Luke 7:38

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Luke 7:36-49

When and where this passage of story happened does not appear; this evangelist does not observe order of time in his narrative so much as the other evangelists do; but it comes in here, upon occasion of Christ's being reproached as a friend to publicans and sinners, to show that it was only for their good, and to bring them to repentance, that he conversed with them; and that those whom he admitted hear him were reformed, or in a hopeful way to be so. Who this woman was that here testified so... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Luke 7:36-50

7:36-50 One of the Pharisees invited Jesus to eat with him. He went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at table; and--look you--there was a woman in the town, a bad woman. She knew that he was at table in the Pharisee's house, so she took an alabaster phial of perfume and stood behind him, beside his feet, weeping. She began to wash his feet with tears, and she wiped them with the hairs of her head; and she kept kissing his feet and anointing them with the perfume. When the Pharisee, who... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 7:38

And stood at his feet behind him ,.... Christ lay upon a bed, or couch, as was the custom of the ancients, both Jews and others, at meals, with his feet put out behind; and between the couches and the walls of the room, there was a space for servants to wait and serve, and such are therefore said to "stand at the feet"; and the phrase is used, as descriptive of servants in waiting F14 Vid Alstorphium de lectis veterum, p. 106, 107. ; and in such a situation this woman put herself, as... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 7:38

Stood at his feet behind him - In taking their meals, the eastern people reclined on one side; the loins and knees being bent to make the more room, the feet of each person were turned outwards behind him. This is the meaning of standing Behind at his Feet. Began to wash his feet with tears - Ηρξατο βρεχειν - τοις δακρυσι , She began to water his feet - to let a shower of tears fall on them. As the Jews wore nothing like our shoes, (theirs being a mere sole, bound about the foot and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 7:36-50

The nameless woman who was a sinner , and Simon the-Pharisee. As regards the incident about to be told, some commentators have believed that the anointing was identical with that related by St. John as having taken place at Bethany very shortly before the Crucifixion. Without detailing the several points of difference in the two recitals, it will be sufficient surely to call attention to the character of the Bethany family, Lazarus and his sisters, the intimate friends of Jesus, to show... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 7:36-50

The woman who was a sinner. It is a truly lovely story which the evangelist tells—one of those passages in the life of Christ which we are never tired of reading, and as full of meaning as it is full of beauty. We may regard it from many points, and present its didactic force in many ways. Perhaps we shall best ensure the reception of its various lights by studying the portraiture of character which it gives. I. THERE IS SIMON THE PHARISEE —Jesus' host on the afternoon of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 7:36-50

Loving and forgiving. The peculiarity of Oriental customs, together with the earnestness and eagerness of this penitent, will account for her effecting an entrance into the house of this Pharisee, and gaining access to the feet of our Lord. The lessons we gain from this most touching incident are— I. THAT THERE IS FREE AND FULL FORGIVENESS FOR THE WORST . It is somewhat striking that, although Old Testament Scripture abounds in passages which attest the greatness of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 7:36-50

Love the proof of pardon. The generation to which Jesus had come with his social gospel thought him too "free and easy" with sinners. The Pharisees thought he had no right to associate with publicans and sinners, although he did so to save them. But the wisdom of his policy would be justified by the conduct of his converts, and here we have a justification ready to hand. One of the Pharisees invited him to eat with him. He accepts the invitation, and is reclining at his table, when, lo! a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 7:38

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 . It had been, no doubt, with her a settled purpose for days, this presenting herself to the pitiful Master. She had been one of his listeners, without doubt, for some time previously, and that morning probably she made up her mind to approach him. He was a great public Teacher, and his movements would be well... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 7:38

Stood at his feet behind him - They reclined, at their meals, on their left side, and their feet, therefore, were extended from the table, so that persons could easily approach them. See the notes at Matthew 23:6.Began to wash his feet - The Jews wore sandals. These were taken off when they entered a house. It was an act of hospitality and kindness to wash the feet of a guest. “She” therefore began to show her love for the Saviour, and at the same time her humility and penitence, by pouring... read more

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