Luke 7:39 “Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.”
It is interesting here that the Pharisee believes that Jesus should know so much about this lady ‘if he were a prophet’. A good reading of the Old Testament will show that prophets were not always given perfect knowledge of everything and everyone. The fact that the Pharisee sticks upon the identity of the woman suggests he had not invited her, and verse 37 seems to confirm this since the woman herself came because she heard Jesus was present.
Of course, we are here hearing the thoughts of the Pharisee. Though many reading the gospels miss it completely, one of the wonders that Christ performed on several occasions was the reading of people’s minds. Indeed, based on what we have recorded of Christ’s abilities on this point it is doubtless that He not only knew the thoughts of Simon the Pharisee, but of the woman and every other person present. This is significant as His abilities in this area are unparalleled. Just as many other things He did or said, it is only possible because of His Divinity.
As a Pharisee, Simon was used to finding reasons to distrust, judge, belittle and disbelieve. However, it must be kept in mind that there is often a fine line between hypocrisy and understanding. When persons become very familiar with God’s Word, the enemy will very commonly use hypocrisy as a chief temptation. As a result, the Pharisee may be at once the most loathsome to us, and yet the person who, if converted, will be a shinning light for the Savior. Take Paul for an example.
Heavenly Father, You only are worthy of all glory and honor and power! You know everything about us. Every thought is already known to You before we will think it. Only You understand absolutely everything. You are so wise and good! May we live to serve you always. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.