Luke 7:38
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.
As she stood behind Him at His feet weeping
The phrase "stood behind Him" indicates a position of humility and reverence. In the cultural context of the time, it was customary for a disciple or servant to stand behind a master, signifying respect and submission. The Greek word for "weeping" is "κλαίουσα" (klaiousa), which conveys a deep, heartfelt sorrow. This woman's tears are not just a sign of emotional distress but also of repentance and devotion. Her position and tears reflect a profound acknowledgment of Jesus' authority and her own unworthiness.

she began to wet His feet with her tears
The act of wetting Jesus' feet with her tears is symbolic of cleansing and purification. In ancient times, washing someone's feet was a task reserved for the lowest servants, highlighting her humility. The Greek word "βρέχειν" (brechein) for "wet" suggests an abundance of tears, indicating the depth of her contrition and love. This act can be seen as a precursor to the spiritual cleansing that Jesus offers to all who come to Him in repentance.

and wipe them with her hair
In the Jewish culture of the time, a woman's hair was considered her glory and was usually kept covered. By using her hair to wipe Jesus' feet, the woman is performing an act of profound humility and self-abasement. The Greek word "ἐκμάσσειν" (ekmassein) for "wipe" implies a gentle, tender action, reflecting her care and devotion. This act signifies the laying down of her own glory at the feet of Jesus, acknowledging His superiority and her submission to Him.

Then she kissed His feet
The act of kissing Jesus' feet is an expression of deep reverence and affection. The Greek word "κατεφίλει" (katephilei) used here is an intensive form, suggesting repeated or fervent kissing. In the historical context, kissing the feet was a gesture of profound respect and submission, often reserved for royalty or divinity. This act underscores her recognition of Jesus' divine authority and her personal devotion to Him.

and anointed them with the perfume
Anointing with perfume was a sign of honor and consecration. The Greek word "μύρον" (myron) for "perfume" refers to a costly, fragrant ointment, indicating the woman's willingness to give her best to Jesus. In the historical and scriptural context, anointing was associated with setting someone apart for a special purpose, often linked to kingship or priesthood. By anointing Jesus' feet, the woman is acknowledging His messianic role and expressing her faith in His divine mission.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Woman
Known as a sinner in the city, she demonstrates profound repentance and love for Jesus by her actions. Her identity is not specified, but her actions speak volumes about her heart's transformation.

2. Jesus
The central figure in this event, Jesus is the recipient of the woman's acts of devotion. His response to her actions highlights His compassion and authority to forgive sins.

3. Simon the Pharisee
The host of the gathering where this event takes place. His internal judgment of the woman and Jesus provides a contrast to the woman's humility and Jesus' grace.

4. The House of Simon
The setting for this event, a place of social gathering and religious discussion, which becomes a stage for a powerful demonstration of grace and forgiveness.

5. The Perfume
A costly item used by the woman to anoint Jesus' feet, symbolizing her sacrificial love and devotion.
Teaching Points
Repentance and Humility
The woman's actions are a profound display of repentance and humility. Her willingness to weep and use her hair to wipe Jesus' feet shows a heart fully surrendered to God.

Extravagant Worship
The use of expensive perfume signifies the value of worship that costs us something. True worship often involves sacrifice and a heart fully devoted to God.

Jesus' Compassion and Forgiveness
Jesus' acceptance of the woman's actions and His subsequent forgiveness highlight His compassion and authority to forgive sins. This teaches us about the boundless grace available to all who come to Him in faith.

Judgment vs. Grace
Simon's judgmental attitude contrasts with Jesus' grace. This reminds us to examine our own hearts and attitudes towards others, especially those who are seeking redemption.

The Power of a Transformed Life
The woman's actions demonstrate the transformative power of encountering Jesus. Her life becomes a testimony of grace and forgiveness, encouraging us to live out our faith boldly.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the woman's approach to Jesus challenge our understanding of repentance and humility in our own lives?

2. In what ways can we offer extravagant worship to God in our daily lives, similar to the woman's use of perfume?

3. How does Jesus' response to the woman encourage us to extend grace and forgiveness to others?

4. What can we learn from Simon the Pharisee's attitude, and how can we guard against similar judgmental tendencies in our own hearts?

5. How does this passage inspire us to live out a transformed life that bears witness to the grace and forgiveness we have received in Christ?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Matthew 26:6-13
This passage describes a similar event where a woman anoints Jesus with perfume, highlighting the theme of sacrificial love and devotion.

