The Sinful Women

Encounters with Jesus

Simon the Pharisee and the Sinful Woman – Luke 7, verses 36 – 50

Lukes Gospel confronted the traditional way that men viewed women. It is full of Jesus’ encounters with women, from all Social Classes.

Here we find one of those encounters, but it is not one encounter but two – this is the encounter with Simon the Pharisee more than the sinful women.

• Background

While the Pharisees’ rulings concerning women’s matters were extremely strict, it would be wrong to assume that they describe the lifestyle of every Jewish family. For instance, the rabbis held that women should have their own rooms and, as much as possible, stay in them. For the average Jewish family of six living in poverty, this was simply impossible. So there is no doubt that the wives of the sages and Pharisees, to whom the strictest of rabbinical rulings were actually applied, had different lives than most women. [1]

Simon invites Jesus to his house for diner – not unusual, nothing special

They recline at table

The “woman” appears at his feet

The woman is known as a prostitute

She weeps and wets Jesus’ feet with her tears

She wipes them with her hair

She anoints them with perfume

• Simon’s response

If this MAN knew what sort of woman she was he would not let her touch him – she is sinful, she is unclean

Therefore this man is not a prophet

• Jesus’ response

He does not acknowledge the woman but speaks to Simon, by name

He gives an illustration then asks a question

• Simon’s response

The obvious answer based on current thinking at that time

• My response

I’m confused – if I am only forgiven little then is my love little?

Should I get more to be forgiven for so I can love more?

“Should I sin that grace may abound? Rom 6, v1”

In truth both may love the same – but Simon won’t see it like that

This is not a parable – it is a way Jesus often confronted the religious leaders of the day, with there own prejudices, e.g. Who’s wife in heaven.

Simon responds to the question as per the thinking of the day, and as we would probably answer today. It’s the “eye for an eye” thing.

When Jesus says “You answer correctly” he saying “You answered what you would feel should be the case”

And on that basis let’s look at what has happened so far

• Jesus compares Simon and the woman

To wash the feet of a guest

To give a kiss of welcome

To anoint a guest

None of these was compulsory, but they would indicate affection and respect. It would be “polite”

Simon had done none of these things.

But the woman …..

Washed his feet with her tears

Dried his feet with her hair

Kissed his feet

Anointed his feet

You see Jesus is saying that by Simons own reasoning he had received from Jesus little, whereas the women had received much. She has shown him more affection and respect.

The woman is already saved when she comes to Jesus – she has heard and now she has seen. Her sins HAVE BEEN, not are, forgiven.

• What made this woman do what she did

Prostitutes are very hard people. They do not love easily, if at all. They have no reason too. They are broken and lifeless in their eyes. It is easy to view this story almost like a romantic novel, with the hero coming over the hill top in the nick of time. This woman has changed.

She didn’t have to do it but she wanted to express her thankfulness to Jesus

There is an honesty in what she does, compared with Simon’s arrogance.

• “Your sins have been forgiven……your faith has saved you…..go into peace”

Your sins have been forgiven. “There is therefore NOW no condemnation”. Rom 8, 1 – A debtor can never be free until the creditor has been paid. Our debt has been paid.

Your faith has saved you. “We walk by faith, not by sight” 2 Cor 5, v7 Walking with God is an act of the will, not a fuzzy feeling

Go into peace. “My peace I give to you, not as the world gives.” John 14, v 27; 2Thes 3, v 16. PEACE = Gk, all to do with relationship, between God and Man, and man and man. Heb (Shalom)= Wholeness, finished, made perfect

 We constantly need to go into peace, by faith, because our sins are forgiven.

WHAT WOULD MAKE US BOW DOWN AT HIS FEET AND WEEP

OR DO WE LOOK DOWN ON THOSE WHO DO

HOW DO WE REACT WE JESUS SAYS “NEIL, THERES SOMETHING I NEED TO SAY TO YOU”

“GO AHEAD LORD”

“OCH”

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[1]Richards, Sue Poorman ; Richards, Larry: Every Woman in the Bible. Nashville, Tenn. : T. Nelson Publishers, 1999, S. 154