A Woman, A Pharisee, and Jesus

A Woman, A Pharisee, and Jesus

Introduction (Luke 7:36–50)
Luke 7:36–50 presents a dinner at a Pharisee’s house, an unnamed weeping woman, and the Lord. Their meeting reveals how faith seeks Jesus, how pride resists Him, and how forgiveness reshapes love.

A Table, a City, and a Heart Ready for Jesus
Jesus accepted a Pharisee’s invitation and reclined at table (Luke 7:36). Word spread. A woman known in the city for sin learned where Jesus was and came with an alabaster flask of fragrant oil (Luke 7:37). Her courage is striking. Social custom, reputation, and stares did not keep her away. She came because she believed Jesus was the One who could deal with her sin.

Tears, Hair, Kisses, and Oil: The Language of Penitent Love
Standing behind the Lord’s feet, she wept so freely that her tears washed away the dust. Lacking basin or towel, she wiped His feet with her hair, kissed them without ceasing, and anointed them with costly perfume (Luke 7:38). Everything about her actions declares a broken and contrite spirit seeking mercy. Her gifts were costly; her water was costlier still.

Simon’s Silent Conclusion and the Lord’s Parable
The host thought within himself that a true prophet would recoil from such a woman (Luke 7:39). Jesus answered Simon’s thoughts with a parable: two debtors owed a creditor—one five hundred denarii, the other fifty. Neither had anything to repay, and both were freely forgiven. “Tell Me… which of them will love him more?” (Luke 7:41–42). Simon answered correctly: the one forgiven the larger debt (Luke 7:43). The point is piercing: whether the debt is great or small, spiritual bankruptcy is universal, and grace alone settles the account.

What Jesus Noticed and What Simon Missed
Turning toward the woman while speaking to Simon, the Lord contrasted her attentions with Simon’s omissions (Luke 7:44–46). The guest of honor received no water, no kiss, no oil from the host; yet this woman, aware of her need, supplied all three at His feet. The Lord sees both the proud neglect of religious formality and the quiet service of a penitent heart.

Forgiveness, Faith, and the Identity of Jesus
Jesus declared, “Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much” (Luke 7:47). Love here is the fruit of forgiveness received, not the purchase price of pardon. When He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven,” the table murmured, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” (Luke 7:48–49). Only God forgives sins. The Lord’s word reveals who He is and what He gives.

“Your Faith Has Saved You; Go in Peace”
The closing sentence shines like the sunrise: “Your faith has saved you; go in peace” (Luke 7:50). Her faith moved her from hearing to coming, from coming to honoring, and from honoring to trusting His word. Love expressed the change; faith received the grace. Peace followed.

Measuring Love by Awareness of Sin
Jesus ties depth of love to awareness of forgiveness (Luke 7:47). Whoever sees sin as small esteems grace as small and love as thin. Whoever sees sin as deadly esteems grace as immeasurable and love as abundant. The gospel trains our hearts to feel the weight of sin and the greater weight of mercy, so that love rises to meet the grace we have received.

Coming to Jesus Today
The woman in Luke 7 heard where Jesus was and came. The same Lord calls today. Believe in Him (John 3:16). Confess Him before others (Matthew 10:32–33). Repent (Luke 13:3). Be baptized to be saved (Mark 16:16). Walk in the light as He is in the light (1 John 1:7). The Savior still says to the penitent, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

A Woman, A Pharisee, and Jesus Sermon Outline:

• Text & Thesis

  • Luke 7:36–50. Faith that knows its need comes to Jesus, receives forgiveness, and overflows in love.

• I. The Setting: Invitation and Intrusion (Luke 7:36–38)

  • Jesus at a Pharisee’s table.

  • A known sinner enters with an alabaster flask.

  • Her courageous approach and acts of devotion.

• II. The Silent Judgment Exposed (Luke 7:39)

  • Simon’s inward test of Jesus.

  • The danger of religious pride.

• III. The Two Debtors (Luke 7:41–43)

  • One owes five hundred, one fifty; neither can repay.

  • Free forgiveness produces greater love.

  • Bankruptcy before God and the nature of grace.

• IV. What Jesus Saw (Luke 7:44–46)

  • Missing courtesies from the host.

  • Costly attentions from the penitent.

  • The Lord’s gaze and evaluation.

• V. Forgiveness Announced, Deity Revealed (Luke 7:47–49)

  • “Her sins… are forgiven.”

  • The room’s question about authority.

  • Only God forgives sins.

• VI. Salvation, Faith, and Peace (Luke 7:50)

  • “Your faith has saved you.”

  • Love as fruit of pardon; peace as the gift of Christ.

  • The shape of saving faith: hearing, coming, honoring, trusting.

• VII. Applications for Today

  • See sin truthfully (Romans 3:23).

  • Seek Jesus decisively (Hebrews 11:6).

  • Obey the gospel (John 3:16; Luke 13:3; Matthew 10:32–33; Mark 16:16).

  • Live forgiven and loving (1 John 1:7; John 14:15).

Call to Action
Come to Jesus as the woman came—aware of need and confident in His mercy. Believe the gospel, confess His name, repent of sins, and be baptized for salvation. Walk in the light, and let forgiveness overflow into love, service, and peace. The Savior still speaks pardon to every penitent heart.

Key Takeaways

• Jesus welcomes the penitent who seek Him with bold faith (Luke 7:37–38; Hebrews 11:6).

• Spiritual bankruptcy requires grace; free forgiveness fuels great love (Luke 7:41–43, 47).

• The Lord examines hearts and notices both neglect and devotion (Luke 7:44–46; 1 Samuel 16:7).

• Declared forgiveness reveals the authority and identity of Jesus (Luke 7:48–49; Mark 2:5–7).

• Saving faith responds in obedient steps that lead to peace (Luke 7:50; John 3:16; Luke 13:3; Mark 16:16).

Scripture Reference List

• Luke 7:36–50 — Core narrative: the Pharisee’s house, the woman’s devotion, the parable, and the verdict of forgiveness and peace.

• John 3:16 — Belief in the Son and the promise of life.

• Matthew 10:32–33 — Confessing Jesus before others.

• Luke 13:3 — The necessity of repentance.

• Mark 16:16 — Belief and baptism in the Lord’s salvation.

• 1 John 1:7 — Walking in the light and fellowship in Christ’s cleansing blood.

• Hebrews 11:6 — God rewards those who diligently seek Him.

• 1 Samuel 16:7 — The Lord looks on the heart (used to underscore Jesus’ evaluation).

• Mark 2:5–7 — Forgiving sins and the divine authority of Jesus (parallel insight to Luke 7).

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO