XII. SIMON the Pharisee, with whom Jesus dined, after he had raised the Child of the Widow of Nain1. While he was at Table with Simon, a Woman of the Town, who was noted for her ill Life, enter’d into the Room, and pour’d out a Box of Perfume on the Feet of Jesus, wiped them with her Hair, washed them with her Tears, and did not cease to kiss them all the Time he was at Table. Simon seeing this, said within himself; 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. Jesus knowing his Thoughts, said to him; 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 made answer; I suppose that he to whom he forgave most. Jesus replied; Thou hast rightly judged. Then turning towards the Woman, he made it appear, that she had done much more for him than Simon, and thus concludes; 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. Jesus had a mind to point out Simon, and those that are like him, under the Character of those to whom little is forgiven, and who love but little.
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Footnotes
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Luke vii. ↩