Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Luke 7:49
And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
49. began to say within themselves ] His words caused a shock of surprised silence which did not as yet dare to vent itself in open murmurs.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Who is this … – A very pertinent question. Who could he be but God? Man could not do it, and there is no wonder that they were amazed.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Luk 7:49
Began to say within themselves
Care to be exercised in our judgment of others
This should teach us to take heed how we pass sentence upon the inward intentions and purposes of men.
This power is Gods, and belongs to Him; what have we to do to usurp it? It is a well too deep for us to draw in. And yet, such is the presumption of some, that they will take upon them infallibly to know what is in the bottom of that well, whence ariseth jealousies and contentions, many times as causeless as pernicious. Indeed, by some discoveries there may be some conjectures; but let not a small conjecture make thee a great offender. Every key a man meets with is not the right one for this lock; every likelihood thou apprehendest is not a sure sign of what is within the breast. Not to let a man be private in his house is a great injury; not to let a man be private in his heart is a greater. Lastly, let us be persuaded hence to be as upright before the Lord in thought as we are just in dealing before men. It is not the white fleece God especially eyes, but the sound liver. He hath windows into the soul, and there sees that hypocrisy which lies lurking there. He is very list of hearing, and well understandeth what the heart thinketh, and (as before was showed) will answer us accordingly, (N. Rogers.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
These were either the Pharisees, who thought that Christ blasphemed in arrogating to himself such a power as belonged to God alone; or the others, who speak this rather in admiration; but it is probable the former are here meant.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
49, 50. they that sat . . . Who isthis, c.No wonder they were startled to hear One who wasreclining at the same couch, and partaking of the same hospitalitieswith themselves, assume the awful prerogative of “even forgivingsins.” But so far from receding from this claim, or softening itdown, our Lord only repeats it, with two precious additions: one,announcing what was the one secret of the “forgiveness” shehad experienced, and which carried “salvation” in its bosomthe other, a glorious dismissal of her in that “peace”which she had already felt, but is now assured she has His fullwarrant to enjoy! This wonderful scene teaches two very weightytruths: (1) Though there be degrees of guilt, insolvency, orinability to wipe out the dishonor done to God, is common to allsinners. (2) As Christ is the Great Creditor to whom all debt,whether great or small, contracted by sinners is owing, so to Himbelongs the prerogative of forgiving it. This latter truth isbrought out in the structure and application of the present parableas it is nowhere else. Either then Jesus was a blaspheming deceiver,or He is God manifest in the flesh.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And they that sat at meat with him,…. Other Pharisees that sat at Simon’s table with Christ, whom he had invited as guests, on this occasion of seeing and conversing with Jesus; or some of Simon’s family, that sat down to eat with him;
began to say within themselves; that is, either thought and reasoned in their own minds, or whispered among themselves:
who is this that forgiveth sins also? who not content to transgress the traditions of the elders, by admitting a sinful woman to touch him, but assumes that to himself which is peculiar to God, to forgive sin: this they said, not as wondering at him, what manner of person he must be, that with such authority pronounced the forgiveness of sin, as Grotius thinks; but rather as offended with him, and filled with indignation against him, and so censuring and reproaching him for wickedness and blasphemy.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Who even forgiveth sins ( ). Present indicative active of same verb, . Once before the Pharisees considered Jesus guilty of blasphemy in claiming the power to forgive sins (Lu 5:21). Jesus read their inmost thoughts as he always does.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
They began. Luke notes the first uprising of the thought.
Within themselves [ ] . Better, among themselves, as Rev., in margin.
Also [] . Much better as Rev., “who even forgiveth sins.”
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And they that sat at meat with him,” (kai hoi sunakeimenoi) “And those who reclined with him,” at the meal, in the home of Simon, the Pharisee, Luk 7:36, others of the Pharisee order of skeptics.
2) “Began to say within themselves,” (erksanto legin e heautois) “Began to say to themselves repeatedly,” 2Co 4:3-4, one to another, with raised eyebrow complaints, much as Simon had questioned our Lord’s accepting the tears, washing, and anointing of Jesus, Luk 7:39.
3) “Who is this that forgiveth sins also?” (tis houtos estin hos kai hamartias aphiesin) “Just who is this who even forgives sins?” Luk 7:48. The answer is, the Son of God, if only they had realized it, only He could forgive sins, Mar 2:5; Mar 2:7; Mat 9:2; Mat 9:5-6.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
49. And those who sat at table with him began to say within themselves. Hence we again learn, that ignorance of Christ’s office constantly leads men to conceive new grounds of offense. The root of the evil is, that no one examines his own wretched condition, which undoubtedly would arouse every man to seek a remedy. There is no reason to wonder that hypocrites, who slumber amidst their vices, (250) should murmur at it as a thing new and unexpected, when Christ forgives sins.
