In Capernaum, a certain Pharisee named Simon invited Jesus to his house. During lunch a woman known throughout the district for her debauched way of life entered the room. In her hands there was an alabaster vessel with a precious fragrance. She stood silently next to him, then began to weep, then fell at His feet, washing them with her ointment and drying them with her loose hair.
Had she heard Jesus' words about forgiveness of sinners? Did she want to thank him fully for his charity toward those who had fallen? But this scene was quite an unpleasant shock for the host. "If this man were a prophet," the Pharisee thought fastidiously, "he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching Him." Meanwhile, Jesus penetrated into his thoughts.
"Simon, I have something to say to you."
"What is it, Teacher?"
"A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he forgave them both. Now which of them will love him more?"
'The one, I suppose, to whom he forgave more."
"You have judged rightly," answered Jesus, and explained the reason why He introduced this parable. He pointed out the difference between Simon, who considered himself beyond reproach, and for whom a discussion with Jesus was nothing more than a pretext for argument, and the woman who was aware of her fallen state. She had reached out for Him Who could forgive her and save her from her former life.
When Christ turned directly to the harlot with the words, "Your sins are forgiven," all present were even more indignant. This strange Prophet presented them with a new puzzle. After all, could anyone other than God remit sins? Where did this Nazarene get the right to speak with such authority?
But they would have been even more indignant had they heard how Jesus interpreted the sacred commandments of the Law.
