Parable of the Two Debtors

By Peter Paul Rubens — Ermitage, Sankt Petersburg, Public Domain

Simon was having a dinner party, and one of his guests was Jesus. While they were eating, a woman, uninvited, broke in, washed Jesus’ feet with her tears, dried them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with some costly oil. (See Luke 7:36–49, ESV)

Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” (v. 39)

He said nothing, but Jesus, being Jesus, knew his thoughts, and recognized this teachable moment. So He shared a story — a parable — because stories can impact the human heart with a force like no Bible lesson can.

And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” (v. 40)

That should have been Simon’s clue to back it up, but Simon said, “Say on.”

“A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both.” (vv. 41–42a)

The story seemed to have nothing to do with the woman, the oil, or the dinner party. It seemed to have nothing to do with Simon.

And then Jesus asked, “Now which of them will love him more?” (v. 42b)

A simple story and a simple question with a seemingly simple answer.

But there’s nothing simple about Jesus.

Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” (v. 43)

Good for you, Simon. You answered correctly. It seems you understand love. But do you understand why I told this story, at this moment, at this dinner party, in the middle of a very awkward moment?

Did Simon make any connection between the parable Jesus just told and the lady at His feet? Did he see himself in the story, or was he simply listening to the teacher’s riddle?

Did he consider that the moneylender might be God and that he and the woman were the debtors? Was he the one who owed little, and the woman the one who owed much?

If so, what had he just determined?

Something like this? “If she is as much of a sinner as I think she is, and I am as righteous as I think I am, then I love God less than she.”

Ouch.

But Jesus left Simon to come to his own conclusion. He was just sharing a story.

Be it so, Jesus pulled Simon out of his reverie by drawing attention to the woman.

“Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. (vv. 44b-46)

In the culture, washing a guest’s feet and giving them a kiss were not required of the host, but they were accepted customs and signs of humility and love. But what the woman did, especially the woman she was, was highly unusual and even offensive.

Now I, not being Jesus, have no idea what ran through Simon’s mind, but had I been Simon, it may have been one of these, or more likely the two in rapid succession:

“Should I have done more? Did this woman off the street show more respect for my guest than I did?” or then, “No, I did all that was required of me. This woman’s behavior is disgraceful.”

And Jesus went for his heart.

“I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven — for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” (v. 47)

They were way past the point of story now. This was Simon’s invitation to examine himself.

Some questions Simon could have asked:

Which came first? Forgiveness of this woman’s sins, or her extravagant love? Was he the “he”? Did his adherence to the law result in love, or was it out of love that he adhered to the law?

What would Jesus say?

He didn’t. He had simply told a story. Had Simon been listening?

And how about the guests at the party? Had what they just witnessed have any impact on them?

Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” (v. 49)

It appears not. They were just listening in on a conversation.

So. A question for you.

As you were reading, were you asking, “Had I been at the dinner party, who would I have been?”

Simon, who did all that was required of him?

The woman, who went beyond what was socially acceptable because of her love for Jesus?

Or someone just listening to a story?