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Matthew Henry

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 7:44

And he turned to the woman ,.... That stood behind him at his feet, and said to Simon, seest thou this woman ? and what she has done? pointing to her, and comparing him, and her, and their actions together, whereby he might judge of the preceding parable, and how fitly it might be applied to the present case: I entered into thine house ; not of his own accord, but by the invitation of Simon, and therefore might have expected the usual civilities: thou gavest me no water for my... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 7:44

Thou gavest me no water - In this respect Simon was sadly deficient in civil respect, whether this proceeded from forgetfulness or contempt. The custom of giving water to wash the guest's feet was very ancient. See instances in Genesis 18:4 ; Genesis 24:32 ; Judges 19:21 ; 1 Samuel 25:41 . In Hindoostan it is the custom, that when a superior enters the house of an inferior, the latter washes his feet, and gives him water to rinse his mouth before he eats. See Ayeen Akbery, vol. iii.... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 7:44

Verse 44 44.And turning to the woman. The Lord appears to compare Simon with the woman, in such a manner as to make him chargeable with nothing more than light offenses. But this is spoken only in the way of concession. “Suppose now, Simon,” he says, “that the guilt from which God discharges thee was light, (244) and that this woman has been guilty of many and very heinous offenses. Yet you see how she proves by the effect that she has obtained pardon. For what mean those profuse tears, those... 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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 7:44

Seest thou this woman? - You see what this woman has done to me, compared with what you have done. She has shown me expressions of regard which you, in your own house, have not shown.I entered into thine house - I came at your invitation, where I might expect all the usual rites of hospitality.Thou gavest me no water for my feet - Among Eastern people it was customary, before eating, to wash the feet; and to do this, or to bring water for it, was one of the rites of hospitality. See Genesis... read more

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