Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: September 12, 2004
“She Loved Much”
Ben Justice
Jesus was anointed by two women, as recorded by the gospel writers. One anointing was rendered by Mary of
Bethany (Matt. 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-8). The other anointing was rendered by a woman who was
characterized as “a sinner.” It is this anointing that I wish to focus upon. The record is found in Luke 7:36-
50. It was upon this anointing that Jesus taught some lessons on service and forgiveness.
A Pharisee desired Jesus to eat with him. Jesus accepted the invitation (Luke 7:36). As v. 40 reveals, there
were apparently many people at this gathering. Verses 37-38 state, “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,
(38) 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.” This woman did several different
things to Jesus:
1.) She washed his feet with tears.
2.) She wiped his feet with her hair.
3.) She kissed his feet.
4.) She anointed his feet with ointment.
The three Greek verbs are in the imperfect tense — “kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing
His feet, and anointing them with perfume” (Ralph Earle, Word Meanings In The New Testament, Pg. 61).
The NASB brings out the tenses of the verbs. This woman was expressing her love to Jesus.
The Pharisee 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 toucheth him: for she is a sinner” (v. 39). The omniscient Jesus knew the
thoughts of this Pharisee. The Pharisee’s name is given in v. 40. It was “Simon.” “Simon” was a very
common name. Jesus spoke a little parable to Simon in v. 41-42. Jesus said, “There was a certain creditor
which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. (42) And when they had nothing to
pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?” Instead of “pence” other
translations have “denarii.” The term “pence” is from the Greek word denarion. This was a Roman coin.
One denarii was the equivalent to the rate of wages for a day’s work. “Five hundred” pence that was owed by
one amounted to a hefty sum of money. As the text reveals, neither of them was able to pay. Out of
compassion, kindness, benevolence, and sympathy, the creditor forgave them both of the debt. So, Jesus
asked Simon, “Which of them will love him most?”
In v. 43, Simon answered and said, “I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most.” Jesus responded by saying,
“Thou hast rightly judged.” It was at this point that Jesus was bringing the arrogant Pharisee down to a more
humble state.
Next, Jesus turned to the woman. However, he was still speaking to Simon. Jesus lays it bear for Simon.
He said to him, “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. (45) Thou gavest me no kiss: but this
woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. (46) My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this
woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. (47) 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 (48) And he said unto her, Thy sins are
forgiven.” It was then that those present said within themselves, “Who is this that forgiveth sins also?” (v. 49). This
is when Jesus said to the woman, “Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”
Note the expression used by Jesus: “She loved much.” The Greek word for “loved” is the very rich word
agapao. This is the kind of love that is always expressed in action. What all does this expression entail?
Note the following points:
1.) Her love was seen in her service to the Lord (v. 38). Simon’s deeds were contrasted with those of the
woman. Simon had invited Jesus into his home, but was an inconsiderate host. I like what one writer said:
“Many, like Simon, invite Jesus into their lives, then turn out to be bad hosts” (Bobby Liddell, “The Mercy Of
The Saviour,” Fifth Annual Firm Foundation Lectureship — Luke, William S. Cline — Editor, Pg. 182). In
principle, this can certainly apply to those who put Jesus on in baptism. How many turn out to be bad hosts?
2.) Her faith was proof of her love. “Love” is the foundational attribute. It is the quality from out of which
all other qualities grow. This is why Paul said in I Cor. 13:13, “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these
three; but the greatest of these is charity.” Faith is always demonstrated in action in the Bible. Faith
without works is dead (James 2:26). This woman’s love for Jesus moved her to exercise her faith in Jesus in
serving him. The same is true today.
3.) This woman’s love was see in her penitence. She “stood at his feet behind him weeping.” “Weeping” is a
sign of remorse and contriteness. When Peter realized that he had denied his Lord three times, “he went
out, and wept bitterly” (Matt. 26:75). If we really love Jesus, then at times we will see the need to weep over
our sinful condition. This woman did.
The kind of “peace” Jesus spoke about (v. 50) is spiritual peace. It is the peace that comes in knowing
forgiveness. It is the peace that “passeth all understanding,” and “shall keep your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7). The gospel is described as “the gospel of peace” (Rom. 10:15). This is because
those who embrace the gospel will have spiritual and inner peace. This woman embraced Christ and as a
result enjoyed spiritual peace in her life. Only the gospel of Christ can bring about true and everlasting
peace. May we embrace it fully all the days of our lives.