Luke 7:36–50
📖 The Scripture
“One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.” (Luke 7:36–38, ESV)
“Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.’ And he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’” (Luke 7:44–48, ESV)
🔍 Background
Simon the Pharisee invited Jesus to dinner, perhaps curious about His teaching. Yet hospitality was minimal—no greeting, no water, no honor. Into this cold atmosphere burst a woman known in the city as a sinner. She carried an alabaster flask, a costly treasure, but her tears were the greater offering. Kneeling at Jesus’ feet, she washed them with her tears, wiped them with her hair, and anointed them with perfume. What Simon withheld, she lavished.
🟪 Supper Insights
💧 Tears of Repentance – She “began to wet his feet with her tears” (Luke 7:38). Her sorrow over sin flowed into worship. True repentance doesn’t hide tears; it pours them at Jesus’ feet.
🌹 Perfume of Devotion – The alabaster jar was costly (cf. John 12:3). She gave her best because she had found her Savior. Real worship is always sacrificial.
💔 A Cold Host vs. A Warm Heart – Simon offered Jesus no welcome, but this woman would not stop kissing His feet. Jesus sees the heart behind the hospitality.
✝️ Typology and Theology
- Forgiveness Measured by Love – “Her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much” (Luke 7:47). Love is the evidence of forgiveness, not the purchase of it.
- The Costly Ointment – Her alabaster jar foreshadows another: Mary of Bethany breaking hers in John 12:3 to anoint Jesus before His burial. Both point to Christ’s worthiness.
- Grace that Overturns Religion – Simon the Pharisee clung to outward religion, but the sinner found inward renewal. This is the great reversal: “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11).
📌 Life Application
- 😭 Don’t Stifle Repentance – The woman was unashamed in her weeping. Have you brought your brokenness openly to Jesus, or are you more worried about others at the table?
- 🫶 Give Him Your Best – The alabaster jar reminds us: Jesus deserves not leftovers but costly devotion.
- ❤️ Measure Your Love – “He who is forgiven little, loves little” (Luke 7:47). If our love is shallow, it may be because we have forgotten the depth of our forgiveness.
🟦 Sermon Outline (Alliterated)
- The Invitation – A Pharisee’s Table (Luke 7:36)
- The Intrusion – A Woman of the City (Luke 7:37)
- The Intensity – Tears, Hair, and Ointment (Luke 7:38)
- The Indictment – Simon’s Coldness (Luke 7:44–46)
- The Instruction – Forgiveness and Love (Luke 7:47–50)
💡 Reflection
At Simon’s table, Jesus showed that forgiveness is not for the proud but for the penitent. The Pharisee left with questions, but the woman left with peace. “Your faith has saved you; go in peace” (Luke 7:50). Every supper with Jesus ends with change. Will we leave as Simon—unchanged, unmoved—or as the woman, forgiven and free?
