Topical Bible: Faith: Woman Who Was a Sinner

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The account of the "Woman Who Was a Sinner" is a profound narrative found in the Gospel of Luke, specifically in Luke 7:36-50. This account highlights themes of repentance, forgiveness, and faith, and it provides a powerful example of Jesus' compassion and the transformative power of faith.

Context and Setting

The event takes place in the house of Simon the Pharisee, where Jesus has been invited to dine. Pharisees were known for their strict adherence to the Law and often held a critical view of those they deemed sinners. The setting is significant as it contrasts the self-righteousness of the Pharisees with the humility and faith of the woman.

The Woman's Actions

The woman, described as a sinner, enters the Pharisee's house uninvited. Her actions are bold and demonstrate a deep sense of repentance and devotion. She brings an alabaster jar of perfume, stands behind Jesus at His feet weeping, and begins to wet His feet with her tears. She wipes them with her hair, kisses them, and anoints them with the perfume. This act of worship and humility is a stark contrast to the lack of customary hospitality shown by Simon the Pharisee.

Jesus' Response

Simon internally questions Jesus' prophetic insight, thinking that if Jesus were truly a prophet, He would know the sinful nature of the woman touching Him. Jesus, perceiving Simon's thoughts, tells a parable of two debtors, one who owed much and one who owed little. Both debts are forgiven, and Jesus asks Simon which debtor would love the creditor more. Simon answers correctly that the one forgiven more would love more.

Jesus then turns to the woman and acknowledges her actions, saying, "Therefore I tell you, because her many sins have been forgiven, she has loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little" (Luke 7:47). He further affirms her by declaring, "Your sins are forgiven" (Luke 7:48), and "Your faith has saved you; go in peace" (Luke 7:50).

Theological Significance

The narrative underscores the transformative power of faith and repentance. The woman's faith, expressed through her actions, leads to her forgiveness and salvation. Her account illustrates that forgiveness is available to all who come to Jesus in faith, regardless of their past. It also serves as a critique of self-righteousness, as exemplified by Simon the Pharisee, who fails to recognize his own need for forgiveness.

Lessons on Faith and Forgiveness

This account teaches that true faith is accompanied by humility and repentance. The woman's actions demonstrate a heart fully surrendered to Jesus, acknowledging Him as the source of forgiveness and peace. Her faith is not merely intellectual assent but is expressed through her love and devotion to Christ.

The account of the "Woman Who Was a Sinner" remains a powerful testament to the grace and mercy of Jesus, who welcomes and forgives those who come to Him in faith, regardless of their past sins. It challenges believers to examine their own hearts, to recognize their need for forgiveness, and to respond to Jesus with the same love and devotion demonstrated by the woman.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 7:50
And he said to the woman, Your faith has saved you; go in peace.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Concerning the Centurion's Faith the Raising of the Widow's Son. ...
... Chapter XVIII."Concerning the Centurion's Faith The Raising of the Widow's Son.
John Baptist, and His Message to Christ; And the Woman Who Was a Sinner. ...
/.../chapter xviii concerning the centurions faith.htm

The Woman which was a Sinner
... been,' or was' up to that day, a sinner,' [2703] in ... than the flask of foliatum,'
so common among Jewish woman. ... And, now that her faith had grown bold in His ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxi the woman which.htm

Christ Forgives the Magdalen at the House of Simon the Pharisee. ...
... the Divine love that met her kindled the spark in her own heart; and she rose, by
the living faith of love ... In the one the woman is an awakened sinner; in the ...
/.../section 140 christ forgives the.htm

Rahab's Faith
... Faith and self-denial, like the Siamese twins, are born together, and must live
together, and the food that nourisheth ... But this woman, poor sinner as she ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/rahabs faith.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke vii. 37, "And Behold, a Woman who ...
... also?" Who is this, whom the woman who was a sinner already knew ... at the table, heard
their thoughts, and turning to the woman, He said, "Thy faith hath made ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xlix on the words.htm

Saving Faith
... than this woman who was a sinner. Yet for all that Jesus did not say to her, "Thy
love hath saved thee." Love is a golden apple of the tree of which faith is ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 20 1874/saving faith.htm

Whether the Sinner Sins in Receiving Christ's Body Sacramentally?
... yet I am not hereby justified." Therefore, the sinner, if he ... by the glory of the
Resurrection, he forbade the woman to touch Him, for her faith in Him ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the sinner sins in.htm

Go into Peace
... the words were addressed to women: once to this woman, who was a sinner, and who
was ... there is a very remarkable connection hinted at between faith and peace ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/go into peace.htm

The Perseverance of Faith
... When an old sinner says, "I believe that his precious blood can take away the sin
of seventy or eighty years;" the ... "O woman," said he, "great is thy faith!". ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/the perseverance of faith.htm

Rahab
... III. Faith in its relation to the previous life. ... In her story we have an anticipation
of New Testament teaching. The 'woman that was a sinner.'. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/rahab.htm