Gospel in Art: Jesus went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at table

Christ in the House of Simon, by Dieric Bouts the Elder, 1440 © Staatliche Museen, Berlin

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 18 September 2025
Luke 7:36-50

At that time: One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, 'If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.' And Jesus answering said to him, 'Simon, I have something to say to you.' And he answered, 'Say it, Teacher.'

'A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?' Simon answered, 'The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.' And he said to him, 'You have judged rightly.' Then turning towards the woman he said to Simon, 'Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven - for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.' And he said to her, 'Your sins are forgiven.' Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, 'Who is this, who even forgives sins?' And he said to the woman, 'Your faith has saved you; go in peace.'

Reflection on the painting

Today's Gospel presents one of the most unforgettable moments in all of Scripture. In the middle of a meal to which Jesus had been invited, a woman suddenly enters uninvited. Overcome with emotion, she begins to weep so intensely that her tears fall onto Jesus' feet. With remarkable tenderness she wipes them away with her hair, kisses His feet repeatedly, and pours out costly ointment from the alabaster jar she has brought with her. It is, by any measure, a dramatic and extravagant display! To the Pharisee hosting the meal, her behaviour was shocking and improper, especially since she was known in the town as a sinner.

Yet Jesus sees not scandal but love. He understands that her unconventional actions are the outpouring of a heart that has already tasted God's mercy through Him. Her gestures are gratitude embodied. Love in response to love. She had received forgiveness, and in return she now gives everything. Isn't this absolutely beautiful. The Pharisee, who had not encountered God's mercy in the same way, could not comprehend such devotion. This woman's act is a reminder to us all: we give to the Lord only because He has first given to us. Our loving service flows from the prior gift of His unconditional love. Before the command to love one another comes the invitation to receive Christ's love into our own hearts.

Our Flemish painting by Dieric Bouts, circa 1440, depicts the scene of today. In a narrow, vaulted interior, we see Simon the Pharisee sitting at a table with his guests, the meal already set before them. To the left, the woman known as a sinner kneels low, anointing the feet of Jesus with devotion. Simon (the only figure shown wearing shoes) watches the scene intently, his expression filled with disapproval, while Peter, seated beside him, looks on in astonishment. At the head of the table, the youthful John gestures as if to draw the attention of the kneeling Dominican donor to what is taking place. The donor who commissioned the painting, however, averts his gaze, hands lifted in prayer, as though overwhelmed by the holiness of the moment.

The arrangement of figures around the meal recalls other familiar scenes from Christ's life: the Last Supper and the supper at Emmaus. The table is set with bread, wine, and fish, also alluding the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and the fish. Artists often expanded one narrative into other narratives.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-7-36-50-2025/