Simon did not discern the application which Jesus designed to make, but he answered him, “I suppose that he to whom he forgave most.” Jesus replied, “Thou hast rightly judged.” This answer condemned Simon. He had been a great sinner, and also a loathsome leper, avoided by all. He had come to Jesus piteously imploring his help, and He who never turned a deaf ear to human woe, had cleansed him from sin and from the terrible disease that was upon him. Simon was humbled, but he had been a proud Pharisee, and he did not look upon himself as being so great a sinner as he really was, and he had now become self-sufficient and lifted up in his own estimation. He had exalted himself as far superior to the poor woman who anointed the feet of her Lord. In entertaining Jesus at his house, he thought he was paying him marked respect; but the Saviour was lowered in his estimation when he permitted the devotion of Mary, who had been so great a sinner. He overlooked the miracle which Jesus had wrought upon him in saving him from a living death, and coldly reasoned with himself if Jesus could be the Messiah, and yet stoop to receive the gift of this woman. He thought that if he were the Christ, he would know that a sinner had approached him and repel her. He did not realize that he himself had been a greater sinner than she, and that Christ had forgiven him as well as Mary. He was ready to doubt the divine character of his Master because he imagined that he detected in him a want of discernment. {2SP 380.2}

Simon forstod ikke, hvorledes Jesus anvende lignelsen; men han svarer ham: "Jeg tænker den, som han eftergav mest." Jesus svarede: "Du dømte rigtigt." Dette svar fordømte Simon. Han havde været en stor synder og tillige en væmmelig spedalsk, som alle undgik. Han var kommet til Jesus og havde ynkelig bedt om hjælp, og han, som aldrig vendte sig bort fra menneskelig elendighed. Havde renset ham fra synd og fra den forfærdelige sygdom, som han led af. Simon havde ydmyget sig noget; men han havde været en stolt farisæer, og han betragtede ikke sig selv som så (381) stor en synder, som han virkelig var, og han var nu blevet selvtilfreds og ophøjet i sine egne øjne. Han mente, at han var meget bedre end den stakkels kvinde, som salvede sin herres fødder. Idet han holdt gæstebud for Jesus, mente han, at han viste ham stor ære; men hans agtelse for Frelseren formindskedes, da Jesus tog imod Marias æresbevisning, skønt hun havde været en så stor synderinde. Han glemte det mirakel, som Jesus havde udført for ham, idet han frelste ham fra en levende død, og tænkte koldt ved sig selv: mon Jesus kunne være Messias, når han nedlod sig til at modtage en gave af denne kvinde? Han syntes, at dersom han var Kristus, så vidste han, at det var en synderinde, som nærmede sig til ham, og han ville derfor støde hende bort. Han tænkte ikke på, at han selv havde været en større synder end hun, og at Kristus havde tilgivet ham ligeså vel som Maria. Han drog virkelige sin mesters guddommelige karakter i tvivl, fordi han mente, at han havde opdaget en mangel på indsigt hos ham.