The woman who lived a sinful life

For the List of "Women of the Bible", click Blog Archive, 2008 December.
Glossary is given at the end of the Chapter for * marked words.

21 Questions & Answers
Read Scripture Reference: Luke 7:36-50
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#1. Who invited Jesus for Dinner in this story?

#1. The host was Simon, one of the Pharisees. Lk 7:36-40
Simon learned valuable lessons about love, courtesy, and forgiveness after the sinful woman anointed Jesus at this event.
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#2. How many Simons are in the Bible?

#2.Total 9 Simons are in the Bible, including the above Pharisee. The name Simon is used in New Testament as Greek alternative for Hebrew, “Simeon.”
a) The father of Judas Iscariot (John 6:71).
b) One of Jesus' disciples; a son of Jonah (Matthew 16:17) and brother of Andrew. After he confessed Jesus as the Christ, the Lord changed his name to Peter (Matthew 16:18).
c) A native of Cyrene who was forced to carry Jesus' cross to Golgotha (Mark 15:21).
d) A tanner of animal skins who lived in the seaport of Joppa. Peter stayed at his house (Acts 9:43) and there received a visionary message from God declaring all foods to be fit for consumption (Acts 10:9-16).
e) Jesus' disciple also called “the Canaanite” (Matthew 10:4) or the Zealot (Luke 6:15).
f) Brother of Jesus (Matthew 13:55).
g) A leper who hosted Jesus and saw a woman anoint Jesus with costly ointment (Matthew 26:6-13). Don't ever get confused with this Simon.
h) A magician from Samaria who believed Philip's preaching, was baptized, and then tried to buy the power of laying on hands and giving the Holy Spirit to people (Acts 8:9-24).
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#3. What are the basic bio data of the woman given in this story?

#3. a)Lived publicly a sinful life-(Sinner)
b)Notorious
c)She knew Jesus and wanted to meet him
d)Bold enough to go to Pharisee's house without invitation
e)Repentant about her sinful life
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#4. Who was this uninvited guest at the dinner and why she wanted to meet Jesus?
#4. This woman is not the Mary Magdalene or Mary of Bethany. This anointing is not the same as the anointing at Bethany shortly before Jesus' crucifixion (John 12:1-8).
Lk 7:37-38 When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar* of perfume, 38and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

This verse tells us several things about the woman. Surely, she has not been invited. While a resident of the town, people looked down upon her as a sinner. Though we are not told what her sin was, she was probably a prostitute* rather than an adulteress*.

In Jesus' day adulterers were not stoned as the law directed in Lev 20:10;
Deu 22:22; John 8:1-11. The Romans did not allow the Jews to afflict the death penalty. The most they could administer was forty lashes minus one. More often sinners were shunned by respectable society and prohibited to participate in the local synagogue. Simon would not be happy to see her in his house. But she was bold enough to go to his house.

But this sinful woman has heard of Jesus. She has probably heard his teaching and preaching such as God's love, forgiveness, healing and restoration. So she must have believed that she had hope for a second chance(repentant about her sinful life). With this hope of repentance she must have determined to lead a new life. That must have compelled her to meet Jesus.
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#5. How did she get inside?

#5. This is not explained in the text clearly.
But it seems like the oriental banquet was a sort of public affair. People were free to attend and listen the dinner conversation, or to come for healing of their sickness or to hear the wisdom of the Rabbi or probably the uninvited guests were allowed to pick the left overs of the food. In American society this would be considered, "crashing the party".

Simon was not alarmed with the presence of this sinner woman. He was concerned that how come Jesus didn't perceive what kind of woman she was?.

Apparently this woman didn't come in late, but she got to the house even before Jesus came in and was waiting with others, Lk 7:45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet.
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#6. How many different titles can be considered for this story in Lk 7: 36-50?

#6. At least 5 may be appropriate.
a) The woman who lived a sinful life
b) Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman
c) Jesus forgives a sinful woman
d) The parable of Two cancelled debts
e) The Parable of the Creditor and the Two Debtors
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#7. In a nutshell, what is this parable Jesus talking about?

#7. It was a rebuke to Simon's criticism of the woman's demonstration of penitence*.
(*Penitence=expressing or feeling regret or sorrow for having committed sins or misdeeds.)
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#8. Name two other instances when Jesus was very tender in His attitude toward women who had made a misstep, yet no one questioned his motives?

#8. Jn 8:4,7 and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. Jesus said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."

Jn 4:18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true."
Jn 4:27 Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, "What do you want?" or "Why are you talking with her?"
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#9. Can you differentiate this story from a similar love story which is often get confused because of several similarities?

#9. Only John speaks of Mary anointing Jesus in Bethany (John 12:1–8), while the woman who anointed him remains unnamed in Matthew 26:6–13 and Mark 14:3–9.

