36 Now one of the Pharisees was requesting Him to dine with him, and He entered the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. 37 And there was a woman in the city who was 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 kept wiping them with the hair of her head , and 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 a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner ." 40 And Jesus answered him, "Simon , I have something to say to you." And he replied , "Say it, Teacher ." 41 "A moneylender had two debtors : one owed five hundred denarii , and the other fifty . 42 "When they were unable e to repay , he graciously forgave them both . So which of them will love him more ?" 43 Simon answered and said , "I suppose the one whom he forgave more ." And He said to him, "You have judged correctly ." 44 Turning toward the woman , He said to Simon , "Do you see this woman ? I entered your house ; you gave Me no water for My feet , but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair . 45 "You gave Me no kiss ; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet . 46 " You did not 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 he who is forgiven little , loves little ." 48 Then He said to her, " Your sins have been forgiven ." 49 Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say to themselves , " Who is this man who even forgives sins ?" 50 And He said to the woman , " Your faith has saved you; go in peace ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 7:36-50
Commentary on Luke 7:36-50
(Read Luke 7:36-50)
None can truly perceive how precious Christ is, and the glory of the gospel, except the broken-hearted. But while they feel they cannot enough express self-abhorrence on account of sin, and admiration of his mercy, the self-sufficient will be disgusted, because the gospel encourages such repenting sinners. The Pharisee, instead of rejoicing in the tokens of the woman's repentance, confined his thoughts to her former bad character. But without free forgiveness none of us can escape the wrath to come; this our gracious Saviour has purchased with his blood, that he may freely bestow it on every one that believes in him. Christ, by a parable, forced Simon to acknowledge that the greater sinner this woman had been, the greater love she ought to show to Him when her sins were pardoned. Learn here, that sin is a debt; and all are sinners, are debtors to Almighty God. Some sinners are greater debtors; but whether our debt be more or less, it is more than we are able to pay. God is ready to forgive; and his Son having purchased pardon for those who believe in him, his gospel promises it to them, and his Spirit seals it to repenting sinners, and gives them the comfort. Let us keep far from the proud spirit of the Pharisee, simply depending upon and rejoicing in Christ alone, and so be prepared to obey him more zealously, and more strongly to recommend him unto all around us. The more we express our sorrow for sin, and our love to Christ, the clearer evidence we have of the forgiveness of our sins. What a wonderful change does grace make upon a sinner's heart and life, as well as upon his state before God, by the full remission of all his sins through faith in the Lord Jesus!