Knowing The Word in Luke 7:39-50

A Sinful Woman Forgiven

7:39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” 40 And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”

41 “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Comments

Today’s lesson is a contrast between two followers of Jesus: Simon and the sinful woman. While Simon does not come off looking great, that does not mean he is not a follower of Jesus. Sometimes followers of Jesus simply get things wrongs when they acquire a “holier than thou attitude,” so Jesus takes the opportunity for a corrective lesson.

Matthew and Mark name the host as “Simon the leper.” Although there is no direct evidence, we could speculate that Simon was healed of leprosy by Jesus. Perhaps he opened up his home to thank Jesus. However, Jesus heard his inner thoughts. Simon was having a disapproving conversation with himself regarding the woman. Jesus planned to expose him publicly as an example for others to see and to get Simon back in line with the message of the gospel. He did so in the form of a parable on forgiveness of debts. A denarius was the pay for a day’s labor. The hearers had to answer, “Would you prefer to get 500 days of labor forgiven or 50, and which of the two men would love the moneylender more?” Simon grudgingly answered that the one who had the 500 forgiven.

Simon’s problem was that he had seen the prostitute not for whom she truly was but through judgmental eyes. Jesus pushed the point further, exposing Simon’s lack of hospitality. He had not washed Jesus’ feet as he came off the street as he should have for an honored guest. He had not even anointed his head as was the custom with inexpensive olive oil, yet the woman had anointed him with very expensive ointment. Simon had taken Jesus for granted.

As the occasion comes to an end, Jesus did not gloss over the woman’s sins, which he calls many—likely in comparison to Simon’s fewer sins. However, her conspicuous and unabashed love toward Jesus was proof of her forgiveness. Simon had shown little love toward Jesus, suggesting he has been forgiven little in comparison. Because forgiveness of sins is a divine prerogative, the people question who Jesus was. He responded by speaking directly to the woman about her saving faith. Faith is the means of receiving God’s gift of the forgiveness of our sins and the going forth to live a new life in peace with God.

Application

When do we look at people judgmentally? What kind of people do we tend to be judgmental about? Now go back to these questions and change “we” to “you.” Could Luke have recorded this story for you?

Prayer

Jesus, the great forgiver, I acknowledge the costliness of my forgiveness and my inability to always be gracious in forgiving others and not judging them. Assist me through your Spirit to forgive, love, and cherish others.