This story is called,"The anointing at Bethany" and its similarities are:
a)Jesus is also anointed with expensive perfume
b)He is also anointed by a woman
c)This event also took place in the house of a man named Simon

This event at Bethany differs on the following points.

a) It takes place at the home of Simon the Leper, not Simon the Pharisee.
b) The woman doing the anointing at Bethany is not spoken of as sinful, but she was Lazarus' sister Mary.
c) This similar act was performed by Mary of Bethany just over a week before the crucifixion (Jn 12:3), whereas the story of Simon's dinner must have taken place in the early part of Jesus' ministry.
d) The anointing was on the head, in Matthew and Mark, and the ?? feet in John.
e) The criticism is by disciples, especially Judas, over the value of the perfume that is wasted, rather than the criticism of the morals of the woman doing the anointing.

As a result of this confusion, Mary, the sister of Lazarus was thought to be a sinful woman, but that was not the way she was presented in the Gospels.
It appears that the dinner was taking place at Galilee*(see Glossary). Bethany is in Judea*, on the outskirts of Jerusalem.
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#10. Who are all the cast in this story?

#10. a)The forgiving creditor represents Jesus Christ
b) The person in debt 500 denarii represents the woman sinner
c) The self-righteous man owing 50 denarii represents Simon
d) The onlookers are the other guests in Simon's house
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#11. What we can learn from the 3 questions around which the parable revolves?

Questions:
A)Which of them will love him more?
B) Do you see this woman?
C) Who is this who even forgives sins?

#11. A)Which of them will love him more?
By his own admission, Simon pronounced judgment* on himself for misconstruing the woman's act, doubting Christ, and dishonoring his guest.When her sins were forgiven she expressed great love upon Jesus. While both debtors were forgiven, Luke made no indication that Simon repented.

Lk 7:42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"

a)1 John 3:10-11
10This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.
11This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.

b)1 John 3:16-23:
16This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 19This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence 20whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
21Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. 23And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 24Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

c)1 John 4:19
We love because he first loved us.

B) Do you see this woman?
Christ wanted Simon to realize that her loving and faithful attitude is what is required for forgiveness. He said it is her faith that brought forgiveness, not her tears, kisses, or ointment.

a)2Cori 7:9-10
9yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

b)Heb 11:6
6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

c)1Pet 1:6-9
6In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

d)Lk 7:47 for she loved much. Her love was evidence of her forgiveness, but not the basis for it. Verse 50 clearly states that she was saved by faith.

C) Who is this who even forgives sins?
Simon's guests were surprised to hear Jesus taking on the divine/sovereign power to forgive sin. Lastly, he said "Go in peace". This command for her to live and enjoy the full realization of the peace that surpasses all understanding. So Christ can forgive all who truly repent of their sins and turn to Him in faith.

a)Lk 5:20-25
20When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven."
21The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, "Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"
22Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 23Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? 24But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...." He said to the paralyzed man, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." 25Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God.

b)Acts 13:38-41
38"Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses. 40Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you:
41 "Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you."

c)Rom 3:23
23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

d)James 2:16-17
16If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

e)2Pet 1:2-4
2Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
3His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
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#12. What was the attitude of Simon, the Pharisee?

#12. The following 6 citations may explain his attitude.

a) Simon was shocked by the sinner's action, and even more by Christ's attitude toward her. So his attitude towards woman was disrespectful, hatred, and rejection. His attitude towards Jesus was doubtful, didn't know who Jesus was. Simon was too quick to judge her as a "sinner" and indirectly assuming himself a "righteous".

b)Prov 26:12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

c)Isa 65:5 who say, 'Keep away; don't come near me, for I am too sacred for you!'

d)2 Cori 10:12 We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.

e)Phili 2:3-4 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

f)Titus 1:16 They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.
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#13. What was the attitude of the woman?

#13. The following 4 citations may explain her attitude.

a) repentant about her sinful life and deep faith in Jesus.

b) 1 Cori 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest
of these is love.

c) 1 Cori 8:2-3 The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. 3But the man who loves God is known by God.

d) 1 John 2:10 Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble.
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#14. True or False. Jesus could have regarded this serious breach of etiquette of Simon, as a direct insult.

#14. True. That is why Jesus, a master teacher wanted to teach Simon the Pharisee about his hatred and poor judgment by telling him a parable.
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#15. What was the danger of Simon's smaller sin?

#15. Though Simon's sin was less, both owed a debt they could not possibly repay. He was like a man who was following a map and he was certain would lead to heaven. But when heaven came down and walked into his house, he didn't even know it. The woman on the other hand, realized that she had been lost. She recognized her need for grace, thus she got forgiven much, and in turn she loved much. She found heaven at the feet of Jesus.
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#16. Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace". Can we argue, were the woman's sins actually forgiven before she came to Simon's house?

