# Simon's Feast explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper.

## What happens

A penitent woman approaches Jesus at Simon's feast, washing his feet with her tears and wiping them with her hair. Simon doubts Jesus' prophetic insight, but Christ perceives his thoughts, forgives the woman's sins, and reveals the transformative power of divine love and redemption.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hope and Redemption

The woman's sins are forgiven, and her life is transformed, illustrating the power of divine grace to cleanse guilt and restore purity.

### Faith and Divine Justice

Christ sees beyond outward sin to the potential for goodness, offering forgiveness and liberation from spiritual bondage.

## Character check-ins

### Christ

The prophet of Galilee, guest at Simon's feast, who shows mercy and forgives the penitent woman.

### Simon

The host who fails to offer hospitality and doubts Jesus' holiness.

## Key lines

> He enters the home as Simon’s guest, But he gives no welcome kiss; He brings no water to bathe his feet⁠— Why is Simon so remiss?

Jesus arrives at Simon's house, but Simon fails to greet him with a kiss or provide water for his feet, showing neglect.

_Highlights Simon's lack of hospitality and respect toward Jesus._

> Where Simon only saw the stains, Where sin and shame were rife, Christ looked beneath and saw the germs Of a fair, outflowering life.

Simon focused on the woman's sin and disgrace, but Jesus perceived her potential for goodness and renewal.

_Contrasts human judgment with divine insight and mercy._

> Like one who breaks a galling chain, And sets a prisoner free, He rent her fetters with the words, “Thy sins are forgiven thee.”

Jesus liberated the woman from the bondage of sin by declaring her forgiven, as if breaking chains.

_Emphasizes the freeing power of forgiveness._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_7_se/chapters/simon-s-feast
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_7_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_7_se/chapters