“A Sinful Woman Forgiven

Luke 7:36   One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. ³⁷ And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, ³⁸ and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. 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.”

Luke 7:41   “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.” (English Standard Version)

During Jesus’ time—as well as both before and after Jesus’ time—banquets were often occasions for moral instruction. There is most certainly moral instruction in this story about a Pharisee who invited Jesus to dinner and a sinful woman who invited herself! Yes. Moral instruction and then some.

But first, some background information might be helpful. In those days, people reclined on benches around low tables to eat. Thus, one diner’s feet were near neighbors to someone else’s olfactory organs. Streets were not paved or kept clean during ancient times. Thus, washing a guests feet before they reclined to eat was very important. However, Jesus’ host had not seen to this important detail.

Another interesting factoid to consider is this: Even uninvited guests could come and stand around the courtyard wall to listen to a teacher’s instruction. They were supposed to be quiet and not make a scene.

Now I can’t prove what I am about to say, but here are some thoughts that may be more imaginative than convincing. They are reasonable suspicions, nothing more. I will phrase them mostly using a question format.

Had the woman had contact with Jesus before this? Had she poured out her sinful lifestyle to him? Had Jesus already assured her that God still loved and accepted her? Or had she just heard that Jesus was a friend to sinners. (He certainly had that reputation.)

Did she notice that Jesus’ feet were dirty and decide to do something about that? Did she mean to start crying, or did her tears blindside her? Did she undo her hair and use it as towel because she simply didn’t have a towel with her? Did she bring the perfume with her for the express purpose of anointing Jesus’ feet, or was that a spontaneous response to the One she loved?

There is so much we don’t know about this woman and her action. We do know this much: Jesus treated her with kindness, respect, and appreciation. Indeed, Jesus pronounced her forgiven. I suspect that Jesus longs to treat us all in the same manner.