Keraia
Luke 7

Luke 7:38

A Sinful Woman Anoints Jesus · Luke 7:36–50
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Translations

Modern
As she stood behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears and wipe them with her hair. Then she kissed His feet and anointed them with the perfume.
Traditional
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.
Literal
…and having stood behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and she was wiping them with the hairs of her head, and she was kissing His feet and was anointing them with the fragrant oil.
Latin
…et stans retro secus pedes ejus, lacrimis cœpit rigare pedes ejus, et capillis capitis sui tergebat, et osculabatur pedes ejus, et unguento ungebat.

Original

Greek
English
As she stood behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears and wipe them with her hair. Then she kissed His feet and anointed them with the perfume.

Notes

Luke 7:38

  • she stood behind Him: At a banquet, people ate while lying on their sides around a low table, with their feet stretched out behind them. Because of this, the woman could not reach the head of Jesus to anoint him (to pour oil on him as a sign of honor), so she poured the perfume on his feet.

    wipe them with her hair: In that culture, a woman normally kept her hair covered in public. Letting her hair down could bring shame and even give a husband reason for divorce. By wiping the feet of Jesus with her hair and kissing them, she showed deep respect and honor. She set aside normal social rules because she was so thankful.

Luke 7:36–50

What Jesus said in 7:35 is shown in this story by one of “wisdom’s children” (see study note on 7:35). She is a repentant sinner (a person who turns away from sin). She shows deep gratitude for the forgiveness she has received.

Events

Parallels

Matthew 26:6–13 Mark 14:3–9 John 12:1–8

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Jesus Christ Justification, Justified Luke, Gospel of Meaning of Meals in the Bible Ointment Prophecy Simon Sin

Topics

Ablution of the Feet Anointing of Jesus, As a Token of Love Anointing was Applied to The Feet Beds used for Reclining on at Meals Eating: Reclining on Couches Entertainments: Guests At: had Their Feet Washed when They Came a Distance Faith: Faith in Christ: The Woman Who Anointed Jesus' Feet Feasts: Reclined on Couches Hair: Worn Long by Women Jesus, the Christ: Anointed by a Sinful Woman (At Capernaum) Kiss: The Feet of Jesus Kissed by the Penitent Woman Repentance: The Woman Who Anointed Jesus with Oil Salutations: Often Accompanied by Embracing and Kissing the Feet Self-Righteousness: General Scriptures Concerning Simon: A Pharisee: Jesus Dines With The Alabaster Box The Feet: Reverence Expressed by Kissing The Hair of Women: Neglected in Grief Weeping of Mary, when She Washed the Feet of Jesus Women's Hair