1. A sinful woman weeps at Jesus' feet (36-38)

Jesus was at the home of a Pharisee. A woman was there who had led a sinful life. She was at Jesus' feet, weeping. Perhaps she wept out of sorrow for her sinful life, or perhaps out of love for Jesus. For whatever reason, she wept in Jesus' presence. As she dried his feet with her hair, she poured perfume on him.

2. Who loves much will be forgiven much (39-50)

The Pharisee scoffed at the sinful woman and wondered how Jesus could let a woman like her touch him in this way. Jesus told a parable of two men, one of whom owed much money, the other a little. Both debts were forgiven. Jesus asked, "Now which of them will love him more?" The Pharisee answered correctly. The man who had been forgiven the larger debt! Then Jesus got to the point. The woman at Jesus' feet loved him much because she had been forgiven her many sins. The Pharisee did not love Jesus, because the Pharisee had not recognized his sin. Jesus then told the woman, "Your sins are forgiven. Your faith has saved you; go in peace."