Luke 7 49 Meaning

Luke 7:49 details the shocked and questioning reaction of the dinner guests witnessing Jesus, a man, forgiving the sins of a publicly known sinful woman. This verse underscores the guests' immediate recognition that the power to forgive sins was a divine prerogative, exclusively belonging to God, thus revealing their internal debate about Jesus' true identity and authority.

Luke 7 49 Context

Luke 7:49 is nestled within a pivotal narrative (Lk 7:36-50) often called the "Anointing by the Sinful Woman" or "Parable of the Two Debtors." Jesus is a guest at the home of Simon, a Pharisee. While dining, a woman known as a sinner (likely a prostitute) enters, washes Jesus' feet with her tears, anoints them with perfume, and kisses them. Simon the Pharisee is indignant, silently questioning Jesus' prophetic insight ("If He were a prophet, He would know who and what manner of woman this is..."). Jesus, knowing Simon's thoughts, tells the parable of the two debtors (one owing a large sum, one a small sum, both forgiven), implying that the one forgiven much will love much. Jesus then states directly to the woman, "Your sins are forgiven" (Lk 7:48). This direct declaration is the immediate antecedent to the guests' questioning reaction in Luke 7:49, setting the stage for their shock at His claim of divine prerogative, a claim only God could make.

Luke 7 49 Word analysis

• And (Καὶ - Kai): A simple conjunction connecting the events, emphasizing the direct consequence of Jesus' previous declaration.
• those who were at table (οἱ συνανακείμενοι - hoi synanakeimenoi): Refers to the other guests reclining with Jesus at Simon's dinner table, typical dining posture of the time. This group includes Simon the Pharisee and others of his social standing, educated and devout. Their perspective is that of orthodox Jewish religious understanding.
• with Him (αὐτῷ - autō): Clarifies that the people at table were dining with Jesus, the central figure in this dramatic event.
• began to say (ἤρξαντο λέγειν - ērxanto legein): Implies that the reaction was a new development, a whispered discussion or muttering among themselves rather than a direct, immediate challenge to Jesus, indicating their astonishment and perhaps fear.
• among themselves (ἐν ἑαυτοῖς - en heautois): This signifies that their conversation was internal to their group, a private questioning or deliberation, possibly due to reverence for Jesus' reputation as a teacher or prophet, or perhaps caution about publicly challenging a guest.
• “Who is this (Τίς οὗτός ἐστιν - Tis houtos estin): A rhetorical question expressing extreme surprise, skepticism, and perhaps confusion. It conveys a deep uncertainty about Jesus' identity in light of His actions. The phrase itself points to their struggle to categorize Him.
• who even (ὃς καὶ - hos kai): The addition of "even" (καὶ - kai) heightens the sense of astonishment and disbelief. It implies an incredible and unexpected audacity or power – not just that He forgives, but that He (a man) dares to do such a thing.
• forgives (ἀφίησιν - aphiēsin): From the verb ἀφίημι (aphiēmi), meaning "to send away, let go, permit, pardon." In this context, it unequivocally means "to forgive" sins. The guests knew that God alone possessed the ultimate power to forgive sins, which in their theology often required repentance and sometimes specific temple rites or sacrifices.
• sins (ἁμαρτίας - hamartias): From the noun ἁμαρτία (hamartia), referring to "failure, error, missing the mark," particularly a transgression against God's law or will. The public nature of the woman's "sins" would have been scandalous to the onlookers.

Words-group Analysis

• "those who were at table with Him began to say among themselves": This highlights a collective, internal, and somewhat indirect reaction of disbelief. It reveals their social setting and underscores the shared astonishment among Simon's peers regarding Jesus' claim. Their inward muttering signifies a mixture of surprise and scandal rather than open confrontation.
• "Who is this who even forgives sins?": This rhetorical question is the crux of the verse. It encapsulates the polemic. It implies the absolute conviction among Jewish religious understanding that forgiveness of sins is God's exclusive domain (e.g., Isa 43:25; Mk 2:7). For a human to claim such power was, to them, blasphemous or indicative of divine authority. Their question challenges Jesus' identity in the strongest terms, suggesting that only God could act in such a manner.

Luke 7 49 Bonus section

The guests' reaction in Luke 7:49 inadvertently testifies to Jesus' divine authority. By articulating that only God can forgive sins and then asking who Jesus is that He does so, they confirm that Jesus is indeed doing what only God can do. This echoes how other religious leaders recognized Jesus' claims of divinity and authority in later contexts, such as the healing of the paralytic or the accusation of blasphemy (Jn 10:33). The power to forgive sins is inherently linked to the power over life and judgment, both ultimate attributes of God. This moment further demonstrates the different ways people encountered Jesus: some (like the sinful woman) recognized His power to bring salvation and peace, while others (like the guests) questioned Him from a place of tradition and skepticism.

Luke 7 49 Commentary

Luke 7:49 presents a critical theological juncture where Jesus’ authority is dramatically unveiled and challenged. The guests, steeped in a religious tradition that reserved sin-forgiveness exclusively for God, instinctively grasp the profound implication of Jesus’ declaration: He is acting as God. Their question, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" is not mere curiosity but an expression of profound shock, verging on an accusation of blasphemy, reminiscent of earlier challenges to Jesus’ authority in forgiving the paralytic's sins (Lk 5:21). Unlike the sinful woman, whose love was born of profound forgiveness, these guests remain blind to Jesus' true nature, perceiving only a human trespassing on divine prerogative. The verse emphasizes that Jesus' identity goes far beyond that of a prophet or teacher; it hints at His divine essence, establishing forgiveness as central to His messianic mission.