Jesus is a guest in Simon’s house. Jesus might have won some endorsement for His ministry and gained much credibility with the crowds by an allegiance with such an important figure. In fact, Jesus had nothing to gain, and seemingly everything to lose by affirming the courageous devotion of this woman that we have studied over the past couple of days. Yet, He cannot and simply will not send her away. Her radical act of love touches His heart.

Note in verse 40 that “Jesus answered.” He answered whom? No one said anything. Everyone at the table sat there in gape-mouthed silence. Jesus, the omniscient Lord answered verbally what Simon had spoken mentally to himself. Jesus spoke to his thoughts.  

He said, “Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee.” Simon at least had some respect for Jesus because he refers to Him as “Master or teacher” and responds, “Say on.” You can almost hear him saying, “Please say something!”  

Next, Jesus did what He often did to explain in simple human terms something that is distinctly divine. He told a story, a parable, a common tale with a spiritual meaning. He described “a certain creditor which had two debtors.” One of them owed him “five hundred pence” and the other one owed only “fifty.” Keep in mind that a pence was equivalent to an average day’s pay. One man owed him approximately two years’ salary and the other only a little over a month’s wages. 

Can you even imagine this debt load? Sadly, many today have much debt. Tomorrow we will see what Jesus has to say to Simon about the debtor.