Canceled debts and a loving response
Luke records a woman approaching Jesus with an alabaster jar of perfume. Standing behind him, she wept, wet his feet with her tears, wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. Simon privately questioned whether Jesus could be a prophet if he allowed a woman he regarded as a sinner to touch him (Luke 7:36–39). [1]
Jesus answered Simon with two debtors. One owed a moneylender five hundred denarii; the other owed fifty. Neither could repay, and the lender canceled both debts. The difference in their debts did not change their shared inability to pay or the lender's decision to forgive them both (Luke 7:41–42). [2]
Jesus then asked which debtor would love the lender more. Simon answered that it would be the one whose larger debt had been forgiven, and Jesus affirmed his answer. Simon could recognize the connection between a greater canceled debt and a greater loving response in the story (Luke 7:42–43). [2]
Jesus applied that answer through a concrete comparison. Simon had offered no water for his feet, no welcoming kiss and no oil for his head. The woman's actions supplied the contrasting expressions of care. Jesus turned toward her while addressing Simon, asking him to notice what she had actually done (Luke 7:44–46). [1]
Jesus described her great love as showing that her many sins had been forgiven, adding that whoever has been forgiven little loves little. In this Christian understanding of forgiveness, her loving actions express the forgiveness she has received. Jesus then addressed her directly: “Your sins are forgiven” (Luke 7:47–48). [1]
The other guests questioned who Jesus was to forgive sins. Luke ends the encounter with Jesus speaking to the woman about faith and peace: “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” His final words identify her faith, while the guests' question brings his authority to forgive into focus (Luke 7:49–50). [1]
