PER117

Jesus the Messiah in the Pharisee’s house

In Capernaum, Jesus accepts an invitation from a Pharisee named Simon. During the meal, a sinful woman anoints his feet with tears and perfume. Faced with Simon’s contempt, Jesus tells a parable about forgiveness and declares that the woman has been saved by her faith. This episode, recorded only by Luke (7,36-50), illustrates the opposition between the Pharisees’ religious pride and the repentant humility that opens the way to salvation.

6 min Pharisee anointing forgiveness repentance sinful woman 4 verses 1 book

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Biblical texts

Matthew

Matthew (King James Version) not cited in the book

Mark

Mark (King James Version) not cited in the book

Luke

Luke 7.36-50 (King James Version)

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.

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,

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.

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.

And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.

There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.

And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?

Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.

Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.

My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.

Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?

And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

John

John (King James Version) not cited in the book

Technical details

Location: Capernaum in Galilee

Date: July AD31

Method: We continue with Luke

Note on the approach: Matthew, Mark and John do not speak of this event

Having accepted an invitation to eat at the home of a Pharisee named Simon, Jesus the Messiah knows that this meal will not be a time of rest.

Jesus the Messiah in the Pharisee’s house

Comments

It is important not to confuse this event with the one in which Mary of Bethany anoints Jesus the Messiah’s feet (PER275: Mary anoints Jesus the Messiah). For further details, please consult the appendix ANN088: The two anointings.

This passage proves particularly relevant because, besides telling this woman’s story, Luke reveals through Simon’s words the mindset prevailing among most of the . To summarise this attitude, we note three points:

- The Pharisee’s contempt for this woman (Luke 7.39).
- The Pharisee’s contempt for Jesus the Messiah (Luke 7.39).
- The Pharisee’s lack of respect towards his guest (Luke 7.44-46).

This attitude is not unique to this particular Pharisee, Simon, but reflects the outlook of the vast majority of these men, who considered themselves superior to the people and even to Jesus, whom they did not recognise as the Messiah.

Simon was a Pharisee, meaning that he held the position of a religious teacher responsible for passing on the teaching of the law of Moses.

This account presents a contrast between two people during a meal to which Jesus the Messiah has been invited. These people embody the two extremes of Jewish society at the time.

On one side is Simon, a cultured, educated and religious man belonging to the party of the . He is a prominent citizen, probably financially comfortable. On the other is a woman of disreputable life, a prostitute. She has no education, no religion and no money. The first possesses everything, while the second lacks everything.

An event will disrupt this meal, which is largely devoted to theological discussions. Indeed, this is the sole reason Luke recounts it.

A woman known for her dissolute reputation enters the courtyard where the banquet is taking place. She approaches discreetly to wash the Lord’s feet. This gesture immediately draws Simon’s attention, and he concludes that the man he has invited is not a prophet.

It might seem surprising for someone not invited to a meal to appear among the guests. However, it is essential to place this situation back within the Jewish tradition of the time, when this kind of meal took place in an inner courtyard and was accessible to the public. This did not mean they were invited to eat, but rather that they could attend and appreciate the host’s standing.

This woman showed considerable courage by approaching the Master despite the guests’ judgement. Knowing Jesus the Messiah’s reputation, she was aware that he would welcome her without condemning her.

The situation is therefore particularly intriguing, with this woman unintentionally interrupting the meal and drawing every disapproving gaze upon herself. Normally, servants would have intervened to drive this unwanted person away, but the situation intrigues Simon, who seeks to confirm his opinion of Jesus: ‘If this man were a prophet, he would know!’ Of course he knows, and Jesus the Messiah is going to speak.

He speaks openly before those present to tell a . Simon answers the question appropriately, and the Lord’s explanation is then delivered with authority.

Simon, who already possessed everything, received nothing from Jesus the Messiah; this woman, however, who lacked everything, will leave with forgiveness for her many sins and the salvation of her soul.

The notion of repentance had ceased to exist among these people, who thought their status as Jews was enough. Simon’s fate remains unknown, but it is certain that he never forgot this meal.

We observe Jesus the Messiah’s care as he encourages this woman to leave the place where she was under the guests’ accusing gaze. This kind of meal was not a time of relaxation for the Master; nevertheless, he also strove to persuade these people.

