Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
Parallel translations
- WEB Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what kind of woman this is who touches him, that she is a sinner.”
- BSB When the Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, He would know who this is and what kind of woman is touching Him—for she is a sinner!”
- NKJV Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.”
- NASB Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, “If this Man were a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner!”
- NLT When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Simon silently doubts Jesus' prophetic standing, reasoning a true prophet would know the woman is a sinner. His self-righteous judgment misses both her repentance and Jesus' insight.
Overview
Simon assumes Jesus' acceptance of the woman proves He is no prophet, revealing his contempt for her and his blindness to grace. Ironically, Jesus knows not only the woman's heart but Simon's unspoken thoughts. The Pharisee's cold judgment sets up Jesus' lesson that those forgiven much love much.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 22
- Luke 7:16And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.
- Luke 15:2And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
- Prov 23:7For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
- Isa 65:5Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.
- Mark 7:21For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
- John 7:47–52Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?
- Luke 18:4And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
- Matt 9:12–13But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
- John 4:19The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.
- John 9:24Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.
- John 7:12And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.
- 2 Kgs 5:20But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.
- Luke 7:37And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,
- Luke 16:3Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.
- Luke 3:8Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
- Luke 18:9–11And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
- Mark 2:6–7But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,
- Matt 21:28–31But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.
- Luke 12:17And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
- John 7:40–41Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.
- Matt 20:16So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
- Luke 15:28–30And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
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Christ at the center
Luke shows Jesus the Savior for all — outsiders, the poor, the nations — the one who, on the Emmaus road, opened all the Scriptures to show they were about himself.
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Original language
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