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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
στᾶσα
stood
G2476
στᾶσα
stood
Strong's:
G2476
Word #:
2 of 31
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
παρὰ
at
G3844
παρὰ
at
Strong's:
G3844
Word #:
3 of 31
properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 31
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὀπίσω
behind
G3694
ὀπίσω
behind
Strong's:
G3694
Word #:
7 of 31
to the back, i.e., aback (as adverb or preposition of time or place; or as noun)
κλαίουσα
him weeping
G2799
κλαίουσα
him weeping
Strong's:
G2799
Word #:
8 of 31
to sob, i.e., wail aloud (whereas 1145 is rather to cry silently)
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 31
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ταῖς
G3588
ταῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κεφαλῆς
head
G2776
κεφαλῆς
head
Strong's:
G2776
Word #:
20 of 31
the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
21 of 31
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
23 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
25 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
27 of 31
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
28 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 9:8Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.Jeremiah 31:9They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.Genesis 18:4Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:
Historical Context
Foot-washing was servant's task—Jewish servants generally exempt, left to Gentile slaves. Hosts provided foot-washing for guests; the Pharisee's omission (Luke 7:44) showed disrespect to Jesus. The woman assumed servant's role, then exceeded it with tears, hair, kisses, perfume. Her extravagant devotion contrasted with host's minimal courtesy. Early church adopted foot-washing as humility symbol (John 13:1-17, 1 Timothy 5:10). The woman's action demonstrated love proportional to forgiveness received. Great sinners forgiven become great lovers of Christ.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the woman's extravagant devotion illustrate that great forgiveness produces great love?
- What would our lives look like if our worship matched our gratitude for forgiveness received?
- Why do 'respectable' people often worship less passionately than forgiven 'great sinners'?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The woman's actions: 'And stood at his feet behind him weeping' (Greek 'kai stasa para tous podas autou opisō klaiousa'). Her position—standing behind at His feet—shows humility and reverence. The weeping (klaiousa—sobbing, lamenting) evidences deep contrition. Her tears 'began to wash his feet' (Greek 'ērxato brēchein tous podas autou tois dakrusin')—copious tears requiring wiping. She 'wiped them with the hairs of her head' (Greek 'tais thrixin tēs kephalēs autēs exemassen')—letting down hair in public (shameful for women) demonstrates desperation trumping propriety. She 'kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment' (Greek 'katefilei tous podas autou kai ēleiphen tō murō'). The continuous action (imperfect tenses—kept kissing, kept anointing) shows prolonged worship. Reformed theology recognizes this as genuine repentance's fruit—broken contrition, self-humbling, costly devotion. True conversion produces dramatic transformation.