A Pharisee invited him to dine with him, and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. 37 Now there was a sinful woman in the city who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee. Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment, 38 she stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.” 40 Jesus said to him in reply, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. 41 “Two people were in debt to a certain creditor; one owed five hundred days’ wages and the other owed fifty. 42 Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both. Which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon said in reply, “The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.” He said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 44 Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet, but she has bathed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with ointment. 47 So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” 48 He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 The others at table said to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50 But he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
In this passage, Jesus is invited into the home of Simon, a Pharisee. He enters and reclines at the table, leaning on his side in the customary posture of formal meals. This posture reflected honor, leisure, and social intimacy, and it meant that his feet were extended toward the floor, exposed to those around him. While he reclines, a woman in the city, known for her sinful life, learns he is in Simon’s house. She comes with an alabaster flask of ointment, a costly and precious gift, and approaches Jesus in humble devotion.
The woman begins to wash Jesus’ feet with her tears. She dries them with her hair, kisses them repeatedly, and anoints them with the ointment. In that culture, washing someone’s feet was an act of service and humility. Using her tears, her hair, and a valuable ointment, she expresses deep sorrow for her sins and profound love and gratitude for Jesus.
Simon the Pharisee notices her actions and judges incorrectly. He doubts Jesus’ prophetic insight, thinking that anyone who truly knew the woman’s sinful reputation would not allow her to touch him, because he assumes that holiness must avoid contact with sinners and that intimacy or honor should be reserved for the righteous.
Jesus responds with a story to teach about forgiveness and love. He tells of two people who owe debts to a creditor—one owes five hundred days’ wages, the other fifty. Both debts are forgiven. Jesus asks Simon which debtor will love the creditor more. Simon correctly answers that the one forgiven the larger debt will love more.
Jesus then points out the contrast in behavior. Simon failed to offer the common courtesies of hospitality: he did not provide water for Jesus’ feet, give a greeting kiss, or anoint his head with oil. These were customary signs of respect for a guest. The woman, by contrast, lavishes attention on Jesus. Her actions demonstrate sincere repentance, humility, and love, showing a heart open to God’s mercy. Then Jesus directly tells her, “Your sins are forgiven” (v. 48). In the Jewish understanding of the time, this would have been seen as blasphemous, because only God can forgive sins, and blasphemy was considered a capital offense under the Law of Moses (Lev. 24:16). This explains why the religious leaders were so shocked and why such claims would increase their desire to put Jesus to death. Jesus affirms that her faith has saved her and sends her away in peace.
This story highlights that forgiveness is not earned by external observance, social status, or human judgment. It is received through faith, repentance, and humility. Love grows in a heart that knows it has been forgiven. The woman’s humility and devotion contrast sharply with Simon’s self-righteousness, illustrating the power of mercy to transform a soul.
We learn that the depth of love we can show is connected to the mercy we understand that we have received. God’s forgiveness awakens faith, gratitude, and love. Where pride or judgment dominates, hearts remain hard. Where mercy is received, hearts are open, transformed, and freed. This passage calls all who hear it to examine their hearts and respond to God’s mercy with trust, devotion, and love.
Lord Jesus, help us to recognize the mercy you offer, to receive your forgiveness with humble hearts, and to love you with the depth that transforms our lives. May we, like the woman in this story, approach you with faith, gratitude, and devotion, and may our lives reflect the love that comes from being truly forgiven. Amen.
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Sources and References:
- The Holy Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition (2011).
- A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture, ed. Bernard Orchard et al. (1953).
- The Paulist Biblical Commentary, ed. José Enrique Aguilar Chiu et al. (2018).
- The Navarre Bible: Luke, Faculty of the University of Navarre (2008).
- New Jerome Biblical Commentary, ed. Raymond E. Brown et al. (1990).
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