A Sinful Woman Anoints Jesus
Jesus eats in a Pharisee’s house when a sinful woman enters with perfume and weeping. Simon judges the moment, but Jesus answers with a debt story, compares the woman’s care with Simon’s neglect, and declares her sins forgiven. The table questions his authority, and the woman is sent away in peace.
T36hen one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to eat with him, and He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37When a sinful woman from that town learned that Jesus was dining there, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume. 38As she stood behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears and wipe them with her hair. Then she kissed His feet and anointed them with the perfume. 39When the Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, He would know who this is and what kind of woman is touching Him — for she is a sinner!” 40But Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” 41“Two men were debtors to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42When they were unable to repay him, he forgave both of them. Which one, then, will love him more?” 43“I suppose the one who was forgiven more,” Simon replied. 44And turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give Me water for My feet, but she wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45You did not greet Me with a kiss, but she has not stopped kissing My feet since I arrived. 46You did not anoint My head with oil, but she has anointed My feet with perfume. 47Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven, for she has loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.” 48Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49But those at the table began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50And Jesus told the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Verse 36A Pharisee invites Jesus to eat, and Jesus reclines at the table in his house.
The scene is set in a private meal.
Verse 37A sinful woman learns of the meal and brings an alabaster jar of perfume.
Her entrance is deliberate and costly.
Verse 38She stands behind Jesus weeping, washes his feet with tears, wipes them with her hair, kisses them, and anoints them with perfume.
Her grief and honor are made visible.
Verse 39The Pharisee judges that a true prophet would know the woman and her sin.
He interprets the moment by status and purity.
Verse 40Jesus responds that he has something to tell Simon.
He turns the judgment into an answer.
Verse 41Jesus tells of two debtors owing different amounts to a moneylender.
The story frames differing debts.
Verse 42When both debts are canceled, Jesus asks which debtor will love more.
Forgiveness leads to comparison of love.
Verse 43Simon answers that the one forgiven more will love more.
The point is named plainly.
Verse 44Jesus contrasts the woman’s tears and care with Simon’s lack of water and welcome.
Her actions exceed his hospitality.
Verse 45He notes that she has kept kissing his feet since he arrived, while Simon gave no greeting kiss.
Her attention continues where his did not.
Verse 46He contrasts her perfume with the oil Simon withheld for his head.
She honors him where he withheld honor.
Verse 47Jesus says her many sins have been forgiven because she loved much, while little forgiveness yields little love.
Forgiveness and love are tied together in his judgment.
Verse 48Jesus tells the woman that her sins are forgiven.
The verdict is spoken directly to her.
Verse 49The table guests wonder who Jesus is to forgive sins.
His authority provokes their question.
Verse 50Jesus tells the woman her faith has saved her and sends her away in peace.
Faith receives the closing word and departure.
A quiet block diagram: each row is one authored paragraph movement, with verse numbers kept visible for scanning and deeper work.
- vv. 36-50
Jesus eats in a Pharisee’s house when a sinful woman enters with perfume and weeping. Simon judges the moment, but Jesus answers with a debt story, compares the woman’s care with Simon’s neglect, and declares her sins forgiven. The table questions his authority, and the woman is sent away in peace.
This paragraph keeps the scene at the table while moving from judgment to forgiveness.