Neville Goddard on Luke 7:36-50 - Mystical Bible Interpretation

Read Luke 7 in context

Scripture Focus

36And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.

37And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,

38And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

39Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

40And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.

41There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.

42And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?

43Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

44And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.

45Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.

46My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.

47Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

48And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

49And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?

50And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

Luke 7:36-50

Biblical Context

In Luke 7:36-50, Jesus is hosted by a Pharisee; a sinful woman anoints his feet with tears and ointment. Jesus forgives her sins, teaching that true forgiveness arises from inner faith and love, not outward show, and the freed heart goes in peace.

Neville's Inner Vision

Within Luke 7, the Pharisee’s house is your surface mind; the woman is the hidden ache yearning to be loved. Jesus’ reply reveals that the inner I AM forgives first, and love follows as natural fruit. The two debtors symbolize two states of consciousness—one who perceives little to forgive and the other who feels overwhelmed by debts—yet grace reconciles them both. When the penitent woman washes his feet with tears and anoints them, she embodies the cleansing of a stale self-belief by the living awareness; her tears, hair, and kiss signify surrender to the Truth that never condemns. The remark, 'thy sins are forgiven,' expresses a fundamental fact: when you awaken to your true being, guilt dissolves and love becomes your native language. Faith here is trust in the present I AM, not a future act; to whom little is forgiven loves little because they still measure themselves. The scene closes with the invitation to peace: the soul that remembers its divine origin walks in quiet assurance. Your inner practice is to assume this forgiveness now, and feel the peace that follows.

Practice This Now

Imaginative_act: In a quiet moment, picture your mind as the Pharisee’s room and invite the inner I AM to forgive you. Assume the feeling: 'I am forgiven; I go in peace,' then hold that reality for a few breaths, letting love replace guilt.