Hello, my wonderful young friends! Today I want to share with you the fascinating story of "Simon the Pharisee" and an unexpected guest who crashed his dinner party. This powerful encounter between Jesus, a religious leader, and a woman with a bad reputation teaches us important lessons about true worship, forgiveness, and how God sees our hearts rather than our outward appearance.

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Where Does Jesus Live?

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In this story from Luke's Gospel, we'll discover how Jesus responded to both Simon's judgment and the woman's extravagant display of love. We'll see how quickly Simon formed opinions about others without understanding their hearts, while Jesus showed compassion to someone society had rejected. Through this remarkable dinner party interaction, Jesus challenges us to examine our own attitudes about forgiveness, love, and how we treat people whose backgrounds differ from our own.

Simon the Pharisee

Chapter 1: An Important Invitation

In the bustling town of Capernaum, an important religious leader named Simon the Pharisee decided to invite Jesus to dinner at his home. The Pharisees were respected religious leaders who carefully followed Jewish laws and traditions. They studied Scripture diligently and were considered experts in religious matters.

The Bible tells us in Luke 7:36, "When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table."

Simon may have had different reasons for inviting Jesus. Perhaps he was curious about this popular teacher whose miracles were causing such a stir throughout the region. Maybe he wanted to impress his friends by hosting this famous guest. Or possibly, Simon genuinely wanted to learn more about Jesus' teachings, though he remained skeptical about whether Jesus could truly be sent from God.

Whatever his reasons, Simon prepared his home for this special dinner. In those days, people didn't sit in chairs around a table as we do. Instead, they reclined on low couches around a low table, leaning on one elbow with their feet stretched out behind them. This style of dining was common for special meals and allowed guests to relax while eating and conversing.

Simon likely invited other important people as well – fellow Pharisees and community leaders who would be impressed by his important guest. Little did Simon know that his carefully planned dinner party was about to be interrupted in a way he never expected!

Chapter 2: Missing Hospitality

As Jesus arrived at Simon's house, something unusual happened – or rather, didn't happen. Simon failed to provide the customary acts of hospitality that hosts normally offered their guests in that culture.

Though not mentioned directly in this part of the story, Jesus later points out these omissions when He says 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. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet" (Luke 7:44-46).

These three gestures – washing a guest's feet, greeting them with a kiss, and anointing their head with oil – were standard practices when welcoming an honored guest into your home in ancient Israel.

Washing feet was practical as well as hospitable. People wore sandals on dusty roads, so their feet would be dirty upon arrival. A considerate host would offer water for guests to wash their feet or have a servant wash them.

A kiss of greeting – usually on the cheek or hand – showed respect and welcome. And anointing a guest's head with a small amount of fragrant oil was a sign of honor and refreshment.

Simon provided none of these courtesies to Jesus. This suggests that while Simon was curious enough about Jesus to invite Him to dinner, he didn't truly honor Him as an important guest. Simon's attitude seemed to be one of cautious observation rather than warm welcome.

Chapter 3: An Unexpected Guest

As the dinner party progressed, something extraordinary and shocking happened. An uninvited guest entered Simon's house – a woman known in town for her sinful lifestyle.

The Bible describes her entrance this way: "A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume" (Luke 7:37).

In those days, homes were often left open during dinners, allowing people from the community to stand around the walls and listen to the conversation of the dinner guests. But this woman didn't just stand quietly observing – she approached Jesus directly.

The Scripture doesn't tell us her name, only that she was known as a "sinful woman." This likely meant she had a reputation for immoral behavior that caused respectable people to avoid her. Perhaps she had heard Jesus teach about God's forgiveness and love. Maybe she had already begun to change her life after encountering Jesus' message. Whatever her background, she was determined to express her gratitude and love to Jesus, no matter what others might think.

She brought with her an alabaster jar of perfume – a valuable possession. Alabaster was a beautiful, translucent stone used to create containers for expensive perfumes and ointments. The perfume inside was likely worth a considerable amount of money, perhaps representing her life savings or a cherished possession.

Her entrance into Simon's house would have caused immediate tension. Respectable women didn't attend men's dinner parties uninvited, and certainly not women with her reputation. The other guests must have been shocked by her boldness and wondered how Simon would handle this intrusion.

Chapter 4: Tears of Gratitude

As the woman approached Jesus, something unexpected happened. She was overcome with emotion and began to weep.

"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, loosened her hair and poured perfume on them" (Luke 7:38).

This was an extraordinary display of emotion and devotion. In that culture, respectable women kept their hair bound up in public. Loosening her hair to wipe Jesus' feet was an act of tremendous humility and intimate devotion.

Her tears weren't tears of sadness but of gratitude and love. Perhaps she had already experienced Jesus' forgiveness or had heard His teachings about God's love for sinners. Whatever her background, she clearly saw in Jesus someone worthy of her most precious possession and her most vulnerable display of devotion.

