Jesus Forgives a Woman

Chapter 23

A Pharisee (Pharisees were one group of Jewish leaders) asked the Savior to eat with him. Jesus went to his house and sat down. Luke 7:36

A woman who had many sins lived in the city. She knew that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, and she went there. Luke 7:37

Crying, she knelt at the Savior’s feet and washed them with her tears. Then she dried His feet with her hair and kissed them. She put sweet-smelling oil on them, too. The Pharisee watched her. He knew that she had many sins, and he thought that Jesus should not let her touch Him. Luke 7:38–39

The Savior knew what the Pharisee was thinking. Jesus pointed out that the woman had washed His feet with her tears, dried them with her hair, and put sweet-smelling oil on them. But the Pharisee had not given Him water to wash His feet, or oil to anoint His head, as was often done for guests. Luke 7:44–46

Jesus told the Pharisee that the woman had many sins but had repented of them. She loved the Savior very much and had faith in Him. He told the woman that her sins were forgiven, that she should not be sad anymore. Luke 7:47–50; D&C 58:42–43; Jesus the Christ, pages 262–263

Illustrated by Paul Mann