Scripture Study for

Nathan chastises David for his adultery. The king is reminded of the blessings that God bestowed upon him. When David took the wife of Uriah, he not only committed adultery with her, but he also cut off Uriah’s line of descent. Uriah’s murder merely brought this fact to completion. The episode also reveals the precarious position that women held in this society. Their procreative potential made them both cherished and vulnerable. The punishment shows clearly that the king may have been chosen by God and lavished with blessings, but he was still accountable to the law like every other Israelite. 

Paul contrasts observance of the law with the power of the death and resurrection of Christ. Though faithful to the law during his lifetime, in death Jesus moved out of the realm of the law, and by his resurrection, he moved beyond it. Joined to Jesus, believers die to the law through the death of Jesus and live for God through his resurrection. According to Paul, either justification comes through the law, and then Christ died in vain; or justification comes through faith in Jesus  Christ, and then life according to the law has been transcended. 

The dinner to which Jesus was invited must have been either a banquet or a  Sabbath meal, because those eating were reclining. The woman had not been invited, yet she seems to have had free access to the dinner, suggesting that it was not a strictly private affair. Because Jesus does not rebuff her, Simon concludes that he does not know that she is a sinner, and consequently, he could not be a prophet. Jesus’ parable shows that he does indeed know about the woman,  and he is aware of Simon’s thoughts as well. Jesus’ last words to the woman reveal the progression of her transformation: her faith was the basis of her love; her love was demonstrated in her contrition. Jesus recognized this, and rewarded her.