Discovery BoxLuke 7:37 
Context7:37 Then 1 when a woman of that town, who was a sinner, learned that Jesus 2 was dining 3 at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar 4 of perfumed oil. 5
Luke 7:39
Context7:39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, 6 he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, 7 he would know who and what kind of woman 8 this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.”
Luke 15:7
Context15:7 I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner 9 who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people 10 who have no need to repent. 11
Luke 18:13
Context18:13 The tax collector, however, stood 12 far off and would not even look up 13 to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, be merciful 14 to me, sinner that I am!’ 15
1 tn Grk “And behold.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative. The Greek word ἰδού (idou) at the beginning of this statement has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis (BDAG 468 s.v. 1).
2 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
3 tn Grk “was reclining at table.”
4 sn A jar made of alabaster stone was normally used for very precious substances like perfumes. It normally had a long neck which was sealed and had to be broken off so the contents could be used.
5 tn Μύρον (muron) was usually made of myrrh (from which the English word is derived) but here it is used in the sense of ointment or perfumed oil (L&N 6.205). The same phrase occurs at the end of v. 38 and in v. 46.
sn Nard or spikenard is a fragrant oil from the root and spike of the nard plant of northern India. This perfumed oil, if made of something like nard, would have been extremely expensive, costing up to a year’s pay for an average laborer.
6 tn The word “this” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were frequently omitted in Greek when clear from the context.
7 tn This is a good example of a second class (contrary to fact) Greek conditional sentence. The Pharisee said, in effect, “If this man were a prophet (but he is not)…”
8 sn The Pharisees believed in a form of separationism that would have prevented them from any kind of association with such a sinful woman.
9 sn There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. The pursuit of the sinner is a priority in spite of the presence of others who are doing well (see also Luke 5:32; 19:10). The theme of repentance, a major Lukan theme, is again emphasized.
10 tn Here δικαίοις (dikaioi") is an adjective functioning substantivally and has been translated “righteous people.”
11 tn Or “who do not need to repent”; Grk “who do not have need of repentance.”
12 tn Grk “standing”; the Greek participle has been translated as a finite verb.
13 tn Grk “even lift up his eyes” (an idiom).
14 tn The prayer is a humble call for forgiveness. The term for mercy (ἱλάσκομαι, Jilaskomai) is associated with the concept of a request for atonement (BDAG 473-74 s.v. 1; Ps 51:1, 3; 25:11; 34:6, 18).
15 tn Grk “the sinner.” The tax collector views himself not just as any sinner but as the worst of all sinners. See ExSyn 222-23.
