Luke 7:38
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)
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This scene unfolds at a dinner party hosted by a Pharisee named Simon, where Jesus is the guest of honor. A woman known in the city for her sinful past, upon learning Jesus is present, arrives and performs a series of deeply affectionate and penitent actions towards him. The Pharisee, observing this, inwardly judges Jesus, questioning his prophetic insight based on his interaction with the woman, which Jesus then addresses through a parable.
Jesus has just entered the home of a Pharisee named Simon for a meal, where a notorious woman of the city, known for her sinful life, boldly approaches Jesus. She stands behind him, weeping and anointing his feet, a stark contrast to the expected hospitality from the Pharisee, setting up Jesus' subsequent teaching on forgiveness and love.
This woman's actions are intense, almost overwhelming. What drives such an extreme display of emotion and physical devotion?
The scene described in Luke 7:38 is a powerful, multi-sensory demonstration of a heart transformed by profound love and gratitude.
More Than Just Tears
Her weeping isn't just sadness; it's an overflowing response to immense forgiveness. The tears are so abundant they begin to 'wash' Jesus' feet, a task usually done with water by a servant. This shows a deep, personal connection and a willingness to humble herself completely.
Humble Service, Sacred Act
Wiping Jesus' feet with her hair was a radical act. In that culture, hair was often a woman's glory and pride. Using it as a towel, especially in public, signifies the absolute surrender of her former self and her utter devotion to Christ. It's a slave's gesture, reflecting her new status as a beloved servant of God.
A Kiss of Adoration
The repeated kissing of Jesus' feet, followed by anointing them with precious ointment, further emphasizes her deep affection and reverence. This wasn't a casual greeting but an act of worship, acknowledging Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Simon the Pharisee is focused on the woman's past sins. Jesus uses her actions to reveal Simon's own spiritual blindness.
Jesus masterfully contrasts the woman's extravagant love with Simon's lukewarm hospitality, exposing the Pharisee's underlying spiritual condition.
Hospitality Denied
When Jesus entered Simon's house, he received none of the customary courtesies. He wasn't given water for his feet, a greeting kiss, or even a simple anointing oil for his head. These were standard acts of hospitality in that culture, showing respect and honor.
Love's Measure
Simon, despite inviting Jesus, offered no warmth or recognition. Jesus points out that the woman, on the other hand, 'has not ceased to kiss my feet' and 'anointed them with ointment.' Her actions, though unconventional, are a direct response to the immense forgiveness she has received.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus' Public Ministry Begins
Jesus begins his public ministry, traveling and teaching throughout Galilee and surrounding regions, drawing crowds of followers.
Early-Mid 1st century AD
Pharisaic Influence in Jewish Society
The Pharisees hold significant religious and social influence, emphasizing strict adherence to the Law and oral traditions, often critical of those seen as less observant.
Early-Mid 1st century AD
Jesus' Teaching on Forgiveness and Grace
Jesus frequently teaches about God's boundless mercy, the forgiveness of sins, and the importance of love and humility, often challenging conventional religious views.
Early-Mid 1st century AD— this verse
A Pharisee Invites Jesus to Dinner
Jesus accepts an invitation to dine at the home of Simon, a Pharisee. This setting allows for a direct interaction and a demonstration of Jesus' teachings.
This passage describes a similar intimate act of anointing and kissing, highlighting the deep love and devotion poured out towards the beloved, mirroring the woman's actions towards Jesus.
John 11:2Mary, the sister of Lazarus, anoints Jesus' feet with a very costly ointment, a parallel act of devotion and love that Jesus acknowledges as preparing him for burial, similar to the woman in Luke.
Isaiah 61:1-3This prophecy speaks of the Spirit of the Lord being upon the one who brings good news to the afflicted and binds up the brokenhearted, a mission that Jesus is fulfilling in this encounter by offering forgiveness and peace.
Romans 5:8This verse emphasizes God's immense love demonstrated by Christ dying for us while we were still sinners, which is the underlying truth that the woman's overwhelming gratitude reflects.
1 Samuel 16:7God's perspective is contrasted with human judgment; while the Pharisee sees only the woman's sin, Jesus, like God, looks on the heart and sees her repentance and faith.
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 7:38: "And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment."
Stood at his feet behind him - In taking their meals, the eastern people reclined on one side; the loins and knees being bent to make the more room, the feet of each person were turned outwards behind him. This is the meaning of standing Behind at his Feet. Began to wash his feet with tears - Ηρξατο…
This scene unfolds at a dinner party hosted by a Pharisee named Simon, where Jesus is the guest of honor. A woman known in the city for her sinful past, upon learning Jesus is present, arrives and performs a series of deeply affectionate and penitent actions towards him. The Pharisee, observing this, inwardly judges Jesus, questioning his prophetic insight based on his interaction with the woman, which Jesus then addresses through a parable.
Jesus has just entered the home of a Pharisee named Simon for a meal, where a notorious woman of the city, known for her sinful life, boldly approaches Jesus. She stands behind him, weeping and anointing his feet, a stark contrast to the expected hospitality from the Pharisee, setting up Jesus' subsequent teaching on forgiveness and love.
Jesus has just entered the home of a Pharisee named Simon for a meal, where a notorious woman of the city, known for her sinful life, boldly approaches Jesus. She stands behind him, weeping and anointing his feet, a stark contrast to the expected hospitality from the Pharisee, setting up Jesus' subsequent teaching on forgiveness and love.
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Forgiveness Fuels Love
Jesus explains the core principle: 'Her many sins, which were very many, has been forgiven; hence she loved much.' This isn't saying her love caused the forgiveness, but that the awareness of great forgiveness naturally leads to great love. Simon, who likely saw himself as righteous and having little need for forgiveness, displayed little love.
"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." — This scene unfolds at a dinner party hosted by a Pharisee named Simon, where Jesus is the guest of honor. A woman known in the city for her sinful past, upon learning Jesus is present, arrives and pe…
