36 [a]And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him: and he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down at table.

37 And behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at table in the Pharisee’s house, she brought a box of ointment.

38 (A)And she stood at his feet behind him weeping, 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.

39 [b]Now when the Pharisee which bade him, saw it, he spake within himself, saying, If this man were a Prophet, he would surely have known who, and what manner of woman this is which toucheth him: [c]for she is a sinner.

40 [d]And Jesus answered, and said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he said, Master, say on.

41 There was a certain lender which had two debtors: the one ought five hundred pence, and the other fifty:

42 When they had nothing to pay, he forgave them both: Which of them therefore, tell me, will love him most?

43 Simon answered, and said, I suppose that he to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast truly judged.

44 Then he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, and thou gavest me no water to my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.

45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but she, since the time I came in, hath not ceased to kiss my feet.

46 Mine head with oil thou didst not anoint: but she hath anointed my feet with ointment.

47 Wherefore I say unto thee, many sins are forgiven her: [e]for she loved much. To whom a little is forgiven, he doth love a little.

48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven thee.

49 And they that sat at table with him, began to say within themselves, Who is this that even forgiveth sins?

50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee: [f]go in peace.

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 7:36 Proud men deprive themselves of the benefits of the presence of Christ, even then when he is at home with them in their houses; which the humble and base do enjoy.
  2. Luke 7:39 Rashness is the fellow of pride.
  3. Luke 7:39 The Pharisee respecteth the Law, which holdeth them defiled, that touch the defiled.
  4. Luke 7:40 To love Christ, is a sure and perpetual witness of remission of sins.
  5. Luke 7:47 That is, saith Theophylact, she hath showeth her faith abundantly: and Basil in his sermon of Baptism saith, He that oweth much, hath much forgiven him, that he may love much more: And therefore Christ’s saying is so plain by the similitude , that it is a wonder to see the enemies of the truth draw and rack this place so soundly to establish their meritorious works: for the greater sum a man hath forgiven him, the more he loveth him that hath been so gracious to him: And this woman showeth by duties of love, how great the benefit was she had received: and therefore the charity that is here spoken of, is not to be taken for the cause, but as a sign: for Christ saith not as the Pharisees did, that she was a sinner, but beareth her witness that the sins of her life past are forgiven her.
  6. Luke 7:50 He confirmeth the benefit which he had bestowed with a blessing.

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