Luke 7:42
New International Version
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?”

New Living Translation
But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?”

English Standard Version
When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

Berean Standard Bible
When they were unable to repay him, he forgave both of them. Which one, then, will love him more?”

Berean Literal Bible
They having nothing to pay, he forgave both. Therefore which of them will love him more?"

King James Bible
And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?

New King James Version
And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?”

New American Standard Bible
When they were unable to repay, he canceled the debts of both. So which of them will love him more?”

NASB 1995
“When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?”

NASB 1977
“When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him more?”

Legacy Standard Bible
When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?”

Amplified Bible
When they had no means of repaying [the debts], he freely forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?”

Christian Standard Bible
Since they could not pay it back, he graciously forgave them both. So, which of them will love him more? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Since they could not pay it back, he graciously forgave them both. So, which of them will love him more?”

American Standard Version
When they had not wherewith to pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?

Contemporary English Version
Since neither of them could pay him back, the moneylender said that they didn't have to pay him anything. Which one of them will like him more?"

English Revised Version
When they had not wherewith to pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When they couldn't pay it back, he was kind enough to cancel their debts. Now, who do you think will love him the most?"

Good News Translation
Neither of them could pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Which one, then, will love him more?"

International Standard Version
When they couldn't pay it back, he generously canceled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?"

Majority Standard Bible
When they were unable to repay him, he forgave both of them. Tell Me, which one, then, will love him more??

NET Bible
When they could not pay, he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"

New Heart English Bible
When they could not pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?"

Webster's Bible Translation
And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?

Weymouth New Testament
But neither of them could pay anything; so he freely forgave them both. Tell me, then, which of them will love him most?"

World English Bible
When they couldn’t pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and they not having [with which] to give back, he forgave both; which of them then, do you say, will love him more?”

Berean Literal Bible
They having nothing to pay, he forgave both. Therefore which of them will love him more?"

Young's Literal Translation
and they not having wherewith to give back, he forgave both; which then of them, say thou, will love him more?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And they not having to pay, he bestowed as a gift upon both. Which of them therefore will love him the more? Say thou.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And whereas they had not wherewith to pay, he forgave them both. Which therefore of the two loveth him most?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And since they did not have the ability to repay him, he forgave them both. So then, which of them loves him more?”

New American Bible
Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both. Which of them will love him more?”

New Revised Standard Version
When they could not pay, he canceled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And because they had nothing to pay, he forgave them both. Which one of them will love him more?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“And because they had nothing to pay he forgave both of them. Which of them therefore will love him more?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But as they had nothing to pay, he forgave them both. Which of them, then, will love him the more?

Godbey New Testament
And they not being able to pay, he forgave them both. Then which one of them will love him the more?

Haweis New Testament
But having nothing to pay, he forgave them both. Tell me, which of these, then, will love him most?

Mace New Testament
having not wherewithal to pay it, he freely discharged them both of the debt, tell me now, which of the two will love him most?

Weymouth New Testament
But neither of them could pay anything; so he freely forgave them both. Tell me, then, which of them will love him most?"

Worrell New Testament
And, they having nothing to pay, he forgave them both. Which of them, therefore, will love him the more?"

Worsley New Testament
and they not being able to pay him, he freely forgave them both: tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Sinful Woman Anoints Jesus
41“Two men were debtors to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42When they were unable to repay him, he forgave both of them. Which one, then, will love him more?” 43“I suppose the one who was forgiven more,” Simon replied. “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.…

Cross References
Matthew 18:27
His master had compassion on him, forgave his debt, and released him.

Matthew 6:12
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Matthew 18:23-35
Because of this, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. / As he began the settlements, a debtor owing ten thousand talents was brought to him. / Since the man was unable to pay, the master ordered that he be sold to pay his debt, along with his wife and children and everything he owned. ...

Colossians 2:13-14
When you were dead in your trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our trespasses, / having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross!

Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.

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.”

Psalm 32:1-2
Of David. A Maskil. Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. / Blessed is the man whose iniquity the LORD does not count against him, in whose spirit there is no deceit.

Psalm 103:3
He who forgives all your iniquities and heals all your diseases,

Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool.

Isaiah 43:25
I, yes I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake and remembers your sins no more.

Jeremiah 31:34
No longer will each man teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more.”

Micah 7:18-19
Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance—who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion? / He will again have compassion on us; He will vanquish our iniquities. You will cast out all our sins into the depths of the sea.

Matthew 6:14-15
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. / But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.

Mark 11:25
And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against another, forgive it, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your trespasses as well.”

Luke 11:4
And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’”


Treasury of Scripture

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

when.

Psalm 49:7,8
None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: …

Matthew 18:25,26,34
But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made…

Romans 5:6
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

he.

Psalm 32:1-5
A Psalm of David, Maschil. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered…

Psalm 51:1-3
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions…

Psalm 103:3
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

Jump to Previous
Canceled Couldn't Debt Debts Fifty Five Forgave Frankly Free Graciously Greater Hundred Jesus Love Money Once Owed Pay Payment Repay Shillings Unable
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Canceled Couldn't Debt Debts Fifty Five Forgave Frankly Free Graciously Greater Hundred Jesus Love Money Once Owed Pay Payment Repay Shillings Unable
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.














When they were unable to repay
This phrase highlights the human condition of spiritual indebtedness. The Greek word for "unable" (οὐκ ἔχοντων) emphasizes a complete lack of resources or ability. In the context of the parable, it reflects our inability to atone for our sins through our own efforts. Historically, debt was a serious matter in ancient times, often leading to slavery or imprisonment. This underscores the gravity of our spiritual debt to God, which we cannot repay by our own means.

he forgave both
The Greek word for "forgave" (ἐχαρίσατο) is derived from the root "charis," meaning grace. This indicates that the forgiveness offered is an act of grace, unmerited and freely given. In the historical context of the New Testament, forgiveness of debt was a radical act, often unheard of, which parallels the radical nature of God's grace. This phrase reminds us of the boundless mercy of God, who forgives our sins not because of our worthiness, but because of His loving nature.

Which of them will love him more?
This rhetorical question invites introspection and reflection on the relationship between forgiveness and love. The Greek word for "love" (ἀγαπήσει) is rooted in "agape," which signifies a selfless, unconditional love. The question posed by Jesus challenges the listener to consider the depth of gratitude and love that should naturally flow from the experience of being forgiven. In a scriptural context, this reflects the transformative power of grace, which not only absolves but also deepens our love and devotion to God. Historically, this teaching would have been counter-cultural, as it elevates the internal transformation over external adherence to the law.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[When] they
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
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.

were unable
ἐχόντων (echontōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

to repay [him],
ἀποδοῦναι (apodounai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 591: From apo and didomi; to give away, i.e. Up, over, back, etc.

he forgave
ἐχαρίσατο (echarisato)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5483: (a) To show favor to, (b) To pardon, forgive, (c) To show kindness.

both [of them].
ἀμφοτέροις (amphoterois)
Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 297: Both (of two). Comparative of amphi; both.

Which
τίς (tis)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

[one],
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
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.

then,
οὖν (oun)
Conjunction
Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.

will love
ἀγαπήσει (agapēsei)
Verb - Future 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.

him
αὐτόν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 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.

more?”
πλεῖον (pleion)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular - Comparative
Strong's 4119: Or neuter pleion, or pleon comparative of polus; more in quantity, number, or quality; also the major portion.


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NT Gospels: Luke 7:42 When they couldn't pay he forgave them (Luke Lu Lk)
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