#50 Anointed by a Woman Sinner

#50 Anointed by a Woman Sinner

Please first read: Luke 7:36-50

Simon, a Pharisee, has invited Jesus to be his guest at his home for dinner and Jesus has accepted. Jesus has previously been invited and accepted various such invitations from publicans, Rabbis and sinners so this s not unusual. Simon’s invite does not necessarily mean he is impressed by Jesus’ teaching … but the size of the crowds involved cannot be ignored.

It would be appropriate, possibly expected, that a leading Pharisee in the area would so host such an individual. Because of the strict rules of the Pharisees as to whom, and how they associate with others of lesser rank and station it would be deemed and honor for the one invited.

Simon has been influenced by curiosity and partly by wanting to receive a very popular and exciting Teacher into his home. As the event unfolds it may be that Simon expects Jesus to do honor to him. The hospitality is condescending and limited in its nature. The customary attentions expected for an invited guest are omitted. Such rudeness is a major violation and bad reflection on established Eastern virtues.

The guest should have been invited to refresh himself on arrival. There should have been a basin of water to wash his feet, (a slave would normally be the one attending here … a Jewish laborer could not be required to do this) a kiss of greeting, anointing of his head with oil … the lack of such things was an affront, a direct insult. Jesus has not been invited as a social or religious equal. Simon wants to prove and expose Jesus as an impostor, a fraud.

The meal:

• Homes and yards were open places in this society and a banquet or feast of this time would be somewhat of a public event. 
• Visitors and even strangers could come in and observe and engage in the conversations; especially was this done when there were popular figures attending. 
• Men were the ones who would usually do this; women were not forbidden, but rarely did so.
• If any poor came they would be given a meal.
• Eating was done while reclining on couches, head toward the table, bare feet facing away to the outside. This was also the style among the Greeks and Romans as well as the Jews.

Simon:

He is a wealthy man and understands Jesus choosing a story about debtors and creditors. The logic cannot be misunderstood.

·         Absent Jesus, this woman would have not been allowed on the premises. He would not have allowed the woman to get near or touch him and certainly none of her tears would move him.

I picture Simon smiling to himself and thinking, “I gotcha!” (Verse 39)    

 Simon has made two wrong judgments:

1.      Expecting Jesus to condemn the woman … instead he forgives her.

2.      She was a sinner but through repentance she is now a forgiven sinner.

The Woman:

• She comes specifically seeking Jesus and seems oblivious to everything else around her.
• She is definitely not invited. She has been ostracized from society for the sin of immorality.
• She is weeping and in a repentant and contrite state. Her demeanor and actions indicate a worshipful attitude.
• She is unveiled and her hair is loosed … a breach of public etiquette.
• She kneels at Jesus’ feet and with her tears and hair begins to wash and dry his feet as a slave would do for its master.
• With this accomplished she produces some expensive perfumed ointment (not the less costly oil) and anoints the Lord’s feet. Perfumes were much sought after and many were very expensive. A flask with perfume was worn around the neck by women and used to both sweeten the breath and perfume the person.
• Her sins are great and her love and repentance is great. Both she and Jesus know this, hence Jesus tells her, “Thy sins are forgiven,” and then later “Thy faith hath saved thee.” She has repented of her sins.

Jesus:

Addresses Simon and exposes him. Jesus not only knows who and what the woman is but also what thoughts and feelings Simon has in his heart. This is something that a prophet could be able to do … Simon might begin questioning his resolve that Jesus is a fraud. The Lord points out Simon’s breach of the required social graces.

“Seest thou this woman?” Jesus asks Simon, and obviously he is physically doing so. The implied answer is Simon does not truly “Seest” the woman as the Lord does. Do you know her situation? Do you have any idea of her problems and her disappointments? Why she is as she is? What her life has been like. Maybe she needs someone to help her. There is not sufficient here to know if Simon was in any way affected by his time with the Savior. We do know the woman was for the better.

Glenn R. McGettigan 

March 2016

References:

“Jesus the Christ.” Talmage

“Life of Christ.” Farrar    

“Our Lord of the Gospels.” Clark     

“The Life of Christ.” Geike

“Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah.” Volume 1. Edersheim

“Doctrinal New Testament Commentary.” Volume 1. McConkie    

“Parables of Jesus the Messiah.” Howick

“The Complete Biblical Library – Luke.”

“The Communicators Commentary – Luke.”