#16. In John 8:4 when a woman was caught in the act of adultery, they brought her to Jesus. At the end of the trials Jesus warned her, "Go now and leave your life of sin." So possibly now we can argue, this woman was forgiven. Jesus' explanation of her actions well conforms that. She was prepared to show gratitude, love, and to offer thanksgiving. So she came with expensive perfume, and wept, and kissed Jesus' feet because she had already reached out in faith and accepted the forgiveness of God that he offered in his teaching. Jesus has welcomed her back into the fellowship and salvation of God's people.
The guests probably didn't understand it. They thought he was absolving her sins right there. That troubled them because only God could forgive sins (Lk 5:21).
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#17. What were the common duties of a host in that culture?

#17. a)Washing feet and dry them ( Woman washed Jesus' feet with tears and wiped with hair)
b) welcome the guest with kiss and Kissing feet was also not unusual. (Woman kissed Jesus' feet continually. People used to kiss Rabbi's feet as a mark of subjection, obedience and reverence).
c) Anointing with fragrant oil (Woman poured perfume on his feet)
The woman's actions showed overflowing love for Jesus. So she was the true host. Simon failed to meet the most basic duties of a host. The way Simon welcomed his guests seems pro-forma, but not specially warm or cordial.
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#18. What are the 2 significant points here in the money lending?

#18. a) It was the Moneylender's decision to cancel their debts.
b) Just because others have bigger debt, it does not nullify one's own smaller debt.
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#19. What are the differences in the accounting practices of Jesus and Simon for the Judgement day?

#19. Simon believed that he was upright and had a spotless record. When he was not a sinner, why do he need forgiveness anyway. But in the book of Jesus Simon had 10% debt(50/500) comparing to the woman with 100% debt.
Other parables of Jesus also teach that, "sin is a debt".
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#20. Find 5 promises in scripture about forgiveness?

#20.a)Psalm 25:11
For the sake of your name, O LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.
b)Psalm 65:3
When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions.
c)Acts 10:43
All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."
d)Eph 1:7-8
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
e)Coloss 1:13-14
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
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#21. How many Gospels carry this parable?

#21. This parable is only found in Luke.
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Glossary:

1. Alabaster jar, 2. Galilee,
3. Judea, 4. judgment, 5. adultery, 6. prostitution, 7. washing the feet

1. Alabaster jar = A long-necked globular bottle, a box or vessel for holding odoriferous ointments. These boxes were made from a stone found near Alabastron in Egypt, and from this circumstance the Greeks gave them the name of the city where they were made. The name was then given to the stone of which they were made;
and finally to all perfume vessels, of whatever material they were formed.
It is sometimes distinguished as oriental alabaster.

2. Galilee= the regional name of the northern part of Israel, generally to the west and north of the Sea of Galilee; in the New Testament the scene of Jesus' childhood and early public ministry, an area where Gentile influence was much stronger than in Judea to the south.

3. Judea= the Southern region of ancient Palestine; always included the city of Jerusalem and the territory immediately surrounding it. Judea, Samaria, and Galilee were generally considered the three main geographical divisions of Palestine; existed under Persian, Greek, and Roman rule; divided between Israel and Jordan in 1948; since 1967 completely occupied by Israel.

4. judgement (also judgment) = 1 the ability to make considered decisions or form sensible opinions. 2 an opinion or conclusion. 3 a decision of a law court or judge.
Who Are We to Judge others? Did Jesus forbid us from judging others?
No, Our judgments of others must be done with mercy.
Sometimes People make judging others an entertainment. See, what the Bible talks about judgment.
1 Samuel 16:7; Matthew 7:1-5; 2 Corinthians 5:16; James 5:9; James 4:11-12;
James 2:12-13.

5. adultery = extramarital sex. Voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone other than the lawful spouse.
Adultery can be a criminal act and also it can be grounds for divorce according to US Common Law.
In legal systems based on common law, criminal law is distinguished from what is known as civil law. In this context, the term civil law refers to the rules regulating private relationships, such as marriage, contracts, and personal injuries. In contrast, criminal law governs actions and relationships that aredeemed to harm society as a whole.

6. prostitution= 1. work of a prostitute: the act of engaging in sexual intercourse or performing other sex acts in exchange for money.2. misuse of talent for gain: the use of a skill or ability in a way that is considered unworthy, usually for financial gain -mental prostitution.

7. "Washing the feet" : This is illustrated in Blog Archive, 2008 March.

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Text:
Luke 7:36-50
Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman
36Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. 37When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
39When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner."
40Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." "Tell me, teacher," he said.
41"Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[d] and the other fifty. 42Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"
43Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled." "You have judged correctly," Jesus said.
44Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."
48Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."
49The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"
50Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."