Notice the progression of her actions – each step showing deeper commitment:

• First, she stood behind Jesus, weeping.
• Then, she knelt to wet His feet with her tears.
• Next, she wiped His feet with her hair – a deeply humble act.
• Finally, she poured her expensive perfume on His feet – giving her most valuable possession.

Each of these actions would have shocked the dinner guests. They were intimate, emotional, and far outside the boundaries of proper behavior at a formal dinner. Yet the woman seemed completely unconcerned with social expectations or the judgment of others. Her focus was entirely on expressing her love and gratitude to Jesus.

Chapter 5: Simon's Silent Judgment

While the woman continued her emotional display at Jesus' feet, Simon was watching with disapproval. Though he didn't speak his thoughts aloud, his mind was busy making judgments about both the woman and Jesus.

"When 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'" (Luke 7:39).

Simon's judgment was twofold. First, he condemned the woman based on her past, believing she was unworthy to touch a holy man. Second, he doubted Jesus' spiritual insight, reasoning that a true prophet would recognize the woman's sinful status and reject her touch.

In Simon's mind, the woman's past defined who she was permanently. He saw her only as "a sinner," not as someone who could change or be forgiven. And he assumed Jesus should share his judgment – that holiness meant separation from sinners rather than compassion toward them.

Simon didn't speak these thoughts aloud, but he didn't need to. Jesus knew exactly what Simon was thinking. This would soon provide Jesus with a perfect teaching moment – not only for Simon but for everyone at the dinner.

Simon's attitude reveals a common human tendency – judging others based on their reputation or past mistakes while failing to see their current heart condition. He couldn't see the love and repentance in the woman's actions because he was too focused on who she had been rather than who she was becoming.

Chapter 6: Jesus Tells a Story

Jesus, knowing Simon's thoughts, decided to address them with a parable – a short story with a spiritual lesson. But first, He got Simon's attention.

"Jesus answered him, 'Simon, I have something to tell you.' 'Tell me, teacher,' he said" (Luke 7:40).

Simon might have been surprised that Jesus addressed him directly, perhaps even startled that Jesus knew what he had been thinking. Nevertheless, Simon showed respect by calling Jesus "teacher" and expressing willingness to listen.

Jesus then told this story: "'Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?'" (Luke 7:41-42).

A denarius was approximately a day's wage for a laborer. So one debtor owed about a year and a half of wages (500 denarii), while the other owed about two months' wages (50 denarii). Both debts were significant, though one was ten times larger than the other.

The key point of the story is that neither debtor could repay what they owed. Regardless of the size of their debt, both were equally bankrupt before the moneylender. And remarkably, instead of punishing them or demanding payment, the moneylender forgave both debts completely.

Jesus then asked Simon a straightforward question: Which debtor would love the moneylender more?

Simon answered correctly: "'I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.' 'You have judged correctly,' Jesus said" (Luke 7:43).

With this simple parable, Jesus was preparing to help Simon understand both the woman's actions and his own heart. The story established an important principle: Gratitude and love often correspond to the amount of forgiveness received – or at least to one's awareness of how much they've been forgiven.

Chapter 7: A Lesson in Love

After Simon answered correctly, Jesus used the moment to draw a powerful contrast between Simon's behavior as host and the woman's actions of devotion. Turning toward the woman while still speaking to Simon, Jesus began pointing out what Simon had failed to see.

"Then 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. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet'" (Luke 7:44-46).

Jesus' question – "Do you see this woman?" – was profound. Of course, Simon had noticed her presence, but he hadn't truly seen her. He had seen only her reputation, her past, her label as a "sinner." Jesus was asking Simon to look beyond those things to see her heart, her actions, her love.

Then Jesus highlighted the striking contrast:

• Simon provided no water for Jesus' feet – a basic courtesy.
  The woman washed His feet with her tears and dried them with her hair – an extraordinary act of devotion.
• Simon gave no kiss of greeting – a standard welcome.
  The woman hadn't stopped kissing Jesus' feet – showing tremendous reverence.
• Simon didn't anoint Jesus' head with ordinary oil – a common gesture of honor.
  The woman poured expensive perfume on Jesus' feet – an extravagant gift.

In every comparison, the "sinful" woman's actions demonstrated far greater honor, love, and respect for Jesus than the "righteous" Pharisee had shown. The contrast couldn't have been more clear. The woman Jesus described was not defined by her past but by her present actions of love and devotion.

Jesus then delivered the parable's application: "Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little" (Luke 7:47).

This statement connected the parable directly to the situation. The woman's extravagant love demonstrated that she had experienced great forgiveness. Simon's minimal show of love suggested he didn't recognize his own need for forgiveness.

