After being condemned by the Pharisees for letting a woman "sinner" wash his feet with her tears, and giving a parable.
Luke 7:47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
Luke 7:47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.
I tell you her returned favor, they have been let go those mistakes of hers, the many because she cared much. To whom, however, little is let go, little he might care.
Do a favor and we can have a favor returned.
The first two words are ignored here. They mean "her returned favor," and are the object of "I tell you." This makes perfect sense, "her returned favor." The noun meaning "returned favor" means "outward grace or favor", "beauty", "gracefully", "grace or favor felt", "sense of favor received", "thankfulness", "gratitude", "a favor done or returned", "boon", "gratification" and so on. This is the only time Jesus uses this word.
The word translated as "sins" is a form of a word that means "to fail in one's purpose", "to neglect," and "to be deprived of." It has no sense of doing malicious evil in Greek. The best English translation is "mistakes" or "failures" rather than what we commonly think of as the evils of "sin." See this article for more information and context.
The word translated as "loved" expresses a lot of different ideas including "to be fond of", "to greet with affection", "to persuade", and "to be contented with." See this article on love for more information. Interestingly, it is not the root word of the word used for "kiss" in Luke 7:45, which is also commonly translated as "love". However, the context is still the greeting, so the sense of "greet with affection" is strongest here.
The word translated as "is forgiven" primarily means "to let go" or "to send away." This same word is usually translated as "leave", "forgive", "suffer," and "let" in the New Testament.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "wherefore" should be something more like "her."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "outward favor" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "sins" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "sin" does not capture the word's general meaning.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "which" should be something more like "these."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The "are" doesn't exist in the source.
- (CW) The word translated as "forgive" primarily means "to let go" or "to send away."
- CW - Confusing Word - This is one of two different verbs with different meanings translated as "love" so the translation confuses them.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "forgive" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- CW - Confusing Word - This is one of two different verbs with different meanings translated as "love" so the translation confuses them.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "wherefore" should be something more like "her."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "outward favor" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "many" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "sins" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "sin" does not capture the word's general meaning.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The word translated as "forgive" primarily means "to let go" or "to send away."
- CW - Confusing Word - This is one of two different verbs with different meanings translated as "love" so the translation confuses them.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "forgive" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- CW - Confusing Word - This is one of two different verbs with different meanings translated as "love" so the translation confuses them.
Wherefore -- (WW) -- The word translated as "wherefore" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun, "he," "she," "it," "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "when," "for which reason," and many similar meanings. The form is a possessive, so, "her" "of hers"
missing "returned favor" -- (MW) The untranslated word means "outward grace or favor", "beauty", "gracefully", "grace or favor felt", "sense of favor received", "thankfulness", "gratitude", "a favor done or returned", "boon", "gratification", "delight",
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the following verb.
say -- The word translated as "say" is the most common word that means "to say," and "to speak," but it also means "to teach," which seems to be the way Christ uses it more frequently. It also has many ancillary meanings such as "to count" ("to number" or like we might say, "to recount" a story) or "to choose for yourself." Christ usually uses this word to refer to his own speaking or teaching. The form of the verb could also be a possible action, "might say" or "should say."
unto -- This word "unto" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English, but the translator must decide which preposition to use: a "to" as an indirect object.
thee, -- The word for "you" is the indirect object form of the singular, second-person pronoun in the form of an indirect object, which usually requires a preposition in English, like "to you."
Her -- The word translated as "/her" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. The word appears after the noun so the sense is "of hers."
