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Luke 7:36-50

Chapter 7

36
One of the Pharisees invited Jesus to share his meal, so he went to the Pharisee’s house and, as usual, reclined at the table to eat.
37
And it happened that a woman from this town, known as a sinner, heard that he was at the Pharisee’s house. She brought an alabaster jar of perfume
38
and stood behind him, at his feet, weeping. She wet his feet with her tears, dried them with her hair, kissed his feet, and poured the perfume on them.
39

The Pharisee who had invited Jesus was watching and thought, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of person is touching him; isn’t this woman a sinner?”

40

Then Jesus spoke to the Pharisee and said:

“Simon, I have something to ask you.”

He answered:

“Speak, master.”

And Jesus said:

41
 “Two people owed money to the same creditor. One owed him five hundred silver coins, and the other fifty.
42

Because they could not pay him back, he graciously canceled the debts of both. Now, which of them will love him more?”

43

Simon answered:

“The one, I suppose, who was forgiven more.”

And Jesus said:

“You are right.”

44

And turning toward the woman, he said to Simon:

“Do you see this woman?
45
You gave me no water for my feet when I entered your house, but she has washed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. You didn’t welcome me with a kiss, but she has not stopped kissing my feet since she came in.
46
You provided no oil for my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet.
47

This is why I tell you, her sins, her many sins, are forgiven, as her great love has shown. But the one who is forgiven little has little love.”

48

Then Jesus said to the woman:

“Your sins are forgiven.”

49

The others reclining with him at the table started to wonder:

“Now this man claims to forgive sins!”

50

 But Jesus again spoke to the woman:

“Your faith has saved you; go in peace!”

Commentaries

7:36 - 7:50

Forgives the Sinner.

The scene of the woman approaching Jesus while he is sharing a meal at a Pharisee’s home is the perfect setting for Jesus to highlight the vast gap between legalism and openness to the newness of the kingdom. Jesus conveys an important lesson: neither the strictest observance of the Law, nor sacrifices, nor the distance in which the pious Pharisees live, nor feeling good about oneself, move God; only love and the genuine acknowledgment of being a sinner attract God’s mercy and forgiveness.

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