Section 59
Christ's feet anointed by a sinful but contrite woman
Galilee, in the house of Simon the Pharisee
Luke 7:36-50
36One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, so he went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. 37And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she found out that Jesus was reclining at the table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. 38As she stood behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with the hair of her head, kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39When the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” 40Jesus said to him in response, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” So he said, “Say it, Teacher.” 41“A certain moneylender had two debtors. The one owed five hundred denarii, and the other owed fifty. 42When they did not have the means to repay, he forgave the debts of them both. So tell me, which of them will love him more?” 43Simon answered, “I suppose that it would be the one for whom he forgave the larger debt.” Jesus said to him, “You have judged correctly.” 44Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? When I came into your house, you did not give me water for my feet, but this woman has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. 45You did not give me a kiss, but from the time I came in, this woman has not stopped kissing my feet. 46You did not anoint my head with oil, but this woman has anointed my feet with ointment. 47Therefore I tell you, her many sins are forgiven; that is why she has shown great love. But he to whom little is forgiven shows little love.” 48Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49But those who were reclining at the table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this man that even forgives sins?” 50And Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”