LUKE 7:36-50 WITH COMMENTS

The Pharisees were constantly trying to trap Jesus so that they could discredit Him, and thereby justify rejecting Him. Ultimately, their goal was to remove Him as a threat to their lucrative hold on the people. They rejected "the counsel of God against themselves" by refusing John's baptism (Lk. 7:29-35), a point exposed by the Lord's question to the religious leaders later on (Lk. 20:1-8). The following event, unique to Luke's Gospel, takes place immediately after He had rebuked the Pharisees for rejecting John, and for calling Him a glutton and a drunk (v. 34)! It is not the same event that occurred the week of the Crucifixion, as that was at the home of Lazarus (Matt. 26:6-31; Mk. 14:3-9; Jn. 12:1-8).

"And one of the Pharisees desired Him that He would eat with him. And He went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat (better: reclined to eat). And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner (her sin is not stated, but most believe she was a prostitute), when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping, and began to wash His feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed His feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee which had bidden Him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if He were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth Him: for she is a sinner (Jesus not only knew what sort of woman she was, but He also knew the thoughts of the Pharisee). And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master (Greek: διδάσκαλος meaning "teacher"), say on. There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell Me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And He said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. And He turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest Me no water for My feet: but she hath washed My feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest Me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss My feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed My feet with ointment (the three signs of respect, the washing of a guest's feet - Gen. 18:4; a greeting with a kiss - Gen. 29:13; and the anointing with oil - Ex. 30:31-33). Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And He said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. And they that sat at meat with Him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? And He said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace" (Lk. 7:36-50). Her sins were forgiven because she had faith in Jesus (Lk. 5:20; Jn. 3:16-18; Acts 10:43; 26:18; Rom. 6:23; etc.).

His great love for me, humbles me; believing He loves me saves me!