Bible Figure
Simon the Pharisee
Simon the Pharisee was a Pharisee who invited Jesus to eat with him. During the meal a woman known in the city as a sinner wept at Jesus' feet, anointed them, and received His assurance of forgiveness. Jesus used Simon's inward criticism to teach about forgiveness, love, and self-righteous judgment.
Biography
Luke 7 records that Simon, a Pharisee, invited Jesus to dine at his house. During the meal an unnamed woman with a sinful reputation entered, stood weeping behind Jesus, wet His feet with her tears, wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with perfume. Simon reasoned inwardly that if Jesus were truly a prophet He would know what kind of woman was touching Him. Jesus answered with a parable about two debtors who were both forgiven, asking which would love the creditor more. Simon correctly answered that the one forgiven more would love more. Jesus then contrasted the woman's acts of devotion with courtesies Simon had not provided and declared her sins forgiven, explaining that her great love reflected the forgiveness she had received. This Simon should not be automatically merged with Simon the Leper in the Bethany anointing accounts.
Biblical Significance
Simon the Pharisee serves as the counterpart in one of Jesus' clearest lessons about forgiveness and love. The episode exposes the danger of measuring others by social and religious reputation while failing to recognize one's own need for grace. Jesus' authority to forgive sins also becomes a central issue in the scene.