Luke 7:38
What does Luke 7:38 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 7:38 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 7:38 means
The woman positioned herself behind Jesus' feet, weeping profusely. Her tears so wet His feet that she used her unbound hair to wipe them dry—an act of profound humility and devotion, as respectable women kept their hair covered. She then repeatedly kissed His feet and anointed them with the precious ointment. Her actions were an extravagant, uninhibited display of worship, repentance, and deep love, contrasting sharply with the Pharisee's lack of hospitality.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and standing behind 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and standing behind 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And went in and took her place at the back of him, near his feet, weeping, so that his feet were washed with the drops from her eyes, and with her hair she made them dry, and kissing his feet she put the perfume on them.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and having stood behind, beside his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with the tears, and with the hairs of her head she was wiping, and was kissing his feet, and was anointing with the ointment.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And standing behind at his feet. she began to wash his feet with tears and wiped them with the hairs of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and standing at his feet behind [him] weeping, began to wash his feet with tears; and she wiped them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed [them] with the myrrh.
Context
This verse describes the woman's extraordinary actions of devotion and repentance at Jesus' feet. It immediately follows her entry into the Pharisee's house, vividly portraying her emotional and lavish acts before Simon the Pharisee reacts, setting the stage for the dramatic spiritual and social conflict of the narrative.
v.37And behold, a woman who was in the city, a sinner; and when she knew that he was sitting at meat in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster cruse of ointment,
v.38This passage
v.39Now when the Pharisee that had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him, that she is a sinner.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Corinthians 7:10
For godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation, a repentance which bringeth no regret: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
- Genesis 18:4
let now a little water be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:
- John 13:4
riseth from supper, and layeth aside his garments; and he took a towel, and girded himself.
- Psalms 51:17
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
- Luke 7:44
And turning to the woman, he said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thy house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath wetted my feet with her tears, and wiped them with her hair.
- Ezra 10:1
Now while Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there was gathered together unto him out of Israel a very great assembly of men and women and children; for the people wept very sore.
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