John 12:1-8
Another account of a woman anointing Jesus, emphasizing the value of worship and the preparation for Jesus' burial.

Psalm 51
David's psalm of repentance connects with the woman's actions as an expression of a contrite heart seeking forgiveness.

Isaiah 61:1-3
This passage speaks of the Messiah's mission to bind up the brokenhearted, which is exemplified in Jesus' interaction with the woman.
A Bruised ReedH. W. Beecher.Luke 7:36-50
A Great Sinner and a Great SaviourJ. Irons.Luke 7:36-50
An Unfeeling ReligionistTrench.Luke 7:36-50
At His FeetC. H. Spurgeon.Luke 7:36-50
Faith and ForgivenessPhillips Brooks, D. D.Luke 7:36-50
Influence of Christ's LoveLuke 7:36-50
Jesus and the WomanW. M. Taylor, D. D.Luke 7:36-50
Jesus Anointed by a Weeping Penitent in the House of Simon the PhariseeJ. Grierson.Luke 7:36-50
Jesus Attracting SinnersAmerican Sunday School TimesLuke 7:36-50
Jesus in Simon's HouseD. Longwill.Luke 7:36-50
Jesus in the House of the PhariseeM. G. Pearse.Luke 7:36-50
LessonsW. M. Taylor, D. D.Luke 7:36-50
Love Produces RepentanceJ. Hamilton, D. D.Luke 7:36-50
Love the Proof of PardonR.M. Edgar Luke 7:36-50
Loving and ForgivingW. Clarkson Luke 7:36-50
Much Forgiveness, Much LoveA. Bruce, D. D.Luke 7:36-50
Oriental FeastsW. M. Taylor, D. D.Luke 7:36-50
Representative CharactersPreacher's Lantern.Luke 7:36-50
Self-Righteous MurmuringAmerican Sunday School TimesLuke 7:36-50
She is a SinnerArchbishop Thomson.Luke 7:36-50
The Nun and the PenitentS. C. Hall.Luke 7:36-50
The PenitentB. Beddome, M. A.Luke 7:36-50
The Penitent CitizenN. Rogers.Luke 7:36-50
The Pharisee's MistakeJ. Ker, D. D.Luke 7:36-50
The Secret of DevotionC. S. Robinson, D. D.Luke 7:36-50
The Weeping PenitentJ. Dobie, D. D.Luke 7:36-50
The Woman that was a SinnerC. H. Spurgeon.Luke 7:36-50
The Woman that was a SinnerJ. Burns D. D.Luke 7:36-50
People
Jesus, John, Simon
Places
Capernaum, Galilee, Judea, Nain
Topics
Anointed, Anointing, Behind, Beside, Close, Drops, Dry, Hair, Hairs, Kept, Kissed, Kissing, Lovingly, Myrrh, Ointment, Perfume, Poured, Standing, Stood, Tears, Wash, Washed, Weeping, Wet, Wipe, Wiped, Wiping
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Luke 7:38

     5155   hair
     5198   weeping
     5436   pain
     5781   affection
     5898   kissing

Luke 7:36-38

     6237   sexual sin, nature of
     8497   witnessing, approaches

Luke 7:36-39

     6188   immorality, sexual
     7304   anointing

Luke 7:36-40

     7552   Pharisees, attitudes to Christ

Luke 7:36-47

     7342   cleanliness

Luke 7:36-50

     6025   sin, and God's character
     6654   forgiveness, Christ's ministry

Luke 7:37-38

     2012   Christ, authority
     5151   feet
     5745   women

Luke 7:37-50

     6040   sinners

Library
June 10 Evening
As Christ forgave you, so also do ye.--COL. 3:13. There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both.--I forgave thee all that debt; shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow-servant, even as I had pity on thee? When ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive,
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

Greatness in the Kingdom
'He that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.'--LUKE vii. 28. We were speaking in a preceding sermon about the elements of true greatness, as represented in the life and character of John the Baptist. As we remarked then, our Lord poured unstinted eulogium upon the head of John, in the audience of the people, at the very moment when he showed himself weakest. 'None born of women' was, in Christ's eyes, 'greater than John the Baptist.' The eulogium, authoritative as it was, was immediately
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

Thwarting God's Purpose
'The Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of Him.' --LUKE vii. 30. Our Lord has just been pouring unstinted praise on the head of John the Baptist. The eulogium was tenderly timed, for it followed, and was occasioned by the expression, through messengers, of John's doubts of Christ's Messiahship. Lest these should shake the people's confidence in the Forerunner, and make them think of him as weak and shifting, Christ speaks of him in the glowing
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