Le Messie Jésus dans la maison du pharisien. À Capharnaüm, Jésus accepte l'invitation d'un pharisien nommé Simon. Pendant le repas, une femme pécheresse oint ses pieds de larmes et de parfum. Face au mépris de Simon, Jésus énonce une parabole sur le pardon et déclare la femme sauvée par sa foi. Cet épisode, rapporté uniquement par Luc (7,36-50), illustre l'opposition entre l'orgueil religieux des pharisiens et l'humilité repentante qui ouvre au salut. Commentaires. Il est important de ne pas confondre cet événement avec celui au cours duquel Marie de Béthanie oint les pieds de Jésus le Messie (PER275 : Marie oint le Messie Jésus). Pour plus de détails, veuillez consulter l'annexe ANN088 : Les deux onctions. Ce passage se révèle particulièrement pertinent car, en plus de relater l'histoire de cette femme, Luc expose, à travers les propos de Simon, l'état d'esprit prédominant chez la majorité des pharisiens. Pour résumer cette attitude, nous relevons trois points : - Le mépris du pharisien à l’égard de cette femme (Luc 7, verset 39). - Le mépris du pharisien à l’égard du Messie Jésus (Luc 7, verset 39). - Le manque de respect du pharisien envers son invité (Luc 7, versets 44 à 46). Cette attitude n’est pas propre à ce pharisien en particulier, Simon, mais elle reflète l’image de la grande majorité de ces hommes qui se considéraient supérieurs au peuple et même à Jésus, qu’ils ne reconnaissaient pas comme le Messie. Simon était un pharisien, ce qui signifie qu'il occupait la position d'enseignant religieux chargé de transmettre l'enseignement de la loi de Moïse. Ce récit présente une opposition entre deux personnages au cours d'un repas auquel le Messie Jésus a été invité. Ces personnages incarnent les deux extrêmes de la société juive de l'époque. D’un côté, il y a Simon, un homme cultivé, instruit, et religieux, adhérant au parti des pharisiens. C’est un notable, probablement aisé financièrement. De l’autre, une femme de mauvaise vie, une prostituée. Elle est sans instruction, sans religion, sans argent. Le premier possède tout, tandis que le second manque de tout. Un événement va venir troubler ce repas plutôt orienté sur des discussions théologiques. C’est d’ailleurs pour cette unique raison que Luc nous le relate. Une femme, connue pour sa réputation de vie dissolue, fait son entrée dans la cour où se déroule le banquet. Elle s'approche discrètement afin de laver les pieds du Seigneur. Ce geste attire immédiatement l'attention de Simon, qui en déduit que l'homme qu'il a invité n'est pas un prophète. Il pourrait sembler surprenant qu'une personne non invitée à un repas se présente au milieu des convives. Toutefois, il est essentiel de recontextualiser cette situation dans la tradition juive de l'époque, où ce type de repas avait lieu dans une cour intérieure et était accessible au public. Cela ne signifiait pas que ces derniers étaient invités à manger, mais plutôt qu'ils pouvaient assister afin d'apprécier la notoriété de l'hôte. Cette femme a manifesté un courage notable en s'approchant du Maître malgré les jugements des convives. Connaissant la réputation de Jésus le Messie, elle était consciente qu'il l'accueillerait sans la condamner. La situation est donc particulièrement intrigante, avec cette femme qui interrompt involontairement le déroulement du repas, attirant sur elle tous les regards réprobateurs. En temps normal, des serviteurs seraient intervenus pour chasser cette personne indésirable, mais la situation intrigue Simon, qui cherche à conforter son opinion de Jésus : 'Si cet homme était prophète, il saurait !' Bien sûr qu’il sait, et le Messie Jésus va parler. Il s'exprime ouvertement devant l'audience pour annoncer une parabole. Simon répond de manière appropriée à la question, et l'explication du Seigneur est alors délivrée avec autorité. Simon qui possédait déjà tout n’a rien obtenu du Messie Jésus, cependant cette femme qui manquait de tout va repartir avec le pardon de ses nombreux péchés et le salut de son âme. La notion de repentance avait cessé d'exister parmi ces individus qui pensaient que leur statut de Juif était suffisant. Le sort de Simon reste inconnu, mais il est certain qu'il n'a jamais oublié ce repas. Nous observons la sollicitude du Messie Jésus qui incite cette femme à quitter l'endroit où elle était sous le regard accusateur des convives. Ce type de repas n'était pas un moment de détente pour le Maître ; il s'efforçait néanmoins de convaincre également ces personnes.