Luke 7:44
And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 39
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
στραφεὶς
he turned
G4762
στραφεὶς
he turned
Strong's:
G4762
Word #:
2 of 39
to twist, i.e., turn quite around or reverse (literally or figuratively)
πρὸς
to
G4314
πρὸς
to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
3 of 39
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 39
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 39
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔφη
and said
G5346
ἔφη
and said
Strong's:
G5346
Word #:
8 of 39
to show or make known one's thoughts, i.e., speak or say
ταύτην
she
G3778
ταύτην
she
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
10 of 39
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 39
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
15 of 39
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 39
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἰκίαν
house
G3614
οἰκίαν
house
Strong's:
G3614
Word #:
17 of 39
properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics)
ἐπὶ
for
G1909
ἐπὶ
for
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
19 of 39
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 39
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔδωκας·
thou gavest me
G1325
ἔδωκας·
thou gavest me
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
24 of 39
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
αὕτη
G846
αὕτη
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
25 of 39
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 #:
27 of 39
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
31 of 39
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
33 of 39
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 #:
34 of 39
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὴς
G3588
τὴς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
36 of 39
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κεφαλῆς
head
G2776
κεφαλῆς
head
Strong's:
G2776
Word #:
37 of 39
the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively
Cross References
1 Timothy 5:10Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.Genesis 43:24And the man brought the men into Joseph's house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their asses provender.Genesis 19:2And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.Genesis 18:4Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:Judges 19:21So he brought him into his house, and gave provender unto the asses: and they washed their feet, and did eat and drink.1 Samuel 25:41And she arose, and bowed herself on her face to the earth, and said, Behold, let thine handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern hospitality codes required hosts to provide water, often through servant's foot-washing. The custom honored guests and provided comfort. Simon's omission could indicate disrespect, oversight, or testing Jesus. The woman's extraordinary action—tears, hair, continuous kissing and anointing—contrasted sharply with Simon's neglect. Early church adopted foot-washing as humility symbol (John 13:1-17). The contrast illustrated that love's quantity corresponds to forgiveness's recognition.
Questions for Reflection
- How do our actions toward Jesus reveal how much we appreciate His forgiveness?
- What 'basic courtesies' toward God do we neglect through familiarity or presumption?
- How does comparing ourselves to the extravagant woman challenge our worship's depth?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Jesus applies parable by contrasting Simon's minimal hospitality with woman's extravagant devotion: 'And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman?' (Greek 'Blepeis tautēn tēn gunaika'). The physical turn and direct question focus attention. Jesus lists Simon's failures: 'I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet' (Greek 'hudōr mou epi podas ouk edōkas'). Foot-washing was basic hospitality—roads were dusty, feet in sandals became filthy. Host's failure to provide water showed disrespect. The contrast: 'but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head' (Greek 'hautē de tois dakrusin ebrexen mou tous podas kai tais thrixin tēs kephalēs autēs exemaxen'). She exceeded what Simon omitted, using tears instead of water, hair instead of towel.