Dinner with Simon the Pharisee

And one of the Pharisees wanted him to dine with him. And Jesus went to the Pharisee’s home, went in, and sat down to eat. And look! A woman from the town—who was a known sinner—when she found that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, came with an alabaster box of ointment. She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to wash his feet with her tears, and dry them with her hair. She repeatedly kissed his feet and poured the ointment out on them.

Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he grumbled to himself, thinking, “This man—if he were a great prophet—would have known who and what manner of sinful woman this is that touched him.”

And Jesus answered his thoughts, and said to him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”

And he said, “Rabbi, go ahead.”

“There was a certain financier with two debtors who defaulted on their loans. One owed 500 shekels and the other fifty. But, when they couldn’t pay, he completely forgave them both. Now, tell me, which one will love him the most?”

Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one that was forgiven the most.”

And he said to him, “You have correctly answered.”

And he turned to the woman, and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came home with you, but you didn’t give me any water to wash my feet. She, however has washed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. You gave me no kiss of greeting, but this woman has not ceased to kiss my feet. You didn’t anoint my head with oil, but this woman has anointed my feet with ointment.

Therefore, I tell you, her sins—which are numerous—are forgiven, because she has loved abundantly. But to those who have less to be forgiven, love less.”

And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

And these who were eating with him began to question this in their minds, thinking, “Who is this that even forgives sins?”

And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”