‘Now when the Pharisee who had bidden him saw it, he spoke within himself, saying, “This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what manner of woman this is who touches him, that she is a sinner.” '
The Pharisee was horrified, but courteously said nothing. He could see at once what kind of a woman this was, ‘a sinner', probably a prostitute. To be touched by such a woman was to be ritually defiled. Yet it was apparent that Jesus was making no attempt to avoid her. He could only assume that Jesus did not realise what kind of a woman she was. Some prophet! He had been considering what he could believe about Jesus, and now he knew. Sadly He was not genuine after all.
It is salutary that he apparently felt no guilt about his own neglect of his guest. He probably felt that Jesus should feel grateful that He had been invited. But at least he kept his head averted and pretended that he had not seen the woman. He must not make his guest feel uncomfortable.