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
sins, -- (CW) The word translated as "sins" means "missing the mark," "failure," "fault," and "error." Only in religious uses does it become "guilt" and "sin," having no sense of doing malicious evil in Greek. The best English translation is "mistake," "fault," or "failure" rather than what we commonly think of as the evils of "sin." See this article for more information and context.
which -- (WW) The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun.The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
are -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
many, -- The word translated as "many" means many in number, great in power or worth, and large in size.
are -- (WT) This helping verb "are" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English. This is the present tense, but the verb is the past perfect. WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "are" indicates the present tense, but the tense is the past perfect "have been let go."
forgiven; -- "Forgiven" is from a word that means "to let fall," "to send away," "give up," "hand over," "to let loose," "set free," "to get rid of," "to leave alone," "to pass by," "to permit," and "to send forth from oneself." It is not a helping verb as such.
for -- The word translated as "for" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore." Jesus usually uses this word to mean "because" in statements that seem like an answer to a question because of the change of context.
she -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
loved -- (CW) The word translated as "love" expresses a lot of different ideas including "to care for," "to be fond of," "to greet with affection," "to persuade," and "to be contented with." Jesus however, applies it to relationships where we have a duty to care for others: family, God, etc. Another word, also translated as "love," is used to for relationships of affectionate friendship that are more voluntary. To distinguish this word, translating it as "cares for" seems to work best. See this article on love for more information.
much: -- The word translated as "many" means many in number, great in power or worth, and large in size.
but -- The Greek word translated as "but" means "but," "however," and "on the other hand." It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better. It can also be an explanation of cause ("so"). When used with a conditional starting a clause, the sense is "if/when...then." When used with a particle meaning "indeed" the sense is "on one hand...on the other hand." In a listing, the sense is "then" or "yet." After an interruption, "so then."to whom little is forgiven, the same
to -- This word "to" comes from the indirect object form of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object. However, the translator can choose other prepositions: "with," "in," "of," "as," "by," "for," "at," or "on" depending on the context.
whom -- The word translated as "whom" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun, "he," "she," "it," "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "for which reason," and many similar meanings.
little - The Greek word translated as "few" means "little," "small," "slight," "few," and "weak."
is -- This helping verb "is" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
forgiven, (CW) The word translated as "forgive" primarily means "to let go" or "to send away." It can also means "remit" a debt or "excuse" a fault. It has the sense of leaving something alone and letting it drop. See this article for more.
the same -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
loveth -- (CW) The word translated as "love" expresses a lot of different ideas including "to care for," "to be fond of," "to greet with affection," "to persuade," and "to be contented with." Jesus however, applies it to relationships where we have a duty to care for others: family, God, etc. Another word, also translated as "love," is used to for relationships of affectionate friendship that are more voluntary. To distinguish this word, translating it as "cares for" seems to work best. See this article on love for more information.
little. - The Greek word translated as "few" means "little," "small," "slight," "few," and "weak."
Therefore-- (WW) -- The word translated as "wherefore" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun, "he," "she," "it," "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "when," "for which reason," and many similar meanings. The form is a possessive so, "her" "of hers"
missing "returned favor" -- (MW) The untranslated word means "outward grace or favor", "beauty", "gracefully", "grace or favor felt", "sense of favor received", "thankfulness", "gratitude", "a favor done or returned", "boon", "gratification", "delight",
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the following verb.
tell-- The word translated as "tell" is the most common word that means "to say," and "to speak," but it also means "to teach," which seems to be the way Christ uses it more frequently. It also has many ancillary meanings such as "to count" ("to number" or like we might say, "to recount" a story) or "to choose for yourself." Christ usually uses this word to refer to his own speaking or teaching. The form of the verb could also be a possible action, "might say" or "should say."
you, -- The word for "you" is the indirect object form of the singular, second-person pronoun in the form of an indirect object, which usually requires a preposition in English, like "to you."
many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.
her -- The word translated as "/her" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. The word appears after the noun so the sense is "of hers."
