Anointing His Feet
36-39One
of the Pharisees asked him over for a meal. He went to the Pharisee's
house and sat down at the dinner table. Just then a woman of the
village, the town harlot, having learned that Jesus was a guest in the
home of the Pharisee, came with a bottle of very expensive perfume and
stood at his feet, weeping, raining tears on his feet. Letting down her
hair, she dried his feet, kissed them, and anointed them with the
perfume. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to
himself, "If this man was the prophet I thought he was, he would have
known what kind of woman this is who is falling all over him."
40Jesus said to him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."
"Oh? Tell me."
41-42"Two
men were in debt to a banker. One owed five hundred silver pieces, the
other fifty. Neither of them could pay up, and so the banker canceled
both debts. Which of the two would be more grateful?"
43-47Simon answered, "I suppose the one who was forgiven the most."
"That's
right," said Jesus. Then turning to the woman, but speaking to Simon,
he said, "Do you see this woman? I came to your home; you provided no
water for my feet, but she rained tears on my feet and dried them with
her hair. You gave me no greeting, but from the time I arrived she
hasn't quit kissing my feet. You provided nothing for freshening up, but
she has soothed my feet with perfume. Impressive, isn't it? She was
forgiven many, many sins, and so she is very, very grateful. If the
forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal."
48Then he spoke to her: "I forgive your sins."
49That set the dinner guests talking behind his back: "Who does he think he is, forgiving sins!"
50He ignored them and said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace."