Luke 7:36-48

Luke 7:36. And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.

They sat according to the Eastern custom of sitting, which was rather lying at length, with the feet far out upon the couch or sofa.

Luke 7:37. And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner,

In a particular sense, a sinner; one whose very trade was sin.

Luke 7:37. When she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment And stood at his feet behind him weeping.

As she could do, you see, without coming into the room, except for a few yards, especially if the Saviour's feet were close against the door.

Luke 7:38. And began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

For water she gives her tears, for a towel, her hair; to heal the blisters of his weary pilgrimage, there are her soft lips for liniment; and then for ointment comes this precious salve.

Luke 7:39. Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him; for she is a sinner.

She is a sinner, and does he let her touch him, and kiss his feet, and show such tokens of affection? What man must he be who allows a harlot's kiss, even though it be upon his feet? Ah! poor foolish Pharisee! He judged according to the sight of the eye, or else he might have known that the best of men would never be angry at a harlot's tears, for the tears of repentance, come from whatever heart they may, are always like diamonds in the esteem of thee who judges rightly.

Luke 7:40. And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay,

And were, therefore, likely to be cast into prison, and to be sold as slaves.

Luke 7:42. He frankly forgave them both. Tell me, therefore, which of them will love him most. Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

There were no bonds, no promises of what they would do in the future, but he frankly forgave them both.

Luke 7:44. And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house,

And it was, therefore, thy duty to attend to me.

Luke 7:44. Thou gavest me no water for my feet:

Though that was the common custom.

Luke 7:44. But he hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head Thou gavest me no kiss;

Which was the customary welcome to every honoured guest a kiss upon the cheek or upon the forehead.

Luke 7:45. But this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.

She has done what thou oughtest to have done; she has done it better than thou couldest have done it; she has done it when there was no claim upon her to do it, except that she had been forgiven much, and, therefore, loved much.

Luke 7:46. My head with oil thou didst not anoint;

This, too, was the usual custom.

Luke 7:46. But this woman, hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much; but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.