Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Luke 7:43
Simon answered and said, I suppose that [he,] to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
43. I suppose ] ‘I imagine;’ ‘I presume.’ The original word has a shade of supercilious irony (comp. Act 2:15), as though Simon thought the question very trivial, and never dreamt that it could have any bearing on himself.
rightly ] There is a touch of gentle sarcasm in the use of this word, which involves Simon’s self-condemnation. It is the word so often adopted by Socrates as one of his implements of dialectic irony.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
I suppose … – He saw not the point of our Lords parable. By thus saying, therefore, he condemned himself, and prepared the way for our Lords reproof.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 43. He to whom he forgave most.] By this acknowledgment he was, unknowingly to himself, prepared to receive our Lord’s reproof.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Simon answered and said,…. Very readily, without any hesitation, not being aware of the application of it, to the instance he had been pondering in his mind:
I suppose, that he to whom he forgave most; it was his opinion, and to him a plain case, that he that owed the largest debt, and that being forgiven him fully, and freely, as he was under the greatest obligation, so as he ought, he would show the greatest love and affection to his kind and gracious creditor:
and he said unto him; that is, Jesus said, as the Syriac and Persic versions express it:
thou hast rightly judged; this is a right and true judgment of the case; it is according to the nature and truth of things, and what is obvious and clear at first sight, and which every one must agree to.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
I suppose (). Old verb, originally to take up from under, to bear away as on high, to take up in speech (Lu 10:30), to take up in mind or to assume as here and Ac 2:15. Here with an air of supercilious indifference (Plummer).
The most ( ). The more.
Rightly (). Correctly. Socrates was fond of . The end of the argument.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
I suppose [] . The verb literally means to take up by getting under. It might be rendered, accordingly, I take it.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Simon answered and said,” (apokeitheis Simon eipen) “Responding Simon the Pharisee-host said,” not realizing the spiritual truth or message, 1Co 2:14.
2) “I suppose that he to whom he forgave most.” (hupolambano hot! ho to pleion echaristato) “I suppose that it would be the one to whom he freely forgave the greater amount of debt,” little realizing that he was condemning himself, a normal, human conclusion. Even the Samaritan woman had showed her love for His forgiveness to her witnessing to many men of what Jesus had done for her, Joh 4:39.
3) “And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.” (ho de eipen auto orthos ekrinas) “Then he said to him, you judged rightly,” Jesus accepted and applied Simon’s verdict, in an orthodox or sound manner of judgment; you concluded rightly. It was out of forgiveness of much sin and demon possession that Mary Magdalene was thereafter a devout servant and witness of Jesus through the rest of His life, and after the resurrection, Mar 16:9-11.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(43) I suppose that he. . . .The same word occurs in the same sense as Act. 2:15. As used here, it seems to carry with it a tone partly of indifference, partly of uneasiness and perplexity as to what the drift of the parable might be.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
43. I suppose This is the modest expression of Simon’s opinion. To which our Lord, supplying him a more authoritative term, replies, “Thou hast rightly judged.” Our Lord’s illustration, like Nathan’s parable to David, makes the auditor decide the actual case before he hears it.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘Simon answered and said, “He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most.” And he said to him, “You have rightly judged.”
Simon had no difficulty in answering that one. It was the one who was forgiven the most. And Jesus replied that he had got it absolutely right.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he , to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
Ver. 43. Thou hast rightly judged ] See here and imitate our Saviour’s candour: cui virtuti per se pulcherrimae grande pretium raritas addidit, nostro quidem aevo, saith one, this is a rare and rich virtue.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
43. ] In the of Simon, we have, understood, “that is, if they feel as they ought.”
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
I suppose = I take it. Greek. hupolambano, used only by Luke; here, Luk 10:30. Act 1:9; Act 2:15. Medical use, to check (a disease).
judged. App-122.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
43.] In the of Simon, we have, understood, that is, if they feel as they ought.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Luk 7:43. ) , LXX. .-, thou hast judged) a judgment which goes against thine own self; Luk 7:47.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
I: Luk 7:47, 1Co 15:9, 1Co 15:10, 2Co 5:14, 2Co 5:15, 1Ti 1:13-16
Thou: Luk 10:38, Psa 116:16-18, Mar 12:34
Reciprocal: Mat 18:26 – have Luk 10:28 – Thou hast Joh 13:13 – and
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
3
Simon answered the question correctly that Jesus asked.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Luk 7:43. I suppose. We are to understand, that is, if they feel as they ought.
To whom he forgave the most. From this correct answer a false conclusion has often been drawn, oftener in thought and deed than in word. Men sometimes find in it an encouragement to sin, on the theory that the greater their present sin, the greater their future love. But the sense of sin is represented by the debt, and the question does not necessarily mean: which will be the better Christian? but rather, which will be the more affectionate, self-sacrificing in outward manifestations of gratitude?
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
The answer to Jesus’ question may have been obvious to Simon, though he seems to have known very little about forgiveness and love. However, he apparently knew that Jesus sometimes used questions to lure His critics into a trap. So he replied with uneasy reluctance allowing the possibility that the answer might not be as obvious as it appeared to be.