Holy Bible Online 
The Parable of the Two Debtors is a story told by Jesus during a dinner where Jesus had been invited to dine at Simon’s house. While they were at the table, a sinful woman (often referred to as a "sinner" in the Gospel of Luke) came in, approached Jesus, and began to anoint His feet with perfume, weeping and wiping His feet with her hair. This woman’s actions shocked everyone in the room, especially Simon, who thought 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" (Luke 7:39). With the below illustration, Jesus taught the importance of recognizing ourselves as flawed and in need of God's forgiveness. Only then can we truly demonstrate love and gratitude to Christ for His redemptive work.
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.
- Luke 7:41-43
This brief parable, recorded in Luke 7, teaches us about the importance of recognizing our state as sinners in need of the great forgiveness that Jesus offers us. Those who recognize they owe much tend to love more deeply the one who forgives them. However, if we believe we owe little or nothing, our gratitude is often minimal or absent.
Biblical Explanation of the Parable of the Two Debtors
This small story serves as a powerful illustration of forgiveness, love, and gratitude. Through it, we see the attitude of two fictional characters reacting to the forgiveness they received. The love shown is directly related to the awareness of the forgiveness one needs to receive.
The actions of the woman and Simon align with the example Jesus shared. The woman demonstrated love and faith because she acknowledged her sins and recognized Jesus as the one who could forgive her. In contrast, Simon did not regard Jesus as divine, a prophet, or even as an honored guest. He failed to show Him the customary courtesies given to any guest, even a regular one.
In Jesus' time, when receiving a guest in one's home, the host was expected to provide comfort and show respect. Some common gestures included:
Greeting with a kiss: A kiss was a common form of greeting and demonstration of affection among friends and family members. It was considered a sign of welcome and respect. Typically, a kiss on the cheek or on the hands was given to the guest as a sign of warm reception.
Washing the feet: Due to the dusty roads and the use of sandals, feet were often dirty after a journey. Therefore, washing the feet of guests was a common courtesy when receiving visitors at home. This not only provided comfort to the guest but also served as a gesture of humility by the host.
Anointing the head with oil: Anointing a guest’s head with fragrant oil was a sign of honor and respect. The oil had refreshing and aromatic properties and was used as a token of welcome and appreciation. Additionally, the oil had a calming and revitalizing effect, providing relief after a tiring journey.
These gestures of courtesy were deeply ingrained in the culture of the time and reflected values of hospitality, respect, and generosity. However, the Pharisee Simon did not offer any of these gestures to Jesus.
Simon's attitude clearly showed that he considered himself infallible and, therefore, did not feel the need for the mercy of the Savior. In contrast, those who acknowledge their sinful state are led to genuine expressions of love and gratitude, as demonstrated by the sinful woman. Despite the critical gazes of others, she showed deep devotion to Jesus with full surrender and reverence.
Context of the Parable of the Two Debtors
Here is the full passage and what motivated Jesus to tell this small story:
Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman
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.”
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.”
- Luke 7:36-50
In this episode, a sinful woman enters the house of the Pharisee and anoints Jesus' feet with perfume and tears, demonstrating repentance and devotion. Seeing this, the Pharisee host criticizes Jesus in his heart, questioning His identity as a prophet for allowing contact with a sinner.
Jesus, perceiving Simon's thoughts, shares the Parable of the Two Debtors. He describes two people: one who owed a large sum and the other a smaller amount. Both were forgiven by the creditor. Jesus then asks Simon which of the two would be more grateful. Simon correctly answered that the one forgiven of the larger debt would show more gratitude.
Differences Between Simon (the Pharisee) and the Sinful Woman
Simon - compared to the one who loved little in the parable
Represents those who consider themselves righteous and fail to recognize their need for forgiveness, showing little love and gratitude toward Jesus.
Attitude toward his own sin:
Perhaps due to being a religious man with high social prestige and knowledge of God's Law, Simon did not see himself as a sinner. He presumed himself to be righteous and without sin. However, all people sin, and Simon’s attitudes revealed his hidden sins: he judged both the woman and Jesus in his heart, displaying pride, arrogance, judgment, and self-justification. Simon did not repent of his faults, nor did he apologize after this great lesson from Jesus.
Reaction in the presence of Jesus:
Although Simon invited Jesus to dinner, he did not show the expected hospitality for a guest. He did not offer the usual courtesies extended to guests at that time, such as greeting with a kiss, offering a place to wash feet, or anointing with oil. He did not show appreciation or honor to Jesus. On the contrary, he criticized Him in his heart and doubted His identity as a prophet.
Reaction to the Presence of Jesus:
Simon, although he invited Jesus to dinner, failed to show even the most basic hospitality expected of a host. He neglected customary courtesies of the time: a kiss of greeting, providing water to refresh and wash the guest’s feet, anointing with oil, etc. He neither showed appreciation nor honor to Jesus; instead, he criticized Him in his heart and doubted His identity as a prophet.
The Sinful Woman - Compared to the One Who Loved More
She represents someone who acknowledges their sinful nature and therefore expresses deep love and gratitude to Jesus for the forgiveness received.
Attitude Toward Her Own Sin:
The Bible does not specify the woman’s sin, but she was likely a prostitute, known within the city. This nameless woman would have been ostracized by society. Yet, she recognized her sinful condition and her need for divine help, demonstrating repentance. She approached Christ with humility, surrender, and contrition.
Reaction to the Presence of Jesus:
The sinful woman displayed profound devotion and love for Jesus, going beyond the usual norms of hospitality. Despite not appearing outwardly religious, she recognized Jesus as the Savior of sins, the Messiah. She humbled herself at His feet and, by anointing them with perfume and tears, showed she understood the importance of honoring Him with the best she had to offer.
Those who fail to recognize their own sinfulness reveal a lack of faith, as reflected in their inability to appreciate and respond to the grace God has extended to them.
See Also: