LUKE 7:36–50, THE PARDON OF THE SINFUL WOMAN
MERCY RECEIVED IN FAITH BECOMES LOVE POURED OUT WITHOUT FEAR
Introduction
This Gospel unfolds at a meal table, a place of hospitality and relationship, yet it becomes a moment of revelation and judgment. Jesus is invited by a Pharisee who believes himself righteous, while an unnamed sinful woman enters uninvited, carrying the weight of her past and the hope of forgiveness. What precedes this scene is Jesus’ teaching on wisdom and repentance; what follows is a living illustration of those truths. Here, love, mercy, repentance, and faith confront pride, calculation, and hidden judgment. Jesus allows the encounter to unfold so that hearts—both hardened and contrite—may be revealed.
Bible Passage (Luke 7:36–50)
A Pharisee invited him to dine with him, and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. Now there was a sinful woman in the city who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee. Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment, she stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment.
When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.”
Jesus said to him in reply, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said.
“Two people were in debt to a certain creditor; one owed five hundred days’ wages and the other owed fifty. Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both. Which of them will love him more?”
Simon said in reply, “The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.” He said to him, “You have judged rightly.”
Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet, but she has bathed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with ointment.
So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”
He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
The others at table said to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
But he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Background
Luke frequently places decisive encounters at meals to reveal inner dispositions. Pharisees represented strict observance of the law and social separation from sinners. The woman, publicly known as sinful, likely lived on the margins of religious society. This passage follows Jesus’ teaching on wisdom and rejection, showing concretely how sinners respond with faith while the self-righteous resist grace. The story echoes prophetic themes of God desiring mercy rather than sacrifice.
Opening Life Connection
Many people avoid God not because they are sinful, but because they feel unworthy. Others approach God confidently yet remain unchanged because they do not believe they need forgiveness. In this Gospel, both types stand before Jesus. One comes with tears and love; the other with invitation and judgment. The question is not who sins more, but who allows God’s mercy to touch the heart.
Verse-by-Verse / Phrase-by-Phrase Reflection
When “a Pharisee invited him to dine”, the invitation seems respectful, yet the hospitality is incomplete. Jesus accepts, revealing His openness even to those who misunderstand Him. Reclining at table places His feet outward, making them accessible—an unintended openness to mercy.
The woman enters, described simply as “a sinful woman in the city”. Luke does not name her sin; her identity is not her offense but her repentance. She brings “an alabaster flask of ointment”, a costly offering, signaling intention and sacrifice.
She stands “behind him at his feet weeping”. Her tears speak what words cannot—contrition, gratitude, surrender. She “bathed his feet with her tears”, offering what she has most honestly: her sorrow. Wiping with her hair, an act of humility and vulnerability, she abandons dignity for love. Her kisses are continuous, not ritual, and the anointing turns repentance into worship.
Simon’s silent judgment—“If this man were a prophet…”—reveals a theology that excludes mercy. He assumes holiness cannot tolerate sinners. Jesus answers not the spoken words but the heart.
With the parable of debtors, Jesus reframes sin as debt and forgiveness as grace. Neither debtor can repay. Mercy is not earned. Love flows from forgiveness received.
When Jesus asks, “Which will love him more?”, Simon answers correctly but incompletely. Knowledge alone does not transform.
Jesus then contrasts hospitality. “You did not give me water… you did not give me a kiss… you did not anoint my head”—customary acts withheld. In contrast, the woman offers extraordinary devotion. Love reveals itself in action.
Jesus declares, “Her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love.” Forgiveness precedes love, yet love manifests forgiveness received. The warning follows: “the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” It is not about the quantity of sin but awareness of mercy.
When Jesus says, “Your sins are forgiven,” He claims divine authority. The murmuring confirms it. Finally, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace”—faith, not reputation, not ritual, restores communion and grants peace.
Jewish Historical and Religious Context
Touching a sinner rendered one ritually unclean in Pharisaic thought. A woman loosening her hair in public was scandalous. Jesus overturns these boundaries, showing that mercy restores purity rather than being defiled by sin. The scene fulfills prophetic calls to compassion over legalism.
Catholic Tradition and Teaching
This passage prefigures the Sacrament of Reconciliation. True contrition, faith in Christ’s mercy, and forgiveness restore peace. The Church teaches that forgiveness flows from Christ’s authority and that love is the fruit of grace received. The woman models perfect contrition born of love.
Historical or Saintly Illustration
Saint Mary Magdalene, long associated with this passage in Christian tradition, became a fearless witness to the Resurrection. Forgiven much, she loved greatly. Her transformed life shows how mercy becomes mission.
Application to Christian Life Today
This Gospel challenges judgmental attitudes and fear-based faith. It invites sinners to approach Christ boldly and warns the righteous against cold religiosity. True holiness flows from gratitude for mercy, not comparison with others.
Eucharistic Connection
At the altar, Christ welcomes sinners as He did at the table of Simon. The Eucharist is not a reward for perfection but nourishment for the repentant. Like the woman, we come with empty hands and receive mercy that sends us forth in peace.
Messages / Call to Conversion
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Recognize your need for mercy and approach Christ without fear.
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Repent sincerely, trusting in God’s power to forgive.
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Let gratitude for forgiveness deepen your love and devotion.
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Reject judgment of others and cultivate compassionate hearts.
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Resolve to live daily in faith that expresses itself through love.
Outline for Preachers
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Context: Jesus at table with Pharisees
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Life connection: fear vs. trust in approaching God
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Key phrases: tears, debt, forgiveness, love, faith
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Jewish purity laws and social boundaries
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Catholic teaching on forgiveness and reconciliation
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Saintly witness of transformed sinners
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Application: mercy over judgment
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Eucharistic hospitality and healing
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Call to conversion: repentance, faith, love, peace
