Matthew Henry Commentary Luke 7:36-50

"And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he entered into the Pharisee`s house, and sat down to meat. And behold, a woman who was in the city, a sinner; and when she knew that he was sitting at meat in the Pharisee`s house, she brought an alabaster cruse of ointment, and standing behind at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 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. And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Teacher, say on. A certain lender had two debtors: the one owed five hundred shillings, and the other fifty. When they had not [wherewith] to pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most? Simon answered and said, He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. And turning to the woman, he said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thy house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath wetted my feet with her tears, and wiped them with her hair. Thou gavest me no kiss: but she, since the time I came in, hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but she 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 even forgiveth sins? And he said unto the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace." — Luke 7:36-50 (ASV)

No one can truly perceive how precious Christ is, and the glory of the gospel, except the broken-hearted. But while they feel they cannot express enough self-abhorrence on account of sin, and admiration for His mercy, the self-sufficient will be disgusted because the gospel encourages such repentant sinners. The Pharisee, instead of rejoicing in the signs of the woman's repentance, confined his thoughts to her former bad character. But without free forgiveness, none of us can escape the wrath to come; this our gracious Saviour has purchased with His blood, so that He may freely bestow it on everyone who believes in Him.

Christ, by a parable, forced Simon to acknowledge that the more sinful this woman had been, the greater love she ought to show to Him when her sins were pardoned. Learn here that sin is a debt; and all sinners are debtors to Almighty God. Some sinners are greater debtors; but whether our debt is more or less, it is more than we are able to pay. God is ready to forgive; and His Son, having purchased pardon for those who believe in Him, His gospel promises it to them, and His Spirit seals it to repentant sinners and gives them comfort.

Let us keep far from the proud spirit of the Pharisee, simply depending on and rejoicing in Christ alone, and so be prepared to obey Him more zealously and to recommend Him more strongly to all around us. The more we express our sorrow for sin and our love for Christ, the clearer evidence we have of the forgiveness of our sins. What a wonderful change does grace make in a sinner's heart and life, as well as in his state before God, by the full remission of all his sins through faith in the Lord Jesus!