What is the meaning of Luke 7:39? When the Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this – Simon has welcomed Jesus to a formal meal (Luke 7:36), yet his hospitality lacks warmth, and he watches the woman’s devotion with cold scrutiny. – Like other Pharisees who “complained to His disciples, ‘Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?’” (Luke 5:30), he is more concerned with appearances than with mercy. – The scene recalls Mark 2:16, where religious leaders questioned Jesus’ table fellowship. Their pattern is consistent: external religion overshadowing love. He said to himself – Simon keeps his thoughts hidden, but “the LORD knows the thoughts of man” (Psalm 94:11). – Jesus, “aware of their reasoning” (Luke 5:22), will soon answer Simon aloud, proving His divine insight (cf. John 2:24-25). – What looks like a silent judgment in Simon’s heart becomes an occasion for Jesus to reveal both the man’s sin and the woman’s forgiveness. "If this man were a prophet" – Simon questions Jesus’ identity; prophetic status, in his mind, must include supernatural discernment (cf. 2 Kings 6:12). – Ironically, the one he doubts is the very Prophet promised in Deuteronomy 18:15 and hailed by the people in Luke 7:16. – The Samaritan woman recognized Jesus as a prophet because He knew her life (John 4:19), while Simon rejects Him because he thinks Jesus does not know. Unbelief blinds. He would know who this is and what kind of woman is touching Him – The Pharisee assumes contact with a morally stained person would defile a holy man (Leviticus 5:3). – Yet Jesus repeatedly allows the “unclean” to touch Him—lepers (Luke 5:12-13), the hemorrhaging woman (Luke 8:43-48)—and instead of becoming defiled, He makes them whole. – His knowledge is not lacking; He perceives both her past and her present faith, just as He knew Zacchaeus’ heart before speaking to him (Luke 19:1-10). For she is a sinner! – Simon labels her by her former life; Jesus will label her by her forgiven status (Luke 7:48-50). – Matthew 9:13 reminds us, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” The Pharisee chooses sacrifice; Christ extends mercy. – Romans 3:23 levels the ground: “for all have sinned.” Simon ignores his own need while spotlighting hers, a danger echoed in Luke 18:9-14, where another Pharisee exalts himself over a tax collector. summary Luke 7:39 exposes a heart-level contrast: religious pride versus repentant faith. Simon’s silent skepticism shows that proximity to Jesus is not the same as devotion. Believing the Scriptures literally, we see Jesus as the omniscient Prophet who knows every heart, welcomes the repentant, and transforms “sinners” into forgiven worshipers. The verse challenges us to lay aside judgment, recognize our own need of grace, and celebrate the Savior who knows us completely and loves us still. |
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