The answer is: 50

Luke 7:41

In the parable of the debtors found in Luke 7:41, we witness a stunning lesson wrapped up in a short story. One debtor owes a whopping 500 denarii, while the other is heavier in the pocket with a much lighter debt of only 50. Now, a denarius was typically the wages for a day’s labor, which gives us a glimpse into the proportions at play—one debtor is proportional to a staggering one-and-a-half years of labor versus nearly two months in the other case.

This disparity isn’t just a financial comparison; it illustrates fundamental themes about forgiveness and gratitude. Imagine the debtor of 500 denarii realized just how much he was forgiven. It’s a big deal! Often, those who are forgiven more find it easier to extend that grace to others—much like forgiveness in our daily lives: when we’ve received it in abundance, we’re often more inclined to share it.

Another fascinating element aligns this parable with broader biblical themes. Three major debts appear in the scripture that symbolize our lives. Just as these two debtors represent enormous differences in acknowledgment of grace, so do we all carry our debts. But hey, forgiveness is what balances the scales. Interestingly, on a historical note, in the culturally rich backdrop of first-century Judea, money lending and debt were massive themes. The prevailing issues related to debts are echoed even today, borrowing lessons from ancient stories—reminding us to extend grace as we've received it, be it in a startling forgiveness over a whistleblower or a mundane apology. It’s a beautiful cycle of divine grace!