Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus highlights the stark contrast between the woman's overwhelming gratitude and Simon's complete lack of hospitality, emphasizing that the woman's actions, though seemingly extravagant, stem from a profound sense of being forgiven much. This isn't just about social etiquette; it's a divine assessment of the heart, revealing that true appreciation for grace is demonstrated through our passionate response to it.
Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just entered the home of Simon the Pharisee for a meal, a setting that immediately becomes tense when an unknown woman, known to be a sinner, arrives and begins to lavish affection on Jesus. Simon, observing this, privately questions Jesus' prophetic ability because he doesn't seem to recognize the woman's sinful past. Jesus responds by telling a parable about debtors and creditors, setting up a direct comparison between Simon's lack of hospitality and the woman's extravagant display of devotion.
Imagine being invited to someone's home. What would you expect? In Jesus' day, hospitality was more than just a meal; it was a set of expected courtesies. But what happens when those courtesies are withheld?
Jesus contrasts the reception He received from Simon, a respected Pharisee, with that of a woman known for her sinful past. Simon, the host, offered Jesus nothing – no water for His feet, no kiss of greeting, no anointing oil. This wasn't just a minor oversight; it was a stark absence of the common courtesies expected for any guest, let alone a teacher.
Expected Rituals of Respect
Simon's failure to offer these basic acts reveals a heart that was not truly honored or welcoming. His invitation, though appearing respectful on the surface, lacked genuine warmth and reverence.
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This woman's actions are dramatic, almost overwhelming. Why did she respond with such intense emotion and costly devotion? Jesus uses her actions to reveal a profound truth about forgiveness.
The woman's response is the polar opposite of Simon's cold respect. Her actions are not performative; they are a spontaneous outpouring of a heart deeply touched by forgiveness.
Demonstrations of Gratitude
Jesus highlights these actions not as a cause for her forgiveness, but as the result of it. Her profound love, demonstrated so lavishly, was a direct response to the immense forgiveness she had received.
Simon the Pharisee saw a sinner; Jesus saw a soul forgiven and transformed. What caused this radical difference in perception, and what does it say about truly 'seeing'?
The core of the interaction lies in their differing perspectives, shaped by their relationship with God. Simon, steeped in religious observance but lacking a deep understanding of his own need, judges the woman harshly. He sees her past and concludes she's unworthy, failing to recognize Jesus' prophetic and salvific identity.
Seeing the Unseen
Jesus clarifies that the woman's love isn't the reason she's forgiven, but the proof that she has been forgiven much. Simon, blind to his own spiritual bankruptcy, could not 'see' this.
Understand the original words
dakryon · Greek Noun
A saline secretion from the eyes; used metaphorically in Scripture to signify deep repentance, sorrow for sin, and humility before God.
c. 1st century AD— this verse
Jesus' Galilean Ministry
Jesus traveled throughout Galilee, teaching, healing, and calling disciples, often dining with people from various social backgrounds, including Pharisees.
c. 1st century AD
Pharisaic Social Customs
Jewish society, particularly among Pharisees, had established customs of hospitality for guests, including offering water for feet, a kiss, and anointing with oil.
c. 1st century AD
Social Stratification and Purity Laws
A rigid social structure existed, with significant divisions between religious elites like Pharisees and those considered 'sinners' or outside the acceptable social norms.
This passage describes Jesus washing the disciples' feet, a custom of hospitality that Simon the Pharisee failed to offer Jesus, highlighting Jesus' contrasting humility and the expected respect.
Romans 5:8This verse speaks of God's immense love shown through Christ's death for us while we were still sinners, which parallels the woman's overwhelming gratitude stemming from the forgiveness of her many sins.
Psalm 51:17The passage mentions that 'the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise,' mirroring the woman's tears and humble devotion as a profound expression of her repentance.
1 Samuel 2:2Hannah's prayer rejoices in God's strength and deliverance, showing that 'there is none holy like the LORD,' which echoes the woman's profound recognition of Jesus' divine authority and mercy, far beyond Simon's limited perception.
2 Corinthians 5:17This verse states that 'if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation,' which speaks to the transformative power of Christ's forgiveness, as seen in the woman who, once a sinner, is now demonstrating deep faith 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…
barnesLuke 7:44: "And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head."
Seest thou this woman? - You see what this woman has done to me, compared with what you have done. She has shown me expressions of regard which you, in your own house, have not shown. I entered into thine house - I came at your invitation, where I might expect all t…
Jesus highlights the stark contrast between the woman's overwhelming gratitude and Simon's complete lack of hospitality, emphasizing that the woman's actions, though seemingly extravagant, stem from a profound sense of being forgiven much. This isn't just about social etiquette; it's a divine assessment of the heart, revealing that true appreciation for grace is demonstrated through our passionate response to it.
Jesus has just entered the home of Simon the Pharisee for a meal, a setting that immediately becomes tense when an unknown woman, known to be a sinner, arrives and begins to lavish affection on Jesus. Simon, observing this, privately questions Jesus' prophetic ability because he doesn't seem to recognize the woman's sinful past. Jesus responds by telling a parable about debtors and creditors, setting up a direct comparison between Simon's lack of hospitality and the woman's extravagant display of devotion.
Jesus has just entered the home of Simon the Pharisee for a meal, a setting that immediately becomes tense when an unknown woman, known to be a sinner, arrives and begins to lavish affection on Jesus. Simon, observing this, privately questions Jesus' prophetic ability because he doesn't seem to recognize the woman's sinful past. Jesus responds by telling a parable about debtors and creditors, setting up a direct comparison between Simon's lack of hospitality and the woman's extravagant display of devotion.
"Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair." — Jesus highlights the stark contrast between the woman's overwhelming gratitude and Simon's complete lack of hospitality, emphasizing that the woman's actions, though seemingly extravagant, stem from…
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Last reviewed October 2026