Chapter 8: Forgiveness and Peace

After addressing Simon, Jesus spoke directly to the woman for the first time. His words were simple but life-changing:

"Then Jesus said to her, 'Your sins are forgiven.' The other guests began to say among themselves, 'Who is this who even forgives sins?' Jesus said to the woman, 'Your faith has saved you; go in peace'" (Luke 7:48-50).

With divine authority, Jesus pronounced her forgiven. This shocked the other guests. In their understanding, only God could forgive sins. By declaring her forgiven, Jesus was making an implicit claim to divine authority.

The guests' question – "Who is this who even forgives sins?" – is the central question of the story and indeed of the Gospels. Jesus' authority to forgive sins pointed to His identity as more than just a teacher or prophet.

Jesus' final words to the woman added another important dimension. He told her, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." Her salvation wasn't just about having her sins forgiven; it resulted in peace – peace with God, peace within herself, perhaps even a measure of peace with her community as she began a new life.

Jesus didn't mention the woman's past sins specifically or tell her to change her behavior. Her actions had already demonstrated her changed heart. Instead, He confirmed her forgiveness, acknowledged her faith, and sent her forward into a new life characterized by peace.

The dinner at Simon's house ended very differently than it began. Simon had invited Jesus to his home probably wanting to evaluate Him. Instead, Jesus evaluated Simon, gently exposing his lack of love and his judgmental attitude. The uninvited guest – a woman with a sinful past – received the greatest gift: forgiveness, salvation, and peace.

This story powerfully illustrates how Jesus turns social expectations upside down. The respectable religious leader missed the opportunity to truly connect with Jesus, while the socially rejected sinner found complete acceptance and a new beginning.

What Can We Learn from This Story?

1. God sees our hearts, not just our outward appearance - While Simon judged the woman based on her reputation, Jesus saw her heart and her sincere love. God looks beyond our social status, past mistakes, or how others view us.
2. Recognizing our need for forgiveness leads to greater love - The woman's extravagant love came from her awareness of how much she had been forgiven. When we truly understand our own need for God's forgiveness, we respond with deep gratitude and love.
3. Jesus welcomes those whom society rejects - Jesus didn't turn away the "sinful woman" but accepted her worship and publicly affirmed her. No one is too sinful or too far gone for God's love and forgiveness.
4. Religious knowledge without love misses the point - Simon knew the Scriptures and religious laws, but he lacked love for Jesus and compassion for others. True spirituality combines both knowledge and love.
5. Forgiveness leads to peace - Jesus sent the woman away with peace, showing that God's forgiveness doesn't just erase past guilt but provides a foundation for a new life of wholeness and well-being.

Fun Activities for Kids

1. Fragrant Thank You Notes
   Create scented "thank you" cards by adding a drop of perfume or essential oil to paper. Have children write or draw pictures showing things they want to thank Jesus for, just as the woman showed her thankfulness through perfume. Discuss how we can show our gratitude to Jesus through our actions. As gotquestions.org notes, "The sinful woman's actions were motivated by profound gratitude for the forgiveness she had received."
2. Forgiveness Wash
   Fill a bowl with water and give each child a washable marker. Have them make a mark on their hand representing something they've done wrong. Talk about how Jesus forgives our sins, then let them wash the mark away in the water. Discuss how the woman washed Jesus' feet with her tears of gratitude for forgiveness, and how we can live with clean hearts because of Jesus' forgiveness.
3. Two Debtors Game
   Create paper "coins" labeled with different values (50 and 500). Divide children into two groups - one group gets 50-value coins, the other gets 500-value coins. Tell them they need to "repay a debt" by completing a task, but make the task impossible to complete in the time given. Then announce, "Your debt is forgiven!" Discuss how both groups were equally unable to pay their debt, just like in Jesus' parable, and how God's forgiveness is a gift we could never earn.
4. Welcome Practice
   Role-play different ways to make guests feel welcome (greeting them warmly, offering them something to drink, showing them where to sit, etc.). Talk about how Simon didn't welcome Jesus properly, but the woman showed great love. Discuss how we can make people feel welcome in our homes, schools, and churches.
5. Heart Glasses Craft
   Make "heart glasses" from pipe cleaners and heart-shaped paper. When children wear them, remind them that these glasses help us "see with Jesus' eyes" - seeing people's hearts rather than judging by outward appearances or past mistakes. Talk about how Jesus saw the woman's heart of love when others only saw her past.

If you enjoyed learning about "Simon the Pharisee," I think you'll also love exploring "Zacchaeus the Tax Collector"! This exciting story tells how Jesus noticed a short man who had climbed a tree just to catch a glimpse of Him. Even though Zacchaeus was disliked by everyone because he collected taxes unfairly, Jesus invited Himself to Zacchaeus's house! This unexpected friendship completely changed Zacchaeus's heart, leading him to give half his possessions to the poor and repay everyone he had cheated. Check it out next time to discover another wonderful example of how Jesus loves and transforms even those whom society rejects!