Luke 7:49

49 At this, those eating with him began saying among themselves, "Who is this fellow that presumes to forgive sins?"

Luke 7:49 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 7:49

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.

Luke 7:49 In-Context

47 Because of this, I tell you that her sins -- which are many! -- have been forgiven, because she loved much. But someone who has been forgiven only a little loves only a little."

48 Then he said to her, "Your sins have been forgiven."

49 At this, those eating with him began saying among themselves, "Who is this fellow that presumes to forgive sins?"

50 But he said to the woman, "Your trust has saved you; go in peace."