Luke 7:36-40

Luke 7:36 (KJB)
And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.

A Pharisee names Simon had desired that Jesus would come to his house and have a meal with him. Now the motive for the invitation is not known but it may have been another attempt to try and get Jesus to say something which would incriminate Himself. It may also have been the fact that Simon was curious and wanted to gain a better understanding of who Jesus was and His ministry. Jesus accepted the invitation and went to his home.

Luke 7:37 (KJB)
And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,

This was the first time that Jesus was anointed. Jesus was anointed three separate times. This time was at the beginning of Jesus’ Ministry in Capernaum. The woman’s identity is unknown. She may have been a woman of bad character from the town who heard of Jesus and His ability to forgive sins and make the lives of people new. She came to the house of Simon to see Jesus and brought along an alabaster box of ointment. Custom had allowed people to join in a feast even if they were not invited. This anointing of Jesus was done in recognition of his death and burial. The alabaster box and the ointment were both very costly. The reason that body of Jesus was anointed this way was because He was crucified on Friday. The Sabbath evening was fast approaching. They took the body down and wrapped it and buried it. The next day was the Sabbath when they could do no work. The next day was Sunday when they made their way to the tomb to finish wrapping the body properly and anointing it but by the time the people got to the tomb, Jesus had already risen so there was no post-cross anointing and that is why it was done before the cross.

Luke 7:38 (KJB)
And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

The Pharisees were strict separatists and would not have let this woman into their home. Even though she was not welcome, she came anyway because of her deep contrition and repentance. She was so sorry for her sins that she actually washed His feet with her tears and wiped them with the hairs of her head. She then kissed His feet and anointed them with the ointment. She had stayed behind Jesus all the time that she did this as a sign of unworthiness to go into His presence. He would have been in a reclining position so His feet were easily accessible. She had a deep reverence for Jesus. Maybe Jesus had healed her and forgave her sins in the town of Capernaum. It is not recorded, so I will not speculate.

Luke 7:39 (KJB)
Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

Simon seemed to have been critical of Jesus and was watching this scenario play out. According to the way Simon had thought, that if Jesus were a true prophet, He would have complete knowledge about who this woman was and what manner of woman she was. Simon declared that she was a sinner and no true prophet would allow themselves to be touched by her. Simon did not want to declare what he was thinking openly so he spoke within himself. However, Jesus knew exactly what he was thinking. Probably Simon thought that he had the proof that he desired to prove that Jesus was not a real prophet. Simon had a critical spirit and he misjudged on two very important issues. He misjudged Jesus in thinking that He would condemn the woman instead of forgiving her, and secondly, he misjudged the woman’s motive and her state. She was a forgiven person which means she was a believer. Simon had great trouble in understanding the concept of forgiveness even though it was written in the law in many places. The Mosaic sacrifices were made to elicit forgiveness from God for sin and yet the Pharisees could not understand it.

Luke 7:40 (KJB)
And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.

Jesus being deity and knowing what Simon was thinking, was about to answer those objections with an analogy. So Jesus tells Simon that He has something to say to Simon and Simon then tells Him to go on and speak. Simon had wondered if Jesus was truly a prophet because he concluded that Jesus did not discern what type of woman this was but here Jesus is showing full deity by responding to the thoughts of Simon. I am sure Simon did not expect that but he may get the message when he realizes the subject material.

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