The banquet at Simon's house

Jesus is invited to a banquet at the house of Simon the Pharisee. A young woman appears and throws herself at Jesus' feet. She is generally known for her sinful life and is therefore not welcome. So it is all the more surprising that she washes Jesus' feet, kisses them and rubs them with precious oil.

The Pharisees are astonished that Jesus turns to the sinner. Jesus explains that she really repents of her sins and that she wants to mend her ways, whereupon Jesus forgives her sins.

This leads to the protest of the Pharisees. For one cannot forgive sins just like that. Only God can do that, and what Jesus is doing here they see as blasphemy. The sinner is none other than Mary Magdalene.