Luke 7:39
What does Luke 7:39 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 7:39 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 7:39 means
Simon the Pharisee, observing the woman's actions, spoke to himself, concluding that if Jesus were truly a prophet, He would supernaturally know what kind of immoral woman was touching Him—and thus would naturally recoil. This reveals Simon's judgmental heart, his misunderstanding of Jesus' character, and his failure to recognize Jesus as Messiah, assuming Jesus' holiness would be defiled by contact with a sinner rather than extended through compassion.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Now 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Now 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Now when the Pharisee in whose house he was saw it, he said to himself, This man, if he was a prophet, would be conscious what sort of woman this is who has put her hands on him, that she is a sinner.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And the Pharisee who did call him, having seen, spake within himself, saying, `This one, if he were a prophet, would have known who and of what kind <FI>is<Fi> the woman who doth touch him, that she is a sinner.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the Pharisee, who had invited him, seeing it, spoke within himself, saying: This man, if he were if a prophet, would know surely who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him, that she is a sinner.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the Pharisee who had invited him, seeing it, spoke with himself saying, This [person] if he were a prophet would have known who and what the woman is who touches him, for she is a sinner.
Context
This verse reveals Simon the Pharisee's internal, critical judgment of Jesus based on the woman's presence. It directly follows the woman's acts of devotion, highlighting Simon's religious snobbery and setting up Jesus' direct and insightful rebuke of Simon's spiritual shortsightedness in the verses that follow.
v.38and 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.
v.39This passage
v.40And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Teacher, say on.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Mark 2:6
But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,
- John 7:40
Some of the multitude therefore, when they heard these words, said, This is of a truth the prophet.
- Luke 3:8
Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
- Mark 7:21
For from within, out of the heart of men, evil thoughts proceed, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries,
- Matthew 9:12
But when he heard it, he said, They that are whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick.
- Isaiah 65:5
that say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me, for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.
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