Luke 7:48

Luke 7:48

In Luke 7:48, Jesus tells the unnamed woman, “Thy sins are forgiven.” The scene unfolds at a Pharisee’s house where a woman known for her sinful past shows extravagant love to Christ, washing his feet with her tears and anointing them with perfume. The act creates tension: the host, Simon the Pharisee, questions Jesus’ authority to forgive sins, and observers mutter that Jesus is blasphemous if he can forgive sins. Jesus responds not merely with a declaration to the woman but with a demonstration that spiritual power precedes outward moral reform. Forgiveness is granted before evidence of change is visible, signaling the kingdom’s reversal: God’s mercy precedes human merit.

Cultural note: In first-century Palestine, forgiving sins was believed to belong to God alone, and Jesus’ authority to forgive indicated his divine prerogative. The act of touching the feet, a humble posture of service, underscores repentance’s humility and gratitude.

This verse centers on grace as primary: forgiveness granted by Jesus stems from mercy, not the woman’s penance. It foreshadows the gospel’s core claim that reconciliation with God is by faith and trust in Jesus’ authority, not by perfect behavior first. The response of the bystanders—skepticism about Jesus’ power to forgive—highlights human limits in perceiving grace. Jesus reads the heart and extension of mercy becomes a tangible sign of inward transformation. The phrase “thy sins are forgiven” also sets up a tension between mercy and the charge of blasphemy, which Jesus will navigate by revealing power over spiritual forces as well as moral fault.

We are invited to receive forgiveness before we can “clean up” our lives. If you carry a sense that you must earn God’s mercy, remember this moment: Jesus meets the sinner with grace first. Practically, respond with thanksgiving and radical devotion—like the woman—rather than bargaining for performance. When you confess sins, trust that Jesus’ forgiveness is operative now, not only after you’ve fixed things. This can transform relationships: extend forgiveness to others as freely as you’ve received it. Let gratitude move you to acts of service, not to earn approval, but to honor God who forgives.

Cross-References: Matthew 9:2-8; Luke 5:20-26; Luke 7:36-50; Acts 10:43; Ephesians 1:7