#47 - Jesus, The Woman, and Simon the Pharisee - Luke 7:36-50

Background (Relationship)

The passage preceding this one (chronologically Matthew 11 and Luke 7), is the key to unlocking this passage.

In these passages, Jesus condemns the self-righteous people and cities that rejected Him.

However, He expresses gratitude to God for revealing His Son to infants. He then declares, "Come to me, all of you who are weary, and I will give you rest!"

This statement beautifully sets up the current chapter. The woman, tired and weary, comes to Jesus seeking rest, while the self-righteous man fails to show Jesus the respect He deserves.

As a side note… The following passage in chronological order (Luke 8) discusses a group of women who provided for Jesus. This also appears to connect with the story of the woman seeking Jesus.

The Connection Between This Event and the Book of Luke

This story is only found in the book of Luke. Luke, most likely a gentile, focuses on Jesus' offer of salvation to the entire world with an emphasis on the outcast being brought into the Kingdom. This woman is truly an outcast, whose name is not even given and is simply known as a sinner. This is just one of many examples in which Jesus is seen as the Savior of all nations (Luke 2:10-11)."Top of FormBottom of Form

The Text: Luke 7:36-50

36 Then one of the Pharisees invited him to eat with him. He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table.

• We will see that his name is Simon the Pharisees. We do not know much about Simon the Pharisee.

o However, Jesus will point out near the end of the passage how Simon did not show Him the basic respect that honored guest were given.

o This implies that Simon’s motives may have been questionable since he did not honor Jesus with basic courtesies.

• Notice that they reclined.

o At Jewish meals they would recline on the floor (usually on a carpet or pillow.) They would rest their head on their left hand while eating with their right. There legs would generally be bent making a L shape.

37 And a woman in the town who was a sinner found out that Jesus was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house. She brought an alabaster jar of perfume

• This woman is not viewed as a good woman in the sense that she is simply identified as a sinner.

o No other name is given for her. It is very possible that she was a former prostitute before she heard Jesus words and was transformed.

o How would you like to be known simply as “sinner”? This says a lot about her character before she is saved.

• However, it is possible that this sinner just heard Jesus say to a crowd:

o Matthew 11:28-29: 28“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

• How did this women have access to Simon the Pharisees house? How did she get into the dinner party?

o Leon Morris says:

o A meal such as the one that Jesus was attending was not private. People could come in and watch what went on. At the same time a prostitute would not have been very welcome in Simon’s house, so it took courage to come[1]

• This woman was carrying a alabaster jar. Just to give you a visual of this jar.

o The flask was of alabaster, a carbonate of lime or sulphate of lime, white or yellow stone, named alabaster from the town in Egypt where it was chiefly found. It was used for a phial employed for precious ointments in ancient writers, inscriptions and papyri just as we speak of a glass for the vessel made of glass. It had a cylindrical form at the top, as a rule, like a closed rosebud (Pliny). [2]

38 and stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to wash his feet with her tears. She wiped his feet with her hair, kissing them and anointing them with the perfume.

• So you can picture this.

o This woman along with others come into Simon’s house to hear Jesus talk.

o She bravely steps out from among the onlookers and approaches Jesus. However, she breaks out in tears and they fall on His feet.

• Why was she crying? Perhaps it was out of joy because she had given her burden to Christ and was overcome by emotion being in His presence.

o It is very possible that she was going to anoint His head, but broke out in tears, which fell on His feet. She could have been embarrassed that her tears fell on Him that out of reflex she went to dry them with her hair.

o or out of reverence she was planning on anointing His feet - we simply do not know.

• Whatever her original plan might have been, she finds herself at the feet of Creator.

• She anoints His feet with this perfume and worships Him.

• Take note of her worship which Jesus accepts!

1. She approaches Jesus with faith

2. Displays humility

3. Engages in worship

4. Presents Him with her gift (perfume.)

We are about to the contrast between the proud and self-righteous Simon, and the humble and righteous sinner.

39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “This man, if he were a prophet, would know who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him—she’s a sinner!”

• Wiersbe wrote,

o “Simon’s real problem was blindness: he could not see himself, the woman, or the Lord Jesus. It was easy for him to say, “She is a sinner!” but impossible for him to say, “I am also a sinner!” (see Luke 18:9–14) Jesus proved that He was indeed a prophet by reading Simon’s thoughts and revealing his needs.”[3]

• Question: Are you like Simon with a self-righteous attitude that wrongfully look down on others?

40 Jesus replied to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” He said, “Say it, teacher.”

• Jesus, the prophet who knows the inner thoughts of all individuals, reads Simon's mind and perceives his self-righteousness.

o Jesus, understanding Simon, utilizes the parable as a teaching tool.

o Deciding to illustrate why the woman is expressing worship to her Lord, Jesus employs a parable, a logical choice for a Jewish rabbi aiming to make a point to a Pharisee.

41 “A creditor had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.

• The denarius was an official Roman coin valued at about a day's labor

o A typical day’s work was from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm.

• Therefore, one man owed a debt exceeding a year's worth of salary, while the other owed just under two months of salary.

42 Since they could not pay it back, he graciously forgave them both. So, which of them will love him more?”

• Jesus’ parable is simple but powerful, it forces Simon to acknowledge the correct answer.

43 Simon answered, “I suppose the one he forgave more.” “You have judged correctly,” he told him.

• Jesus will use Simon’s answer to prove His point of why this woman is right for showing Jesus respect and worship.

Jesus is going to show Simon that this sinful has shown her Lord more respect than the self-righteous Pharisee. Let’s read verses 44-46 then look at the meaning behind these customs that help unlock the meaning of this passage.