A Gluttonous Man and a Winebibber
'The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!'--LUKE vii. 34. Jesus Christ very seldom took any notice of the mists of calumny that drifted round Him. 'When He was reviled He reviled not again.' If ever He did allude to them it was for the sake of the people who were harming themselves by uttering them. So here, without the slightest trace of irritation, He quotes a malignant charge which was evidently in the
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

Worthy-Not Worthy
'... They besought Him ... saying, That he was worthy for whom He should do this:... 6. I am not worthy that Thou shouldest enter under my roof: 7. Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto Thee....' --LUKE vii. 4. 6. 7. A Roman centurion, who could induce the elders of a Jewish village to approach Jesus on his behalf, must have been a remarkable person. The garrison which held down a turbulent people was not usually likely to be much loved by them. But this man, about whom the incident
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

Go into Peace
'And He said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee: go in peace.'--LUKE vii. 50. We find that our Lord twice, and twice only, employs this form of sending away those who had received benefits from His hand. On both occasions the words were addressed to women: once to this woman, who was a sinner, and who was gibbeted by the contempt of the Pharisee in whose house the Lord was; and once to that poor sufferer who stretched out a wasted hand to lay upon the hem of His garment, in the hope of getting
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

Jesus at the Bier
'And when the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. 14. And He came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And He said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. 15. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And He delivered him to his mother.'--LUKE vii. 13-15. We owe our knowledge of this incident to Luke only. He is the Evangelist who specially delights in recording the gracious relations of our Lord with women, and he is also the Evangelist who
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

John's Doubts and Christ's Praise
'And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things. 19. And John calling unto him two of his disciples, sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou He that should come? or look we for another? 20. When the men were come unto Him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto Thee, saying, Art Thou He that should come? or look we for another? 21. And in the same hour He cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind He gave sight. 22. Then Jesus, answering,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

The Two Debtors
'There was a certain creditor which had two debtors; the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell Me therefore, which of them will love him most? 43. Simon answered and said, I suppose that he to whom he forgave most.'--LUKE vii.41-43. We all know the lovely story in which this parable is embedded. A woman of notoriously bad character had somehow come in contact with Jesus Christ, and had by Him been aroused from her
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

Forgiveness and Love.
TEXT: LUKE vii. 36-50. HOWEVER much admiration and honour was given to our Saviour by many of His contemporaries during His life on earth; however powerfully a yet greater number were struck, at least for the moment, by His exalted character; still just His greatest words and His noblest deeds often remained dark even to the noblest and best around Him, and seemed to the rest a piece of insolent pretension. When He spoke of His eternal relation to the Eternal Father, even His more intimate disciples
Friedrich Schleiermacher—Selected Sermons of Schleiermacher

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke vii. 2, Etc. ; on the Three Dead Persons whom the Lord Raised.
1. The miracles of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ make indeed an impression on all who hear of, and believe them; but on different men in different ways. For some amazed at His miracles done on the bodies of men, have no knowledge to discern the greater; whereas some admire the more ample fulfilment in the souls of men at the present time of those things which they hear of as having been wrought on their bodies. The Lord Himself saith, "For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them;
Saint Augustine—sermons on selected lessons of the new testament

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke vii. 37, "And Behold, a Woman who was in the City, a Sinner," Etc. On the Remission of Sins,
1. Since I believe that it is the will of God that I should speak to you on the subject whereof we are now reminded by the words of the Lord out of the Holy Scriptures, I will by His assistance deliver to you, Beloved, a Sermon touching the remission of sins. For when the Gospel was being read, ye gave most earnest heed, and the story was reported, and represented before the eyes of your heart. For ye saw, not with the body, but with the mind, the Lord Jesus Christ "sitting at meat in the Pharisee's
Saint Augustine—sermons on selected lessons of the new testament

On Dress
"Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of -- wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; "But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." 1 Pet. 3:3, 4. 1. St. Paul exhorts all those who desire to "be transformed by the renewal of their minds," and to "prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God," not to be "conformed to this world." [Rom. 12:2]
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

Saving Faith
I. WHAT WAS IT THAT SAVED the two persons whose history we are about to consider? In the penitent woman's case, her great sins were forgiven her and she became a woman of extraordinary love: she loved much, for she had much forgiven. I feel, in thinking of her, something like an eminent father of the church who said, "This narrative is not one which I can well preach upon; I had far rather weep over it in secret." That woman's tears, that woman's unbraided tresses wiping the Saviour's feet, her coming
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 20: 1874

