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)
The verse highlights the profound intimacy of her actions, particularly the detail of her wiping Jesus' feet with her own hair—an act of both extreme humility and tender devotion that transcended typical hospitality. This intimate gesture suggests a deeply personal connection, going beyond mere public repentance and revealing a soul completely surrendered to Christ's presence.
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 is observing him with skepticism. A woman known in the city as a sinner, having heard Jesus was there, enters the house. She approaches Jesus from behind, weeping and anointing his feet with tears and a costly perfume, actions that deeply disturb the Pharisee.
What drives this woman's intense actions? It's not just a display, but a profound expression of her new reality.
This woman's actions – weeping, wiping Jesus' feet with her hair, kissing them, and anointing them – are a powerful, tangible demonstration of her love and gratitude. Jesus uses these actions to contrast with Simon's lack of hospitality, highlighting that true devotion isn't about outward propriety but inward transformation.
The Language of Love
Her actions weren't commanded but flowed from a heart overwhelmed by forgiveness. She didn't just think about her sins; she acted on her love for Jesus, who had clearly impacted her deeply. This isn't about earning forgiveness, but about responding to it with everything she has.
Why did she position herself at his feet? It was a place of deep significance, revealing her heart's posture.
The woman positions herself 'at his feet, behind him.' This posture is incredibly significant. In the cultural context of the time, guests were often reclining, with their feet extending outward. For her to position herself there, especially as a woman of ill repute, was an act of profound humility and boldness.
A Slave's Position
She's placing herself in the position of a servant, not as an equal, but as someone acknowledging Christ's supreme worth. Her hair, often a woman's pride, becomes a towel – a symbol of her willingness to be lowly and to use her very adornment in service. This wasn't about seeking attention, but about utter self-abasement before the Savior.
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Was her action the cause of her forgiveness, or a result? The order matters profoundly.
A common misunderstanding is that the woman's acts of devotion earned her forgiveness. However, the text, particularly Jesus' words in Luke 7:47, clarifies the order: 'Her many sins are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.'
From Gratitude, Not Merit
Jesus is arguing from effect to cause. Her great love is evidence that she has been forgiven much. Her actions flow from her gratitude for a profound, already-granted forgiveness. This highlights a core biblical truth: salvation is a gift received by faith, and our subsequent love and good works are the natural, grateful response to that incredible gift, not the price we pay for it.
This event occurs during Jesus' Galilean ministry, a time when his popularity and influence were growing, drawing both followers and critics, including religious leaders like the Pharisees.
c. 27-30 AD— this verse
Jesus' public ministry in Galilee
During this period, Jesus traveled throughout Galilee, teaching, healing, and gathering disciples, attracting large crowds and encountering various social and religious figures.
c. 27-30 AD
Jesus invited to dinner by a Pharisee
Jesus accepts a dinner invitation from Simon, a Pharisee, providing an opportunity for interaction and theological discussion within a religious elite setting.
c. 27-30 AD
A sinful woman anoints Jesus' feet
A woman known for her sinful life boldly enters Simon's home and performs acts of deep devotion towards Jesus, including washing his feet with her tears and anointing them with oil.
c. 27-30 AD
Jesus contrasts the woman's love with Simon's lack of hospitality
Jesus uses a parable of debtors and creditors to highlight the depth of the woman's love, stemming from her great forgiveness, and contrasts it with Simon's minimal hospitality.
c. 27-30 AD
Jesus declares the woman's sins forgiven
Jesus pronounces that the woman's many sins are forgiven due to her great love and faith, affirming her salvation and bringing peace to her.
This passage highlights that God looks at the heart, not outward appearances, which directly contrasts with the Pharisee's judgmental view of the woman and underscores Jesus' ability to see her true repentance.
Matthew 9:10-13This account shows Jesus dining with tax collectors and sinners, a parallel to the setting in Luke 7, illustrating Jesus' mission to seek and save the lost and His willingness to associate with those considered outcasts by religious leaders.
Song of Solomon 5:3While the context is different, the imagery of a lover anointing her beloved and the description of a treasured perfume being poured out can resonate with the extravagance and devotion the woman displayed towards Jesus.
Psalm 51:17This verse speaks of a 'broken and contrite heart' being an acceptable sacrifice to God, which perfectly captures the spirit of the woman's actions – her tears and humble gestures were outward expressions of deep inner sorrow and a contrite spirit.
John 13:5-9This passage describes Jesus performing the act of washing the disciples' feet, and Peter's initial protest. It provides a contrast in roles but emphasizes the significance of feet-washing as an act of humility and service, which the woman elevated with her own profound gestures of devotion.
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…
The verse highlights the profound intimacy of her actions, particularly the detail of her wiping Jesus' feet with her own hair—an act of both extreme humility and tender devotion that transcended typical hospitality. This intimate gesture suggests a deeply personal connection, going beyond mere public repentance and revealing a soul completely surrendered to Christ's presence.
Jesus is dining at the home of a Pharisee named Simon, who is observing him with skepticism. A woman known in the city as a sinner, having heard Jesus was there, enters the house. She approaches Jesus from behind, weeping and anointing his feet with tears and a costly perfume, actions that deeply disturb the Pharisee.
Jesus is dining at the home of a Pharisee named Simon, who is observing him with skepticism. A woman known in the city as a sinner, having heard Jesus was there, enters the house. She approaches Jesus from behind, weeping and anointing his feet with tears and a costly perfume, actions that deeply disturb the Pharisee.
"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." — The verse highlights the profound intimacy of her actions, particularly the detail of her wiping Jesus' feet with her own hair—an act of both extreme humility and tender devotion that transcended typ…
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Last reviewed October 2026