44 Turning to 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, with her tears, has washed my feet and wiped them with her hair.

45 You gave me no kiss, but she hasn’t stopped kissing my feet since I came in.

46 You didn’t anoint my head with olive oil, but she has anointed my feet with perfume.

• Jesus calls out Simon the Pharisee and praises the woman over three Jewish customs for showing respect. Understanding these customs helps us to comprehend this passage more clearly.

o First, we will explore how a host typically demonstrates respect for a respected Rabbi.

o Second, we will analyze Simon's actions that lack proper respect for Jesus.

o Third, we will examine the actions of the woman and why her conduct is praiseworthy.

Typical Hospitality

• Water for washing

o Due to the hot and dusty roads frequented by animals in Israel, a hospitable host would ensure the provision of water or have a servant ready with water to wash the feet of a guest. This would bring comfort to the guest and was a sign of respect

• Greeting with a kiss

o Many cultures today great each other with a kiss on the cheek as a symbol of friendship. This was the custom in Israel. To not great a friend with a kiss was a sign of disrespect.

• Anointing with oil

o Although not as common as a kiss or washing, there was an honorable gesture of putting olive oil (which was common and not expensive, but symbolic of blessing) on the head of a special guest.

Simon’s lack of respect:

• Now let’s look at Simon the self-righteous Pharisee and how he disrespected Jesus.

o Water for washing

§ Jesus says that Simon was so rude that he did not give Him any water to wash His feet. In other words, Simon was not showing Jesus respect.

o Imagine that you are hosting a pottery party where you and your guests attempt to make pottery out of clay.

o After completing the pottery, you invite your guests to sit down at the table for a meal.

o You wash your hands, yet you do not offer your guests any water, towels, or the opportunity to use the bathroom to wash up.

o In this scenario, your guests are sitting at the table with filthy hands, feeling disrespected due to the lack of hospitality and consideration.

This is how rude Simon was to Jesus - so Jesus is calling Him out on it

• Greeting with a kiss.

o Simon did not great Jesus with a kiss which means he did not view Jesus as a friend

• Anointing with oil

o Simon who did not show basic respect to Jesus did not bother to put oil on the Lord’s head. This man in his self-righteousness did not show great honor to the one who would forgive his sin.

The woman’s righteous worship:

• Now let’s look at the sinner who worshiped Jesus rightly!

o Water for washing

§ Unlike Simon, the woman humbly washed Jesus’ feet with her own tears. Not only that, but she dried it with her hair.

§ She humbled herself and showed Jesus respect – she showed Him worship!

• Greeting with a kiss.

o Unlike Simon who did not even bother to kiss Jesus on the cheek as a friendly greeting – this woman humbly worshiped her Lord and Savior by kissing His feet. The greatest form of worship is to lower ourselves and magnify God!

• Anointing with oil

o Once again, Simon did not bother to anoint Jesus with basic olive oil, whereas this woman anointed Jesus with perfume which cost much more than olive oil!

o These are the actions of a woman who understood her great debt which Jesus had taken away and forgiven!

47 Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; that’s why she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little.”

• Jesus understood that this woman once had many sins, but they were all forgiven!

• Just like the parable, Jesus explains that people who are forgiven much love much!

• The problem is that many people view themselves as Simon and are self-righteous and do not see that they need much forgiveness. Therefore they do not love greatly!

48 Then he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

• Only God Himself has the power to forgive sins, therefore this is a sign of Jesus’ deity. Think of Matt. 9:6 and Luke 5:21.

49 Those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?”

• It appears that the other people at the table were upset that Jesus claimed to forgive sin!

• This implies that Simon and his friends were opposed to Jesus and His ministry.

o This would explain why Simon had been such a bad host.

50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

• What saved her? It was her faith in Jesus.

o Her salvation came through faith in Jesus' words.

o After being saved, she worshiped Him.

o The woman's good deeds were simply the outcome of her saving faith.

• Why could she go in peace?

o Her troubled soul could have peace because she placed her faith in Jesus and was forgiven!

Employment Points

1. By faith, humbly seek Jesus to worship Him

• It appears that the woman had a previous knowledge of Jesus and had already put her faith in Him.

• Because of her faith, she humbly sought to worship Him.

Question I need to ask myself…

• Do I humbly seek Jesus? Do I seek His will in my devotions and though prayers?

• Also, how do I approach Him? As “a” righteous Simon or as a poor in spirit sinner?

Thoughts

• In this story, do I find myself aligning more with the self-righteous Simon or the humble woman?

2. Discover genuine righteousness by embracing humility and willingly sacrificing for Jesus.

• This woman humbly poor her perfume on Jesus’ feet.

• This act of worship was costly, and she gave something that could not be given back to her!

Question I need to ask myself…

• How have I sacrificed to worship Jesus?

• How do I sacrifice [the key word is sacrifice: to give up for the sake of a better cause] my time and money for the Lord?

Thoughts

• Have I embraced a humble heart before the Lord? Do I willingly give or am a greedy and like Simon not show Jesus the worship He deserves?

3. Seekers find salvation and rest as Jesus responds to their humble faith.

• This woman found peace because Jesus had forgiven her sin!

Question I need to ask myself…

• Do I know peace and rest since I have placed my faith in Jesus?

• Do I understand that once I have placed my faith in Jesus He responds by saving my soul?

Thoughts

• How often do I take time to thank God for sending Jesus to save my sinful soul?

[1]Morris, L. (1988). Luke: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 3, p. 166). InterVarsity Press. [2]Robertson, A. T. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (Mt 26:7). Broadman Press. [3]Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 198). Victor Books.