The text emphasizes this woman was "in the city" and known as "a sinner," highlighting that her past life wasn't secret. Her decision to approach Jesus, despite this notoriety and the risk of public shame, shows a profound internal transformation driven by gratitude. This detail underscores that her actions weren't about earning forgiveness, but a response to the grace she'd already received.
And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is dining at the home of a Pharisee named Simon, who, along with the other guests, is likely scrutinizing Jesus's actions. Suddenly, a woman known for her sinful past enters and makes a dramatic display of devotion towards Jesus, which challenges the assumptions of her identity and Jesus's prophetic insight. This unexpected encounter sets the stage for Jesus to teach Simon and the others about forgiveness, love, and true spiritual understanding.
This woman wasn't just 'a sinner'; she was 'a sinner in the city.' What does that tell us about her reputation and the risk she took?
The text calls her 'a woman in the city, who was a sinner.' This phrasing suggests she was widely known for her past actions. It wasn't a private struggle; it was public knowledge, likely a source of shame and social exclusion.
This context is crucial for understanding her courage. She wasn't coming to Jesus anonymously. She was walking into a public setting, a Pharisee's home, knowing that many there would recognize her and condemn her based on her reputation. Her act was therefore incredibly bold, defying societal norms and the judgment of those present.
She brought an alabaster flask of ointment – a costly item. Why was this specific gift so significant, and what did it represent?
The 'alabaster flask of ointment' was not just a random item. Alabaster was a fine material, often used for expensive perfumes and cosmetics. This wasn't a cheap gift; it represented a significant sacrifice.
Commentaries suggest this ointment might have been something she acquired for her sinful life, now repurposed as an act of devotion and gratitude to Jesus. It was her 'best,' an extravagant offering given freely, not out of obligation, but out of overwhelming love and thankfulness for the forgiveness she had received or was experiencing.
Jesus later contrasts her actions with Simon the Pharisee's lack of hospitality. While Simon offered no water for Jesus' feet, no kiss, and no anointing, the woman lavished these acts of reverence. Her actions speak louder than words, demonstrating a profound love born from immense gratitude for her sins being forgiven.
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Her actions—weeping, washing feet, kissing, anointing—weren't just emotional outbursts. What do they reveal about her inner transformation?
This woman's interaction with Jesus is a powerful display of a truly repentant heart. Her physical actions are a profound expression of her internal state:
These weren't just dramatic gestures; they were tangible evidence of a life being transformed. As one commentator notes, her love was a result of forgiveness, not the cause. She loved much because much had been forgiven. Her actions were the outflow of a heart overwhelmed by God's grace.
Understand the original words
hamartōlos · Greek Adjective
A common term for those living in habitual transgression of God's moral law. In this context, it often refers to someone whose life or profession is socially or religiously stigmatized as unclean.
alabastron · Greek Noun
A vessel made of fine stone, often used to contain expensive oils or perfumes. In biblical times, such flasks often represented a significant financial sacrifice or a vessel of honor.
myron · Greek Noun
A fragrant oil or perfume used for medical, cosmetic, or ritual purposes. Anointing was a gesture of honor, hospitality, or preparation for burial.
The context of a Pharisee's meal highlights the stark social and religious divisions of the time. Jesus' willingness to dine with a Pharisee, and then accept the profound devotion of a woman considered a 'sinner,' challenged deeply ingrained societal norms and purity concerns.
Early to mid-1st century AD— this verse
Jesus' Public Ministry in Galilee
Jesus travels throughout Galilee, teaching, healing, and gathering disciples. His ministry often attracts crowds, including those considered 'sinners' by religious elites.
Early to mid-1st century AD
Pharisaic Social Customs
Pharisees, as respected religious leaders, often hosted meals. These events followed specific customs, including offering water for feet washing and a customary kiss of greeting.
Early to mid-1st century AD
Social Stratification and Purity Laws
Jewish society maintained strict social hierarchies and purity laws. 'Sinners,' particularly those known for immoral lifestyles, were often ostracized and considered ritually impure.
This passage describes a feast where the beloved invites his companions to eat and drink freely, reflecting a similar setting of hospitality that allows for an unexpected encounter with someone seeking intimacy, though here it's the groom inviting, not a guest.
Psalm 23:5This verse speaks of God preparing a table in the presence of enemies, and anointing the head with oil, which directly parallels the actions and setting of Jesus being honored at a Pharisee's table, albeit in a very different manner than the Pharisee intended.
Isaiah 53:12This passage from Isaiah speaks of the Suffering Servant being 'numbered with the transgressors,' highlighting Jesus' mission to associate with and ultimately save sinners, which is precisely what the Pharisee questions in this encounter.
John 12:3This passage describes Mary anointing Jesus' feet with expensive perfume, a very similar act of devotion and gratitude, though it occurs at a later time and in a different context (the home of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha).
1 Samuel 16:7This verse emphasizes God looking at the heart, not outward appearances, which directly addresses the Pharisee's judgment of the woman based on her reputation, contrasting it with Jesus' discernment of her true repentance and love.
calvinLuke 7:36-50: "And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat."
- And one of the Pharisees requested him to take food with him; and he entered into the house of the Pharisee, and sat down at table. 37. And, lo, a woman in the city, who was a sinner, when she knew that he sat at table in the house of the Pharisee, brought an alabaster box of ointment: [236] 38. And sitting at his feet behind him, and weeping, she beg…
clarkeLuke 7:37: "And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,"
A woman - which was a sinner - Many suppose that this woman had been a notorious public prostitute; but this is taking the subject by the very worst handle. My own opinion is, that she had been a mere heathen who dwelt in this city, (probably Capernaum), who, through the ministry of Christ, had been before this converted to God, a…
The text emphasizes this woman was "in the city" and known as "a sinner," highlighting that her past life wasn't secret. Her decision to approach Jesus, despite this notoriety and the risk of public shame, shows a profound internal transformation driven by gratitude. This detail underscores that her actions weren't about earning forgiveness, but a response to the grace she'd already received.
Jesus is dining at the home of a Pharisee named Simon, who, along with the other guests, is likely scrutinizing Jesus's actions. Suddenly, a woman known for her sinful past enters and makes a dramatic display of devotion towards Jesus, which challenges the assumptions of her identity and Jesus's prophetic insight. This unexpected encounter sets the stage for Jesus to teach Simon and the others about forgiveness, love, and true spiritual understanding.
Jesus is dining at the home of a Pharisee named Simon, who, along with the other guests, is likely scrutinizing Jesus's actions. Suddenly, a woman known for her sinful past enters and makes a dramatic display of devotion towards Jesus, which challenges the assumptions of her identity and Jesus's prophetic insight. This unexpected encounter sets the stage for Jesus to teach Simon and the others about forgiveness, love, and true spiritual understanding.
"And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet wit…" — The text emphasizes this woman was "in the city" and known as "a sinner," highlighting that her past life wasn't secret. Her decision to approach Jesus, despite this notoriety and the risk of public…
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Last reviewed October 2026
