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The Anointing in Galilee

36 One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and He went into the Pharisee’s house [in the region of Galilee] and reclined at the table. 37 Now there was a woman in the city who was [known as] a [a]sinner; and [b]when she found out that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume; 38 and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began wetting His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and [respectfully] kissed His feet [as an act signifying both affection and submission] and [c]anointed them with the perfume. 39 Now when [Simon] 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 [notorious] sinner [an outcast, devoted to sin].”

Parable of Two Debtors

40 Jesus, answering, said to the Pharisee, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he replied, “Teacher, say it.” 41 “A certain moneylender had two debtors: one owed him five hundred [d]denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they had no means of repaying [the debts], he freely forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “The one, I take it, for whom he forgave more.” Jesus said to him, “You have decided correctly.” 44 Then turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house [but you failed to extend to Me the usual courtesies shown to a guest]; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair [demonstrating her love]. 45 You gave Me no [welcoming] kiss, but from the moment I came in, she has not ceased to kiss My feet. 46 You did not [even] anoint My head with [ordinary] oil, but she has anointed My feet with [costly and rare] perfume. 47 Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 Those who were reclining at the table with Him began saying among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith [in Me] has saved you; go in peace [free from the distress experienced because of sin].”

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 7:37 I.e. an immoral woman or prostitute.
  2. Luke 7:37 When a Rabbi (teacher) was visiting in someone’s home, it was acceptable for uninvited guests to come and listen to the conversation.
  3. Luke 7:38 There were apparently two anointings of Jesus. This one in the home of Simon the Pharisee (identified in v 40) in the area of Galilee by an unnamed woman, and the other in the home of Simon the Leper in Bethany, by Mary the sister of Martha and Lazarus. The anointing in Bethany preceded the triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matt 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-8).
  4. Luke 7:41 A denarius was equivalent to a day’s wages.

The Anointing in Galilee

36 Now one of the Pharisees was requesting Him to eat with him, and He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 (A)And there was a woman in the city who was a [a]sinner; and when she learned that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume, 38 and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, and began kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were (B)a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a [b]sinner!”

Parable of Two Debtors

40 And Jesus responded and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he [c]replied, “Say it, Teacher.” 41 “A moneylender had two debtors: the one owed five hundred [d](C)denarii, and the other, fifty. 42 When they (D)were unable to repay, he canceled the debts of both. So which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered and said, “I assume the one for whom he canceled the greater debt.” And He said to him, “You have judged correctly.” 44 And turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you (E)gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You [e](F)gave Me no kiss; but she has not stopped kissing My feet since the time I came in. 46 (G)You did not [f]anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume. 47 For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but the one who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 And He said to her, (H)Your sins have been forgiven.” 49 And then those who were reclining at the table with Him began saying [g]to themselves, “(I)Who is this man who even forgives sins?” 50 And He said to the woman, (J)Your faith has saved you; (K)go in peace.”

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 7:37 I.e., an immoral woman
  2. Luke 7:39 I.e., an immoral woman
  3. Luke 7:40 Lit says
  4. Luke 7:41 The denarius was a day’s wages for a laborer
  5. Luke 7:45 A customary form of greeting between rabbis
  6. Luke 7:46 A customary act of hospitality
  7. Luke 7:49 Or among