LIFE OF JESUS BIBLE STUDY Jesus and Simon the Pharisee Luke 7:36-50

Luke 7:36-50 (NASB) 36 Now one of the Pharisees was requesting Him to dine with him, and He entered the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. 37 And there was a woman in the city who was a sinner; and when she learned that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume, 38 and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume.

39 Now 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 person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner." 40 And Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he replied, "Say it, Teacher." 41 “A moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 “When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?" 43 Simon answered and said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave more." And He said to him, "You have judged correctly." 44 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. 45 “You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet. 46 “You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume. 47 "For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little." 48 Then He said to her, "Your sins have been forgiven."

49 Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say to themselves, "Who is this man who even forgives sins?" 50 And He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

DEFINITIONS: Sinner: Who was depraved or wicked. This woman, it seems, was known to be a sinner-perhaps an abandoned woman or a prostitute. It is certain that she had much to be forgiven, and she had probably passed her life in crime. Barnes' Notes on the New Testament

Denarii:

Getting Started . . . In what ways have you been thanked recently?

What limits do most people place on hospitality?

In our culture, what sorts of behavior are considered the most shocking?

Explore It Verses 36-38 Who invited Jesus to dinner?

What did one woman do when she heard where Jesus was to dine?

Describe a time when God gave you joy in difficult circumstances.

Verses 39-48 Which of the woman’s actions do you find most compelling? 1

What did the Pharisee say about what the woman did?

When have you ever felt like Simon or the other guests when confronted with a person of questionable morals?

What did Jesus know about the woman’s motivation?

How did Jesus respond to Simon the Pharisee’s harsh thoughts?

What did Jesus think of Simon’s hospitality?

“Have you ever badly overestimated your abilities in some area? Maybe you asked someone to play tennis or one-on-one basketball, only to get blown off the court. Or perhaps you volunteered to sing with a choral ensemble, and then found out the music was way beyond your abilities. It's a very humbling and enlightening experience. Simon the Pharisee had a similar experience with Jesus. Simon badly overestimated his own righteousness. He looked at the woman who anointed Jesus' feet with her perfume and her tears as someone of less value, morally inferior. Jesus had to show Simon his own sins—particularly the sins of ungraciousness and inhospitality—in order for him to understand his own need for forgiveness. When you see someone caught in some kind of notorious sin, how do you respond: "Thank God I'm not like that" or "Lord, have mercy on me, the sinner"? If you have understood God's forgiveness and personally experienced it, be willing to grant forgiveness to others.” Life Application Bible Study Commentary

What did Jesus receive from people who had sinned?

Jesus' interaction with the woman is vastly different from his interaction with Simon. What does this indicate about his understanding of each?

“The parable does not deal with the amount of sin in a person's life but the awareness of that sin in his heart. How much sin must a person commit to be a sinner? Simon and the woman were both sinners. Simon was guilty of sins of the spirit, especially pride, while the woman was guilty of sins of the flesh (see 2 Cor. 7:1). Her sins were known, while Simon's sins were hidden to everyone except God. And both of them were bankrupt and could not pay their debt to God. Simon was just as spiritually bankrupt as the woman, only he did not realize it.” Bible Exposition Commentary (BE Series) - New Testament - The Bible Exposition Commentary – New Testament, Volume 1.

In what different ways has he dealt with the sins of the woman and Simon?

If you were the woman described in this story, how would the words and touch of Jesus make you feel?

What were the limits of Jesus’ compassion in this story? What are the limits of Jesus’ compassion toward us?

What was the result of the woman’s kindness?

“How did the woman know that her sins were forgiven? Jesus told her. How do we know today that we have been forgiven? God tells us so in His Word. Here are just a few verses to consider: Isaiah 1:18; 43:25-26; 55:6-7; Acts 13:38-39; Romans 4:7-8; Ephesians 4:32; and Hebrews 8:12. Once you understand the meaning of God's grace you have no trouble receiving His free and full forgiveness and rejoicing in it.” Bible Exposition Commentary (BE Series) - New Testament - The Bible Exposition Commentary – New Testament, Volume 1. 2

Verses 49-50 How did the other guests react to Jesus’ forgiveness of the woman?

Why, according to Jesus, was the woman saved?

“How was this woman saved? She repented of her sins and put her faith in Jesus Christ. How did she know she was truly forgiven? She had the assurance of His word. What was the proof of her salvation? Her love for Christ expressed in sacrificial devotion to Him. For the first time in her life, she had peace with God (Luke 7:50). Literally it reads, "Go into peace," for she had moved out of the sphere of enmity toward God and was now enjoying peace with God (Rom. 5:1; 8:7-8).” Bible Exposition Commentary (BE Series) - New Testament - The Bible Exposition Commentary – New Testament, Volume 1.

Conclusion: Why would it be unusual for someone to reach out to a Roman officer, a widow, or an immoral woman, as Jesus did (Luke 7)? “At this point in his life, Jesus ‘had it all.’ Crowds followed him. People shook their heads in amazement at his teaching. Almost everyone liked him. He was a genuine celebrity. According to all of the world’s values, he had a bright future. But then Jesus surprised everyone with remarkable statements and deeds reflecting what is really important in life. Blessings come to those who are poor, hungry, sad, and hated, he said—not to those who are rich, prosperous, and popular. He told his disciples that God wanted them to love their enemies and do good to them. He told them not to judge but to forgive. Then he demonstrated these values by reaching out to a Roman officer, a widow, an immoral woman, and others of low status. Jesus seldom told people what they expected to hear; his values opposed the world’s. But God’s values are right and true. Adult Questions for LESSONMaker.

Personal Application . . . In what ways does Jesus challenge your values (your sense of what’s important)?

Simon saw the sin; Jesus saw the sinner. Simon saw her offenses; Jesus saw her need. Simon saw the depth of her depravity; Jesus saw the magnitude of her love. All people are sinners. That fact alone should keep anyone from feeling superior or self-righteous. People also are loved beyond measure. That should keep anyone from feeling worthless or hopeless. Is there someone whom you have been looking down upon, considering his or her sins as much more serious than your own? Do you need to repent of any self-righteous attitudes toward anyone? When you are confronted with the sins of others, remember Jesus' words of forgiveness for this woman. When you face the reality of your own sins, remember that God's mercy and forgiveness are just as real—and just as necessary—for you too. Life Application Bible Study Commentary

What can you do to foster your own thankfulness to God this week?

With what character in the story do you most identify?

What people do you find it difficult to treat with kindness, compassion, or generosity (6:27-42)?

What people do you want to view more with Jesus’ eyes?

3