The story of the forgiveness of a sinful woman (7:36–50) has sometimes been identified with the account in Mark 14:3–9 (and parallels), but it is clearly a different story. The link with the preceding context is the accusation leveled against Jesus in Luke 7:34. Jesus may have been invited to Simon’s home after a synagogue service. No doubt Simon respected Jesus since he gives him the honorable title “teacher” (7:40; teacher = rabbi). Uninvited guests at a banquet in the Palestinian world were not an unusual feature, although the presence of a sinner (7:39; she was probably a prostitute) may have sparked some surprise. Those enjoying the banquet reclined with their feet extended behind them, resting their heads on their left hands and eating with their right. The woman enters behind Jesus…