Luke 7:40

Luke 7:40

ESV: And Jesus answering said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he answered, "Say it, Teacher."

KJV: And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.

NIV: Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." "Tell me, teacher," he said.

NKJV: And Jesus answered and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." So he said, "Teacher, say it."

NLT: Then Jesus answered his thoughts. "Simon," he said to the Pharisee, "I have something to say to you." "Go ahead, Teacher," Simon replied.

Meaning

Luke 7:40 signifies a pivotal moment where Jesus directly addresses Simon, the Pharisee, not to respond to a verbal query, but to confront Simon's unspoken thoughts and internal judgment regarding the sinful woman. It serves as an introductory phrase, preparing Simon for a lesson in forgiveness, love, and spiritual insight that will challenge his self-righteous perceptions and reveal Jesus' divine knowledge and authority.

Cross References

Context

Luke 7:40 is situated within a narrative illustrating Jesus' divine insight and His revolutionary approach to sinners compared to the rigid legalism of the Pharisees. The preceding verses (Lk 7:36-39) describe a dinner at Simon the Pharisee's house where a "sinful woman" demonstrates extravagant devotion to Jesus, anointing His feet with tears, hair, and costly perfume. Simon silently judges Jesus for allowing such a woman to touch Him, assuming that if Jesus were truly a prophet, He would know her sinful identity and would not permit it. Verse 40 marks Jesus' direct, albeit unspoken, response to Simon's internal thought, showcasing Jesus' omniscience and setting the stage for the parable of the two debtors and its profound spiritual lesson (Lk 7:41-47), where Jesus contrasts the Pharisee's perceived righteousness with the woman's deeply felt gratitude born of profound forgiveness. The larger context of Luke 7 highlights Jesus' power (healing, raising from dead), His authority, and His unique identity as confirmed by John the Baptist and His own works, setting Him apart from human expectations.

Word analysis

• And: (Greek: καὶ - kai) Connects to the previous thought, indicating a continuation of the narrative, transitioning from Simon's internal thought to Jesus' active response.
• Jesus: (Greek: Ἰησοῦς - Iesous) The Son of God, demonstrating His divine knowledge and authority. His very presence highlights the spiritual tension between His mission and the Pharisaic mindset.
• answering: (Greek: ἀποκριθεὶς - apokritheis, aorist passive participle of ἀποκρίνω - apokrinō) This term signifies more than a mere reply; it often indicates a solemn declaration or a pronouncement. Here, Jesus is "answering" Simon's unspoken thought (Lk 7:39), which reveals Jesus' omniscience—He knew what Simon was thinking. This directly counters Simon's doubt about Jesus being a prophet who would know about the woman.
• said: (Greek: εἶπεν - eipen, aorist active indicative of λέγω - legō) Simple declarative action, but weighted by the preceding "answering" an unspoken thought.
• to him, "Simon,: (Greek: αὐτῷ, Σίμων - autō, Simōn) A direct, personal address to his host. Using Simon's name underscores the directness and the personal nature of the impending lesson, indicating that the message is specifically for him.
• I have something: (Greek: ἔχω τι - echō ti, literally "I have something") This is a humble and polite, yet subtly potent, opening. Jesus doesn't accuse or preach immediately; He gently invites Simon's attention. The "something" (τι - ti) indicates that what follows is important, worthy of his attention, and specifically pertains to Simon.
• to say to you": (Greek: εἰπεῖν σοι - eipein soi) Further emphasizes the personal and direct nature of the communication. It highlights Jesus' initiative in teaching and clarifying. He has a message for Simon, not just a general teaching.

Commentary

Luke 7:40 is a masterstroke of divine communication, demonstrating Jesus' unparalleled insight. Instead of directly confronting Simon's judgmental internal monologue, Jesus initiates a teaching moment with deceptive mildness, "Simon, I have something to say to you." This politeness belies the depth of spiritual confrontation about to unfold. Jesus’ “answering” an unvoiced thought is critical, proving His prophetic (indeed, divine) nature, directly addressing Simon’s silent doubt. The phrase acts as a conversational bridge, pulling Simon into an uncomfortable but necessary dialogue about true righteousness, sin, forgiveness, and the resultant love. It sets the stage for the parable of the two debtors, where Simon will be challenged to confront his own spiritual bankruptcy in comparison to the woman's humble devotion, leading to a profound revelation about the extent of one's love being directly proportional to the magnitude of forgiveness received.

Bonus section

• The divine knowledge displayed by Jesus in responding to an unspoken thought is a hallmark of His deity. This characteristic is often highlighted throughout the Gospels and is a polemic against any notion that Jesus was merely a human prophet lacking ultimate understanding of the human heart.
• This verse subtly highlights a contrast in understanding "prophet" during Jesus' time. Simon implies that a true prophet would know external facts about a person's sinful past. Jesus, however, demonstrates knowledge of internal thoughts, proving a deeper, more divine prophetic capacity, dealing with matters of the heart and not just outward deeds.
• Jesus' approach—gentle invitation followed by probing truth—is a model for spiritual conversation, engaging the individual where they are while guiding them toward profound truth, even if it challenges deeply held (and mistaken) beliefs.

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