30
But the Pharisees and the experts in Moses' Teachings rejected God's plan for them. They refused to be baptized.
31
"How can I describe the people who are living now? What are they like?
32
They are like children who sit in the marketplace and shout to each other, 'We played music for you, but you didn't dance. We sang a funeral song, but you didn't cry.'
33
John the Baptizer has come neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'There's a demon in him!'
34
The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look at him! He's a glutton and a drunk, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'
35
"Yet, wisdom is proved right by all its results."
36
One of the Pharisees invited Jesus to eat with him. Jesus went to the Pharisee's house and was eating at the table.
37
A woman who lived a sinful life in that city found out that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house. So she took a bottle of perfume
38
and knelt at his feet. She was crying and washed his feet with her tears. Then she dried his feet with her hair, kissed them over and over again, and poured the perfume on them.
39
The Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this and thought, "If this man really were a prophet, he would know what sort of woman is touching him. She's a sinner."
40
Jesus spoke up, "Simon, I have something to say to you." Simon replied, "Teacher, you're free to speak."
41
[So Jesus said,] "Two men owed a moneylender some money. One owed him five hundred silver coins, and the other owed him fifty.
42
When they couldn't pay it back, he was kind enough to cancel their debts. Now, who do you think will love him the most?"
43
Simon answered, "I suppose the one who had the largest debt canceled." Jesus said to him, "You're right!"
44
Then, turning to the woman, he said to Simon, "You see this woman, don't you? I came into your house. You didn't wash my feet. But she has washed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair.
45
You didn't give me a kiss. But ever since I came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet.
46
You didn't put any olive oil on my head. But she has poured perfume on my feet.
47
That's why I'm telling you that her many sins have been forgiven. Her great love proves that. But whoever receives little forgiveness loves very little."
48
Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins have been forgiven."
49
The other guests thought, "Who is this man who even forgives sins?"
50
Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace!"