Luke 7:36-50

Christ anointed at the house of Simon the Pharisee (peculiar to Lk). Placed here as an illustration of how 'Wisdom' (i.e. the Gospel) is justified by the changed life of one of 'her children' (this sinful woman). 'We are still in that epoch of transition when the rupture between our Lord and the Pharisees, although already far advanced, was not yet complete. A Pharisee could still invite Him without difficulty. It has been supposed that this invitation was given with a hostile intention. But this Pharisee's own reflection, Luke 7:39, shows his moral state. He was hesitating between the holy impression which Jesus made upon him, and the antipathy which his caste felt against Him' (Godet). The woman at the time of the incident was no longer a 'sinner'; she had been converted by Jesus, but the Pharisee did not know this.

This anointing is probably quite distinct from that at Bethany (Matthew 26:6; John 12:2), and the woman is not to be identified either with Mary Magdalene, or with Mary of Bethany, who were clearly women of good position and character (see on Matthew 26:6; John 12:2).