Simon the Pharisee
Biblical Profile
Simon the Pharisee invited Jesus to dinner—motivation unclear. Perhaps curiosity, perhaps testing, perhaps genuine interest. What happened at that meal exposed his heart.
As Jesus reclined at the table, a "sinful woman" entered uninvited. She stood behind Jesus at His feet, weeping. Her tears fell on His feet; she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and poured expensive perfume on them.
Simon's reaction was internal but Jesus perceived it: "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner." Simon assumed Jesus was either ignorant or compromised.
Jesus responded with a parable: two debtors, one owing fifty denarii, the other five hundred. The creditor cancelled both debts. "Which will love him more?" Simon answered correctly: "The one who had the bigger debt."
Then came the exposure. Jesus contrasted Simon's hospitality with the woman's devotion: "You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears. You did not give me a kiss, but she has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet."
The conclusion was devastating: "Her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little."
Simon had been a negligent host. The "sinner" had shown extravagant love.
Theological Significance
Simon illustrates how self-righteousness blocks gratitude. He didn't feel he needed much forgiveness, so he loved little.
The woman's love flowed from forgiveness received. Her actions weren't earning forgiveness—they demonstrated her awareness of having been forgiven.
Jesus' public teaching in Simon's house shows He wasn't intimidated by Pharisaic settings. He addressed their failures directly, using their own hospitality failures as evidence.
Scripture References
FAQ
Who was Simon the Pharisee?expand_more
A Pharisee who hosted Jesus for dinner and was taught about forgiveness through a sinful woman's actions.
What did Jesus teach him?expand_more
That those forgiven much love much. Simon's minimal hospitality showed his small sense of needing forgiveness.
How did Simon fail as a host?expand_more
He neglected basic courtesies—water for feet, a greeting kiss, oil for the head—that the sinful woman provided lavishly.
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