Charles Spurgeon Commentary Luke 7:39

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

Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, –

Well, what did he say? I think that, if some of us, taught by God and let into the secret of eternal love, had been there, we would have whispered to one another, "What a change has been worked in that woman! There she is, weeping, and washing the Savior's feet, when, just the other day, she was standing at the corners of the streets, in the attire of a harlot, plying her accursed trade."

How greatly we would have rejoiced to see her! But it is only grace that teaches us to rejoice over even one sinner who repents, and Simon the Pharisee appeared to know little or nothing of grace.

He had, however, the good manners not to say aloud what he thought, but he spake within himself, saying, –

Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he spoke within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that touches him; for she is a sinner.

She is a sinner, and does he let her touch him, and kiss his feet, and show such tokens of affection? What man must he be who allows a harlot's kiss, even though it is upon his feet? Ah! poor foolish Pharisee! He judged according to the sight of the eye, or else he might have known that the best of men would never be angry at a harlot's tears, for the tears of repentance, come from whatever heart they may, are always like diamonds in the esteem of you who judges rightly.

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.

Yet "this man" was a prophet, and he did know "who and what manner of woman" that was who touched him. More than that, he knew what manner of woman his grace had made her, and how true, how pure, was the love which she was then manifesting to him; and he knew how deep was her repentance, how changed her heart, how renewed her entire life was. He knew all about her, but poor Simon could not know "this woman" as Christ knew her.

Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself—

He did not like to say it in so many words, but he spoke loudly enough for himself to hear it, and for Christ to hear it, too.