A Gracious Dismissal
THE main part of my subject will be--that gracious dismissal, "Go in peace." To her who had been so lately blest, the word "Go" sounded mournfully; for she would fain have remained through life with her pardoning Lord; but the added words "in peace" turned the wormwood into honey--there was now peace for her who had been so long hunted and harried by her sins. Rising from the feet she had washed with tears, she went forth to keep her future footsteps such as those of a believing, and therefore saved,
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

Go in Peace
"And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace."--Luke 7:50. THERE appear to have been four stages in Christ's dealing with this woman. I know not what had preceded the narrative as we have it recorded in this chapter; I need not enter into that question now. There had, doubtless, been a work of the Spirit of God upon that woman's heart, turning her from her sin to her Saviour; but when she stood at our Master's feet, raining tears of penitence upon them, wiping them with the hairs
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 48: 1902

Liii. The Contemplation of Death.
16th Sunday after Trinity. S. Luke vii. 12. "Behold, there was a dead man carried out." INTRODUCTION.--The name of the village where the miracle was wrought which is recorded in this day's Gospel, was Nain, and the meaning of the name is "Pleasant" or "Beautiful." A sweet little village, you can picture it to yourself where you like, in the East, anywhere in Europe, here in England, it is all the same, an "Auburn" among villages, with thatched cottages, and green pastures, and the cows coming home
S. Baring-Gould—The Village Pulpit, Volume II. Trinity to Advent

Answer to Mr. W's Third Objection.
Our author says: p. 19. By way of objection to the letter of these three miracles, Let us consider the condition of the persons raised from the dead.--Where then was his wisdom and prudence to chuse these three persons above others to that honour? p. 20. I answer, that Jesus did not ordinarily choose the subjects of his miracles, but heal'd those chiefly who earnestly implored his mercy, or who pressed on him to be healed, or importunately desired it of him by others, when they could not possibly
Nathaniel Lardner—A Vindication of Three of Our Blessed Saviour's Miracles

Justifying or Sanctifying Grace
Sanctifying grace is defined by Deharbe as "an unmerited, supernatural gift, imparted to the soul by the Holy Ghost, by which we are made just, children of God, and heirs of Heaven." As it makes sinners just, sanctifying grace is also called justifying, though this appellation can not be applied to the sanctification of our first parents in Paradise or to that of the angels and the sinless soul of Christ. Justification, as we have shown, consists in the infusion of sanctifying grace, and hence it
Joseph Pohle—Grace, Actual and Habitual

Jesus Raises the Widow's Son.
(at Nain in Galilee.) ^C Luke VII. 11-17. ^c 11 And it came to pass soon afterwards [many ancient authorities read on the next day], that he went into a city called Nain; and his disciples went with him, and a great multitude. [We find that Jesus had been thronged with multitudes pretty continuously since the choosing of his twelve apostles. Nain lies on the northern slope of the mountain, which the Crusaders called Little Hermon, between twenty and twenty-five miles south of Capernaum, and about
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus' Feet Anointed in the House of a Pharisee.
(Galilee.) ^C Luke VII. 36-50. ^c 36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. [We learn from verse 40 that the Pharisee's name was Simon. Because the feast at Bethany was given in the house of Simon the leper, and because Jesus was anointed there also, some have been led to think that Luke is here describing this supper. See Matt. xxvi. 6-13; Mark xiv. 3-9; John xii. 1-8. But Simon the leper was not Simon the Pharisee. The name Simon was one of the most common among the Jewish
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Raising of the Young Man of Nain - the Meeting of Life and Death.
THAT early spring-tide in Galilee was surely the truest realisation of the picture in the Song of Solomon, when earth clad herself in garments of beauty, and the air was melodious with songs of new life. [2625] It seemed as if each day marked a widening circle of deepest sympathy and largest power on the part of Jesus; as if each day also brought fresh surprise, new gladness; opened hitherto unthought-of possibilities, and pointed Israel far beyond the horizon of their narrow expectancy. Yesterday
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Woman which was a Sinner
The precise date and place of the next recorded event in this Galilean journey of the Christ are left undetermined. It can scarcely have occurred in the quiet little town of Nain, indeed, is scarcely congruous with the scene which had been there enacted. And yet it must have followed almost immediately upon it. We infer this, not only from the silence of St. Matthew, which in this instance might have been due, not to the temporary detention of that Evangelist in Capernaum, while the others had followed
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

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