Parables of Jesus - Parable of the Two Debtors

Parable of the Two Debtors

The Parable of the Two Debtors is a parable of Jesus. It appears in only one of the Canonical gospels of the New Testament. According to Luke 7:36-50 Jesus uses the story of two debtors to explain that a woman loves him more than his host, because she has been forgiven of greater sins. This parable is told after his anointing.

Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman

Luke 7:36-50

New International Version (NIV)

36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table.

37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume.

38 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.

39 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.”

Parable of the Two Debtors

40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”

“Tell me, teacher,” he said.

41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.

42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”

“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

44 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.

45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet.

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

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

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

50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

The above parable clearly shows us about the God’s mercy and love for each and every individual; it is said in Titus 3:5 NIV - he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

So, we just have to believe in him. From his Mercy we are alive or we would have been perished by now (2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV - God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.) and by his Grace we are blessed (Ephesians 3:20

King James Version (KJV)

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,)

As God has forgiven us our sins we ought to forgive one another, as God loved us, we ought to love one another. In the above parable the debtor who has been forgiven the most loved the most and forgiven little loved little. 

We may look at the appearances and judge as to whom to forgive, but God doesn't, we may have certain parameters to forgive other person based on what benefit we may get out of it, but God doesn’t. He had mercy on us not on the basis of our spirituality on Godly living or our righteousness, but merely on his Grace. He showed us mercy when we are to be judged for our sins and he has given us the Grace . i.e. blessings, good things abundantly for which we never are eligible but because of his unconditional love he did it all for us.  

Have a Great Day Ahead.