Simon

36One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him. Jesus went into his house and lay down at the table.

And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat.

NoteAt a special meal people lay on low couches around the table. They leaned on one elbow, with their feet pointing away. That is why the woman could reach his feet.

37A woman in that town had lived a sinful life. She heard that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house. She brought a stone jar of sweet-smelling oil.

And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,

NoteThe jar was made of alabaster, a smooth white stone. Jars like it held costly sweet-smelling oil.

38She stood behind Jesus at his feet, crying. Her tears fell on his feet, and she dried them with her hair. She kissed his feet and poured the oil on them.

And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

NotePouring sweet oil on someone was a way to show them honor. A woman letting her hair down in front of others was unusual.

39The Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this. He thought to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him. He would know she is a sinner."

Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

40Jesus said to him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." Simon said, "Teacher, go ahead."

And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.

41Jesus said, "Two men owed money to a lender. One owed five hundred silver coins. The other owed fifty."

There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.

NoteOne silver coin was a day's pay for a worker. Five hundred coins was more than a year of work.

42"Neither man could pay him back. So the lender said they did not have to pay. Which man will love him more?"

And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?

43Simon answered, "I think the one who owed more." Jesus said to him, "You are right."

Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

44Jesus turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? When I came into your house, you gave me no water for my feet. She washed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair."

And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.

NoteRoads were dusty and people wore sandals. A good host gave a guest water to wash his feet.

45"You gave me no kiss to welcome me. But she has kissed my feet ever since I came in."

Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.

NoteA kiss on the cheek was the normal way to say hello to a guest.

46"You did not pour oil on my head. But she poured sweet-smelling oil on my feet."

My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.

NotePouring a little oil on a guest's head was another polite welcome.

47"So I tell you, her many sins are forgiven. That is why she loved so much. But a person who is forgiven only a little loves only a little."

Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

48Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

49The other people at the table said to themselves, "Who is this man? He even forgives sins."

And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?

50Jesus said to the woman, "Your trust has saved you. Go in peace."

And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

Note"Go in peace" was a kind goodbye. It wished a person safety and rest.