Luke 7:49 Meaning: Who Is This Who Forgives Sins?
Those who sat at the table with him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that even forgiveth sins?
and those reclining with him (at meat) began to say within themselves, `Who is this, who also doth forgive sins?'
And they that were with [them] at table began to say within themselves, Who is this who forgives also sins?
Meaning in one sentence
In Luke 7:49, the dinner guests ask who Jesus is to forgive sins. Discover the weight of His claim and what it means for you today.
Context
Jesus is eating at the home of Simon, a Pharisee. A woman known in the city as a sinner enters, weeps at His feet, and anoints them with perfume. Simon silently questions whether Jesus is truly a prophet, since He lets such a woman touch Him. In response, Jesus tells a short parable about two debtors, then turns to the woman and says plainly, "Your sins are forgiven." That is when the other guests start whispering. Their question, who is this who even forgives sins?, lands like a stone in still water. They understand that only God can forgive sins. So either Jesus is speaking for God in a way no one has before, or He is saying something about Himself that leaves them stunned.
Key Words
The word translated "forgives" comes from the Greek aphiēmi. It means to send away, to release, to let go. When Jesus forgives, He does not just cover sin or ignore it. He dismisses it. The debt is cancelled, the chain is cut. The same word is used for a husband releasing his wife or a prisoner being set free. That is the kind of release Jesus speaks over the woman.
The word for "sins" is hamartia, which originally meant missing the mark, like an archer whose arrow falls short. Everyone misses the target of God's holiness. But here Jesus announces that the miss does not have the last word.
The phrase "within themselves" translates en heautois. Vincent notes it is better read as "among themselves." This was not just silent doubt. They were murmuring to each other, a shared shock that had not yet become open protest. Their question hung in the air, and Jesus did not answer it directly. He simply confirmed the woman's peace.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians have seen this question as carrying two possible tones. Gill, a Baptist writer, says the guests were offended, "filled with indignation" at what they saw as blasphemy. They knew Scripture: only God forgives sin (Psalm 103:12, Isaiah 43:25). Barnes notes their question was "very pertinent" and points to the logical answer: "Who could he be but God?" Calvin adds that ignorance of Christ's office leads people to stumble. The Cambridge Bible describes a "shock of surprised silence" that had not yet dared to become open murmurs. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown puts the choice plainly: either Jesus was a blaspheming deceiver, or He is God manifest in the flesh.
A common misunderstanding
Living This Out
You might have a moment this week when guilt whispers that some things cannot be undone. Or maybe you wonder if God's forgiveness really covers your mess. That is the same moment the guests faced. They had to decide what to do with a Man who spoke with God's own authority.
Jesus does not answer their question with a lecture. He simply looks at the woman and says, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace." That is His answer to you too. He is the One who can release you because He is the One who holds the keys. This week, when the question of His identity rises in your heart, let it not be a barrier but an invitation. He is still forgiving. He is still saying, Go in peace.
Main takeaway: The question "Who is this who forgives sins?" presses us to see Jesus as the One who holds the authority of God and offers complete release.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Jesus said the woman's sins were forgiven. Some people at the table were surprised. They knew only God can forgive sins. That means Jesus is very special, more than just a teacher.
For ages 9, 12
The people eating with Jesus asked a question they already knew the answer to: who can forgive sins but God alone? They were shocked because Jesus was acting like God. This is one of the clearest hints in the Gospels that Jesus is not just a prophet. He is the One who has the power to wipe away everything wrong you have done. When you feel guilty, you can go straight to Him.
Questions People Ask
Why did the guests ask "Who is this who even forgives sins?"
They knew from their Scriptures that only God can forgive sins (Isaiah 43:25). When Jesus said "Your sins are forgiven," He was claiming a divine prerogative. Their question was a mixture of shock, offense, and confusion. They were wrestling with whether this man was speaking for God or claiming to be God.
Is Jesus claiming to be God here?
Yes, in a direct way. By forgiving sins without offering a sacrifice or mediating through the temple system, Jesus acts as if He has the authority that belongs to God alone. The guests recognized this. This moment, along with other passages like Matthew 9:3 and Mark 2:7, points to early recognition that Jesus was claiming divine identity, which led some to accuse Him of blasphemy and others to believe.
What does the Greek word for "forgive" mean here?
The word is aphiēmi, which means to send away, release, or let go. It carries the image of cancelling a debt or setting a prisoner free. Jesus does not simply pretend sin does not matter. He actively removes it. That is why the guests were so stunned, He spoke as if He had the power to wipe the slate clean completely.
How is this different from the similar question in Luke 5:21?
In Luke 5, the scribes and Pharisees ask the question after Jesus tells a paralyzed man his sins are forgiven. That scene happens early in Jesus' ministry and draws opposition from religious leaders. Here in Luke 7, the setting is a dinner party, and the question comes from fellow guests, not just officials. It shows that the same challenge followed Jesus everywhere, and that His claim never softened.
For pastors & researchers
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