*Luke 7:36-8:3
Jesus forgives a sinful woman’s sins based on her demonstration of love, while contrasting her actions with those of a critical Pharisee.
- The Woman with the Alabaster Jar:
- A woman, identified as a “sinner,” enters the house and approaches Jesus while he is reclining at the table.
- She brings an alabaster jar of expensive perfume and begins to weep, wetting Jesus’ feet with her tears.
- She then wipes his feet with her hair, kisses them, and anoints them with the perfume.
- The Pharisee’s Reaction:
- The Pharisee hosting the meal is surprised and critical of Jesus, thinking to himself that if Jesus were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him.
- Jesus’ Response:
- Jesus, perceiving the Pharisee’s thoughts, tells him a parable about forgiveness and love.
- He contrasts the woman’s actions of love and gratitude with the Pharisee’s lack of hospitality.
- Forgiveness and Faith:
- Jesus forgives the woman’s sins and commends her for her great love and faith.
- He declares that her sins are forgiven, which prompts murmurs of disapproval from some of the other guests.
- Following Jesus:
- Jesus continues his ministry, traveling from town to town, accompanied by his disciples and some women who had been healed of evil spirits and diseases.
- Among these women are Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and many others who provided for Jesus and his disciples out of their own resources.
7:36 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.
7:37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 7:38 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.
7:39 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.
7:40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
7:41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
7:42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? 7:43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most.
And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
7:44 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.
7:45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
7:46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
7:47 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.
7:48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
7:49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? 7:50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
8:1 And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, 8:2 And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, 8:3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.