Single lesson
The Anointing at the Pharisee's House and the Two Debtors
Luke 7:36–40; Luke 7:44–50; Luke 7:41–43
Jesus is invited to a Pharisee’s house, where a woman comes to him with tears and ointment. In this lesson, children trace what happens, hear Jesus’ short parable, and connect it to his words about forgiveness and love.
Before you teach
This passage stays inside one meal at a Pharisee’s house. A woman anoints Jesus’ feet, the Pharisee questions what this means, and Jesus answers with a parable about two debtors. Then Jesus compares the woman’s actions with Simon’s actions and speaks to the woman about forgiveness, faith and peace.
Students will be able to explain that Jesus used the two debtors to show that the person forgiven much loves much.
Welcome: Notice the setting
5 minRead Luke 7:36-40 aloud. Help children picture the main people named in the passage: Jesus, Simon the Pharisee, and the woman. Ask them to listen for the problem that leads to Jesus’ parable. Point out that Simon thinks quietly to himself, yet Jesus answers him, which moves the story forward.
Luke 7:36, Luke 7:37, Luke 7:38, Luke 7:39, Luke 7:40
Read and explain: The woman’s actions and Simon’s question
7 minWalk through the woman’s actions in order. She brings ointment, stands behind Jesus at his feet, weeps, wets his feet with tears, wipes them with her hair, kisses his feet, and anoints them. Then explain Simon’s concern from the text: he says to himself that the woman is a sinner and questions Jesus because she touches him.
Luke 7:37, Luke 7:38, Luke 7:39
Discuss: The parable of the two debtors
6 minRead Luke 7:41-43. Explain that Jesus tells a short parable about two people who both owe money, one much more than the other. Neither can pay, and the lender forgives both. Ask children which debtor will love more. Show that Simon answers, ‘the one forgiven the most’, and Jesus says he judged correctly.
Luke 7:41, Luke 7:42, Luke 7:43
Make and respond: Compare the two responses
7 minRead Luke 7:44-47. On one side of a page, list what Simon did not do: no water, no kiss, no oil. On the other side, list what the woman did: tears on Jesus’ feet, wiping with her hair, kissing his feet, anointing with ointment. Explain that Jesus connects forgiveness and love in verse 47.
Luke 7:44, Luke 7:45, Luke 7:46, Luke 7:47
Closing: What Jesus says at the end
5 minFinish by reading Luke 7:48-50. Point out the exact words Jesus says to the woman: ‘Your sins are forgiven’ and ‘Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.’ Also notice the table guests ask who he is because he even forgives sins. End by restating the lesson goal in simple words.
Luke 7:48, Luke 7:49, Luke 7:50
Questions to explore
What in Simon’s thoughts shows why Jesus tells the parable?
Look at Simon’s private comment about the woman in Luke 7:39 and then notice that Jesus begins speaking in Luke 7:40.
Luke 7:39, Luke 7:40
In the parable, why do both debtors need forgiveness?
The passage says neither debtor could pay, so both depend on the lender’s mercy rather than their own ability.
Luke 7:41, Luke 7:42
How does Jesus compare Simon and the woman after the parable?
Listen for the repeated contrast between what Simon did not give and what the woman did continually for Jesus.
Luke 7:44, Luke 7:45, Luke 7:46, Luke 7:47
Make, think or respond
Two Sides Comparison Card
What you’ll need
- plain paper or cardboard
- pencils or markers
- small jar, cup or bottle to represent ointment
- Bible
Try it together
- Fold a sheet of paper in half.
- Label one side ‘Simon’ and the other side ‘The woman’.
- Read Luke 7:44-46 and draw or write the actions for each side.
- Add a small coin drawing on each side and write ‘50’ and ‘500’ to remember the two debtors from Luke 7:41-43.
- Use the card to retell how Jesus’ parable explains the woman’s loving actions.
This activity helps children compare the responses in the house and link them with Jesus’ parable about the two debtors.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, act out the sequence with simple hand motions for tears, wiping, kissing and anointing while an adult reads the verses.
- For older children, ask them to explain in one or two sentences how Luke 7:47 connects the parable in Luke 7:41-43 with the woman’s actions.
An optional closing prayer
You may pray: ‘Lord Jesus, thank you for this passage. Please help us understand your words about forgiveness, love and faith, and help us listen carefully to what you say.’
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Luke 7
36 One of the Pharisees invited him to eat with him. He entered into the Pharisee’s house and sat at the table.
37 Behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that he was reclining in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment.
38 Standing behind at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
39 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.”
40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” He said, “Teacher, say on.”
44 Turning to the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered into your house, and you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head.
45 You gave me no kiss, but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss my feet.
46 You didn’t anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.
47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”
48 He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
49 Those who sat at the table with him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
50 He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”
41 “A certain lender had two debtors. The one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.
42 When they couldn’t pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?”
43 Simon answered, “He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most.” He said to him, “You have judged correctly.”
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.
Source passages
Something to make together
These activities connect with the passage. Choose one that suits your group and the time you have.
