Luke 7:46
You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus highlights the stark contrast between a host's neglect and a sinner's extravagant devotion by pointing out the type of anointing. While a common guest like Simon might have received a head-anointing with simple oil, this woman used precious, expensive ointment on Jesus' feet, demonstrating a love and reverence far exceeding customary hospitality.
Jesus is dining at the home of Simon, a Pharisee, when a woman known for her sinful past boldly approaches and anoints Jesus' feet with expensive ointment. This act contrasts sharply with the lukewarm, almost dismissive hospitality Simon has shown Jesus, who points out the distinct lack of customary honors like water for his feet, a kiss, or even simple oil for his head, which the woman has more than made up for.
Simon the Pharisee invited Jesus to dinner. It sounds hospitable, right? But how did his actions (or lack thereof) compare to the woman's extravagant display?
In ancient Near Eastern culture, welcoming a guest, especially a respected one, involved specific acts of courtesy. These weren't just politeness; they were expressions of honor and care.
Expected Etiquette:
Simon, though hosting Jesus, offered none of these basic courtesies. His invitation was a test, not a true welcome. In stark contrast, the woman, recognizing Jesus's true identity, poured out her devotion through extravagant actions: washing his feet with tears, wiping them with her hair, kissing them, and anointing them with precious ointment.
Jesus highlights this contrast not to condemn Simon's table manners but to expose the difference between a mere social obligation and genuine, overflowing love that recognizes divine worth.
Jesus uses a parable to explain why the woman's actions were so extraordinary. It wasn't just about the expensive perfume; it was about what it revealed.
Jesus tells Simon a parable about a creditor and two debtors. One owes a huge amount, the other a much smaller sum. When neither can pay, the creditor forgives both debts.
Jesus then asks Simon, 'Which of them will love him more?' Simon, grasping the logic, answers correctly: the one forgiven the larger debt.
This parable is the key to understanding the woman's actions. She wasn't necessarily a 'greater sinner' in quantity, but she the immensity of her forgiveness. Her extravagant acts of love – the tears, the precious ointment – weren't the of her forgiveness, but the of her deep gratitude for that forgiveness.
Understand the original words
aleiphō · Greek Verb
To smear or rub with oil as a sign of hospitality, consecration, or healing. In a biblical context, it serves as a mark of honor, set-apartness, or refreshment.
This event takes place within the context of Jesus' public ministry in Galilee, a time when he actively engaged with Jewish society, including its religious leaders and common people. The specific setting of a meal in a Pharisee's home highlights the cultural expectations of hospitality that were unmet by Simon but exceeded by the penitent woman, revealing Jesus' mission to save sinners.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus travels and teaches in Galilee
During his public ministry, Jesus traveled widely, teaching, healing, and interacting with people from all walks of life, including Pharisees and those considered 'sinners'.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Jesus invited to a Pharisee's house
A Pharisee named Simon invites Jesus to his home for a meal, an occasion that would typically involve specific customs of hospitality and respect for guests.
Early 1st century AD
A woman anoints Jesus' feet
A woman, known in the city as a sinner, hears Jesus is at Simon's house and comes, weeping, to anoint his feet with precious ointment, an act of devotion and repentance.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus confronts Simon's judgmental thoughts
Jesus, perceiving Simon's critical thoughts about his association with the woman, uses a parable to expose Simon's lack of hospitality and to highlight the woman's profound love and repentance.
This passage speaks of the delightful fragrance of the Lord's name and presence, echoing the precious ointment used by the woman in Luke 7 to express her devotion.
Psalm 23:5This verse describes God preparing a table and anointing the head with oil, highlighting the customary hospitality and honor shown to guests, which Simon the Pharisee failed to provide.
Matthew 26:7Here, a woman also anoints Jesus' head with a very expensive ointment, drawing a parallel to the woman in Luke 7 and underscoring the theme of extravagant devotion and sacrifice towards Jesus.
1 Samuel 16:1The anointing of David with oil signifies his selection and consecration by God, providing a contrast to the simple hospitable act of anointing a guest's head, which Simon neglected.
Romans 5:8This verse emphasizes God's immense love demonstrated by Christ's death for us while we were still sinners, which is the underlying reason for the great love and gratitude shown by the forgiven woman.
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…
pulpitLuke 7:46: "My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment."
Verse 46. - My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. "It never entered thy thoughts to pay me the homage - and yet I had helped thee, too, a little - of pouring oil on my head" (this was by no means an unusual mark of respect in the case of an honoured guest; to one who, under the burning sun of Palestine, had walked, perhaps, some distance…
Jesus highlights the stark contrast between a host's neglect and a sinner's extravagant devotion by pointing out the type of anointing. While a common guest like Simon might have received a head-anointing with simple oil, this woman used precious, expensive ointment on Jesus' feet, demonstrating a love and reverence far exceeding customary hospitality.
Jesus is dining at the home of Simon, a Pharisee, when a woman known for her sinful past boldly approaches and anoints Jesus' feet with expensive ointment. This act contrasts sharply with the lukewarm, almost dismissive hospitality Simon has shown Jesus, who points out the distinct lack of customary honors like water for his feet, a kiss, or even simple oil for his head, which the woman has more than made up for.
Jesus is dining at the home of Simon, a Pharisee, when a woman known for her sinful past boldly approaches and anoints Jesus' feet with expensive ointment. This act contrasts sharply with the lukewarm, almost dismissive hospitality Simon has shown Jesus, who points out the distinct lack of customary honors like water for his feet, a kiss, or even simple oil for his head, which the woman has more than made up for.
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Simon, on the other hand, likely felt he had little to be forgiven for, and thus showed little love or gratitude. The woman, recognizing the vastness of her debt and the freedom of its cancellation, responded with a love that overflowed.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus declares the woman's sins forgiven
Jesus publicly declares that the woman's many sins are forgiven because of her great love, demonstrating his divine authority to forgive sins and offering her peace through faith.
"You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment." — Jesus highlights the stark contrast between a host's neglect and a sinner's extravagant devotion by pointing out the type of anointing. While a common guest like Simon might have received a head-an…