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
many, -- The word translated as "many" means many in number, great in power or worth, and large in size.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
sins, -- (CW) The word translated as "sins" means "missing the mark," "failure," "fault," and "error." Only in religious uses does it become "guilt" and "sin," having no sense of doing malicious evil in Greek. The best English translation is "mistake," "fault," or "failure" rather than what we commonly think of as the evils of "sin." See this article for more information and context.
are -- (WT) This helping verb "are" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English. This is the present tense, but the verb is the past perfect. WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "are" indicates the present tense, but the tense is the past perfect "have been let go."
forgiven; -- (CW) "Forgiven" is from a word that means "to let fall," "to send away," "give up," "hand over," "to let loose," "set free," "to get rid of," "to leave alone," "to pass by," "to permit," and "to send forth from oneself." It is not a helping verb as such.
for -- The word translated as "for" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore." Jesus usually uses this word to mean "because" in statements that seem like an answer to a question because of the change of context.
she -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
loved -- (CW) The word translated as "love" expresses a lot of different ideas including "to care for," "to be fond of," "to greet with affection," "to persuade," and "to be contented with." Jesus however, applies it to relationships where we have a duty to care for others: family, God, etc. Another word, also translated as "love," is used to for relationships of affectionate friendship that are more voluntary. To distinguish this word, translating it as "cares for" seems to work best. See this article on love for more information.
much: -- The word translated as "many" means many in number, great in power or worth, and large in size.
but -- The Greek word translated as "but" means "but," "however," and "on the other hand." It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better. It can also be an explanation of cause ("so"). When used with a conditional starting a clause, the sense is "if/when...then." When used with a particle meaning "indeed" the sense is "on one hand...on the other hand." In a listing, the sense is "then" or "yet." After an interruption, "so then."to whom little is forgiven, the same
to -- This word "to" comes from the indirect object form of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object. However, the translator can choose other prepositions: "with," "in," "of," "as," "by," "for," "at," or "on" depending on the context.
whom -- The word translated as "whom" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun, "he," "she," "it," "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "for which reason," and many similar meanings.
little - The Greek word translated as "few" means "little," "small," "slight," "few," and "weak."
is -- This helping verb "is" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
forgiven, (CW) The word translated as "forgive" primarily means "to let go" or "to send away." It can also means "remit" a debt or "excuse" a fault. It has the sense of leaving something alone and letting it drop. See this article for more.
the same -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
loveth -- (CW) The word translated as "love" expresses a lot of different ideas including "to care for," "to be fond of," "to greet with affection," "to persuade," and "to be contented with." Jesus however, applies it to relationships where we have a duty to care for others: family, God, etc. Another word, also translated as "love," is used to for relationships of affectionate friendship that are more voluntary. To distinguish this word, translating it as "cares for" seems to work best. See this article on love for more information.
little. - The Greek word translated as "few" means "little," "small," "slight," "few," and "weak."
οὗ [294 verses](pron sg fem gen indeclform) "Where" is hos, which means "this," "that," "he," "she," "it," "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "when," " "for which reason," and many similar meanings.
χάριν, [1 verse](noun sg fem acc) "-Fore-" is charin, which means "outward grace or favor", "beauty", "gracefully", "grace or favor felt", "sense of favor received", "thankfulness", "gratitude", "a favor done or returned", "boon", "gratification", and "delight". As an adverb it means "in any one's favor", "for his pleasure", "for his sake", (as a preposition), "for the sake of", "on behalf of", and "on account of". -
λέγω [264 verses](verb 1st sg pres ind act) "I say" is lego, which means "to recount," "to tell over," "to say," "to speak," "to teach," "to mean," "boast of," "tell of," "recite," nominate," and "command." When used with an object is has the sense of "call by name." It has a secondary meaning "pick out," "choose for oneself," "pick up," "gather," "count," and "recount." A less common word that is spelled the same means "to lay," "to lay asleep" and "to lull asleep." This word is more about making a statement than participating in a discussion. Translating is as "stated" might distinguish it better.
σοὶ [81 verses](pron 2nd sg dat) "You" is soi which is the singular, second-person pronoun, "you," in the form of an indirect pronoun.
ἀφέωνται [73 verses] (verb 3rd pl perf ind mp) "Are forgiven" is aphiemi, which means "to let fall," "to send away," "give up," "hand over," "to let loose," "set free," "to get rid of," "to leave alone," "to pass by," "to permit," and "to send forth from oneself." The dative is the person it is left to. The accusative object is what is left, given away, etc. It can also mean to "remit" a debt or "excuse" a fault. With an accusative person as an object and an infinite, it means "to permit one."