(250) “ Qui se plaisent et fiattent en leurs vices;” — “who please and flatter themselves amidst their vices.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(49) Who is this that forgiveth sins also?Better, Who is this that even forgiveth sins? The thought that underlay the question, though apparently the questioners were different, was the same as that which had found utterance when like words were spoken in the synagogue at Capernaum. (See Luk. 5:21; Mar. 2:6; and Notes on Mat. 9:3.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
49. They that sat at meat A murmur of disapprobation passes around; but Simon is silent. Never was denunciation more terrible than that which is recorded from Jesus’s lips against the sect of which this Pharisee is one, but not such is his discourse towards Simon. He speaks of him as a man forgiven of God. We would believe that Simon is silent, while others condemn, because he has his serious thoughts that he is conversing with a searcher of hearts, who has power to forgive as well as to try.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And those who sat at the meal with him began to say within themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” ’
But those who were there recognised the implication of what He had said. He was guaranteeing that her sins were forgiven. He was taking on Himself a divine prerogative. He was setting Himself up as having special divine authority. And they asked each other with awe, ‘Who is this?’ They do not accuse Him of wrongdoing. They are genuinely interested. Their response to that question could make all the difference in their lives.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Luk 7:49. Who is this, &c.? “Who is this arrogant and presumptuous man, that not only transgresses our rules, by permitting a harlot to touch him, but even presumes to say that he forgiveth sins, which is the peculiar prerogative of God himself?” See Mat 9:3 and ch. Luk 5:21.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Luk 7:49 . ] The beginning , the rising up of this thought, is noteworthy in Luke’s estimation.
. . .] a question of displeasure.
: even .
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
Ver. 49. Who is this that forgiveth sins also? ] Ignorance of Christ and his office bred this offence, as it doth many others. It is easy to stumble in the dark.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
49. ] This appears to have been said, not in an hostile, but a reverential spirit. Perhaps the alludes to the miracles wrought in the presence of John’s messengers.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Luk 7:49 . : again the stupid cavil about usurpation of the power to pardon (Luk 5:21 ).
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
began. Noting the uprising of the thought.
Who is This . . . ? This incident chosen because it sets forth the Lord’s Person as God. The subject of this Second Period of His ministry. See App-119.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
49.] This appears to have been said, not in an hostile, but a reverential spirit. Perhaps the alludes to the miracles wrought in the presence of Johns messengers.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Luk 7:49. , who is this?) Answer: It is the Son of man.-) even. It is a greater exercise of power to forgive sins, as far as the reality is concerned, than to heal miraculously a sick man.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Who: Luk 5:20, Luk 5:21, Mat 9:3, Mar 2:7
Reciprocal: Mat 21:10 – Who
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
9
This is the question raised by the people in Mat 9:1-6.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Luk 7:49. Who is this that even forgiveth sins? Comp. chap. Luk 5:21 and the parallel passages. Such a question was natural, and does not necessarily imply decided hostility.
Thy faith hath saved thee. Not love. Love is to convince others, faith lays hold of grace, and thus love is begotten. It was faith, the hope of a penitent based on the words and the character of Jesus, which brought her to the house of Simon. In this faith her love was born, and as its manifestations began, her faith was ever encouraged by the reception of her acts of love. Growing as she wept and washed His feet, it laid hold more and more fully of the pardon it expected,and received at length the full absolution (Luk 7:48). The closing words were therefore of faith, and of its most blessed result: go in peace, literally, into peace. This was the state of mind to which she might now look forward. Faith first, manifestations of grateful love next, then peace. If we consider well to whom these words were spoken, we will not forget that grace is free, or exalt our love into a ground of pardon. All her tokens of penitence and affection could not, even in the eyes of sinful men, wash away the stain of her life, but the grace of Christ led her to true peace, as her abiding condition.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Luk 7:49-50. And they that sat at meat began to say Not indeed openly, but within themselves, Who is this, &c. They were exceedingly offended at the power which he claimed. But Jesus, contemning all their malicious murmurings, repeated his assurance by telling the woman that her faith had saved her from the punishment of her sins, and bidding her depart in peace, that is, impressed with a strong sense of the love of God, and filled with the satisfaction which naturally arises from that attainment. Macknight. Upon the whole of this story, let us learn from the candour with which Christ accepted this invitation, and the gentleness and prudence with which he behaved at this insnaring entertainment, to mingle the wisdom of the serpent with the innocence and sweetness of the dove; and neither absolutely to refuse all favours, nor severely to resent all neglects, from those whose friendship might at best be very dubious, and their intimacy by no means safe. Above all, let us be careful to avoid that very ill temper which the Pharisees showed, in upbraiding this poor, humble penitent with the scandals of her former life. Where we have reason to believe that sin has been lamented and forsaken, and consequently that God has forgiven it, let us cheerfully receive those whom our holy Master has not rejected; and if the remembrance of former irregularities cannot be entirely lost, let it only engage us to magnify the riches of divine grace toward such persons, and to rejoice with them in the display of it. See Doddridge.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Some of the people present mistakenly assumed that Jesus was forgiving the woman’s sins. This again raised the question of who He was (cf. Luk 7:39; Luk 5:21). Jesus did not answer it nor did Luke. Those present and the readers could and can draw their own conclusion, which should have been and should be obvious by now.