Luke 7:46
My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
Original Language Analysis
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κεφαλήν
head
G2776
κεφαλήν
head
Strong's:
G2776
Word #:
3 of 13
the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively
αὕτη
G846
αὕτη
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 13
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
Cross References
Psalms 23:5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.Ecclesiastes 9:8Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.Matthew 6:17But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;Psalms 104:15And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart.Daniel 10:3I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.Ruth 3:3Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.2 Samuel 14:2And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead:
Historical Context
Olive oil anointing was common refreshment—cooling, cleansing, pleasant-smelling. Hosts anointed honored guests' heads. Expensive perfumes like nard, myrrh, or spikenard were luxury items, sometimes worth a year's wages. The woman's use of precious ointment on feet combined extravagance with humility. Early church wrestling with appropriate worship balance—costly churches versus simple meetings, liturgical vestments versus plain dress—could look to this account. True worship combines costly devotion with humble service.
Questions for Reflection
- How does combining costly sacrifice with humble service characterize authentic worship?
- What 'basic courtesies' in our relationship with Christ have we neglected through familiarity?
- How can we cultivate the woman's passionate devotion rather than Simon's cool propriety?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Third contrast: 'My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment' (Greek 'elaio tēn kephalēn mou ouk ēleipsas: hautē de murō ēleipsen tous podas mou'). Olive oil anointing of guest's head was standard hospitality—refreshing and honoring. Simon omitted this. The woman used expensive perfume (muron—precious ointment) on Jesus's feet (the lowly part rather than the honored head). Her action combined costliness with humility—expensive gift applied humbly. The three contrasts (water/tears, kiss/kisses, oil/ointment) progressively show how the woman exceeded what Simon neglected. Reformed theology recognizes that worship involves both elements: costly sacrifice and humble service. Romans 12:1 calls for presenting bodies as 'living sacrifice... your reasonable service.'