αἱ [821 verses](article pl fem nom) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). When not preceding a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." Without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." Before any word other than a noun, it changes it to act like a noun. Proper nouns do normally not take articles but they are needed when the noun ending cannot be changed to show the noun's role in the sentence as an object, indirect object, or genitive (possessive) form. However, the Greek article is very close to "this" so the purpose of an article like this can also be demonstrative. See this article. -
ἁμαρτίαι [28 verses](noun pl fem nom) "Sins" is hamartia, which means "missing the mark," "failure," "fault," and "error." Only in religious uses does it become "guilt" and "sin."
αἱ [821 verses](article pl fem nom) "Which" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). When not preceding a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." Without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." Before any word other than a noun, it changes it to act like a noun. Proper nouns do normally not take articles but they are needed when the noun ending cannot be changed to show the noun's role in the sentence as an object, indirect object, or genitive (possessive) form. However, the Greek article is very close to "this" so the purpose of an article like this can also be demonstrative. See this article.
πολλαί, [61 verses](adj pl fem nom) "Many" is polys, which means "many (in number)," "great (in size or power or worth)," and "large (of space)." As an adverb, it means "far," "very much," "a great way," and "long."
ὅτι [332 verses](adv/conj) "for" is hoti, which introduces a statement of fact "with regard to the fact that," "seeing that," and acts as a causal adverb meaning "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."
ἠγάπησεν [32 verses](verb 3rd sg aor ind act) "She loved" is agapao, which means "to care for," "to be fond of," "to greet with affection," "to persuade," "to caress," "to prize," "to desire," "to be pleased with," and "to be contended with." This love is more associated with affection in relationships where we are obligated. Jesus uses another word. Jesus uses another word, phileô, which means "to love," "to like," "to be fond of doing," and "to show affection" to express "love" in the sense of like and dislike. He never uses the word eros, which describes romantic, sexual love.
πολύ: [61 verses](adj sg neut acc) "Much" is polys, which means "many (in number)," "great (in size or power or worth)," and "large (of space)." As an adverb, it means "far," "very much," "a great way," and "long."
ᾧ [294 verses](pron sg masc dat) Untranslated is hos, which means "this," "that," "he," "she," "it," "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "for which reason," and many similar meanings.
δὲ [446 verses](conj) "But" is de which means "but" and "on the other hand." It is the particle that joins sentences in an adversarial way but can also be an explanation of indirect cause ("so"). In an "if" (εἰ ) clause or temporal "when" (ὅταν) clause the sense is "if/when... then." In a series begun by men, its means "on the other hand." In a listing, the sense is "then" or "yet." After an interruption, "so then."
ὀλίγον [19 verses](adj sg masc nom/acc) "Little" is oligos, which means "little," "small," "slight," "few," and "weak." As an adverb it means "a little," "slightly," and "little."
ἀφίεται, [73 verses](verb 3rd sg pres ind mp) "Is forgiven" is aphiemi, which means "to let fall," "to send away," "give up," "hand over," "to let loose," "set free," "to get rid of," "to leave alone," "to pass by," "to permit," and "to send forth from oneself." The dative is the person it is left to. The accusative object is what is left, given away, etc. It can also mean to "remit" a debt or "excuse" a fault. With an accusative person as an object and an infinite, it means "to permit one."
ὀλίγον [19 verses](adj sg masc nom/acc) "Little" is oligos, which means "little," "small," "slight," "few," and "weak." As an adverb it means "a little," "slightly," and "little."
ἀγαπᾷ. [32 verses](verb 3rd sg pres subj act) "Loveth" is agapao, which means "to care for," "to be fond of," "to greet with affection," "to persuade," "to caress," "to prize," "to desire," "to be pleased with," and "to be contended with." This love is more associated with affection in relationships where we are obligated. Jesus uses another word. Jesus uses another word, phileô, which means "to love," "to like," "to be fond of doing," and "to show affection" to express "love" in the sense of like and dislike. He never uses the word eros, which describes romantic, sexual love.