Luke 7:38 – “As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
In this verse, the woman with a sinful reputation expresses profound love and repentance as she anoints Jesus’ feet with her tears and perfume. Her actions are deeply emotional, and they reflect a heart overwhelmed by gratitude, humility, and sorrow over her past sins. She approaches Jesus from behind, indicating her reverence and respect, as she likely felt unworthy to face Him directly.
Her tears are not just a sign of sorrow—they are also an expression of joy and relief, knowing that she has found forgiveness in Jesus. By wiping His feet with her hair, she performs a gesture of humility and submission. In the cultural context of the time, women did not typically let their hair down in public, as it was considered improper or shameful. Yet, this woman is so overwhelmed with love and devotion that she abandons social conventions and offers Jesus her entire self, holding nothing back.
The perfume she pours on His feet is a valuable and costly offering, symbolizing her deep commitment and willingness to sacrifice for the One who has given her grace.
Historical Context
In ancient Jewish culture, a person’s feet were considered the dirtiest part of their body due to the dusty roads and the common use of sandals. Washing someone’s feet was typically a task reserved for servants, making the woman’s actions even more significant. By washing Jesus’ feet with her tears and wiping them with her hair, she is demonstrating extreme humility, similar to the role of a servant.
Anointing someone with perfume or oil was a common practice during important events, such as welcoming honored guests or preparing bodies for burial. The fact that the woman anoints Jesus’ feet rather than His head shows her understanding of her lowly position but also her recognition of Jesus as worthy of the highest honor.
Letting down her hair in public was a bold and socially risky act. Women in that time were expected to keep their hair covered or tied up, as uncovering it was considered a sign of intimacy or disgrace. This woman’s decision to let her hair down demonstrates her complete surrender and disregard for social judgment—her focus is entirely on honoring Jesus.
Theological Implications
This verse beautifully illustrates the nature of repentance and worship. True repentance involves not only feeling sorrow for sin but also turning to God with a heart that is ready to surrender everything. The woman’s tears represent her genuine remorse, while her actions demonstrate her faith in Jesus’ power to forgive and transform her life.
Her story shows that God’s grace is available to those who come to Him with humility. She didn’t try to justify her sins or earn forgiveness through good works—she simply came to Jesus in faith, trusting in His mercy. Her willingness to give up her costly perfume and disregard societal expectations reflects the idea that genuine worship involves sacrifice and devotion.
Theologically, this verse highlights that forgiveness leads to love. The woman’s extravagant display of affection is not an attempt to earn forgiveness but a response to the forgiveness she has already experienced. Her actions align with Jesus’ teaching that those who are forgiven much, love much (Luke 7:47).
Literary Analysis
Luke’s Gospel often highlights themes of reversal and unexpected grace, where those who are considered outsiders or unworthy are shown to have a deeper understanding of God’s love than the religious elite. This verse is a prime example of that theme, as a woman with a sinful past becomes the central figure in a lesson about forgiveness and grace.
The imagery in this verse is powerful. Tears, hair, kisses, and perfume all work together to convey a scene of deep emotion and worship. The woman’s actions are described in a way that emphasizes her complete devotion—she doesn’t just anoint Jesus’ feet; she weeps, wipes them with her hair, and kisses them repeatedly. This literary technique draws the reader into the emotional depth of the scene, highlighting the contrast between her genuine repentance and the Pharisee’s self-righteousness.
The use of the word “weeping” emphasizes the depth of her repentance, while the repetitive actions (weeping, wiping, kissing, anointing) show the intensity of her love for Jesus.
Biblical Cross-References
- Psalm 51:17 – “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise,” reflecting the woman’s heart of repentance.
- Luke 15:10 – There is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, showing how precious this moment is in God’s eyes.
- Matthew 26:7 – Another woman anoints Jesus with expensive perfume, demonstrating that extravagant devotion is a recurring theme in the Gospels.
- Luke 7:47 – Jesus explains that those who are forgiven much, love much, directly connecting the woman’s actions to the forgiveness she has received.
- Isaiah 61:3 – God gives beauty instead of ashes, a garment of praise instead of despair, symbolizing the transformation that comes through forgiveness.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse is a reminder that true repentance involves humility and a willingness to surrender everything to Jesus. The woman’s actions challenge believers to reflect on whether they are holding anything back in their relationship with God. Are we willing to set aside our pride, reputation, or material possessions to honor Him?
It also teaches that worship should be heartfelt and sacrificial. The woman’s extravagant devotion shows that worship isn’t just about going through the motions—it’s about giving our best to God, whether that’s our time, resources, or emotions.
This verse also reassures believers that no one is beyond the reach of God’s forgiveness. The woman’s sinful past didn’t prevent her from approaching Jesus, and it doesn’t prevent anyone today from experiencing His grace. All that is required is a heart that is willing to repent and trust in Him.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is shown in the way Jesus accepts the woman’s act of worship without hesitation or judgment. While others may have looked down on her, Jesus saw her heart and welcomed her expression of love. This demonstrates that God’s love is not based on our past but on His willingness to forgive and restore us when we come to Him in faith.
God’s love is also evident in the fact that He doesn’t demand perfection before offering forgiveness. The woman didn’t clean up her life first—she came as she was, with a broken and repentant heart. God’s love meets us where we are and transforms us through His grace.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse directly connects to Jesus’ role as the Savior who forgives sins and restores broken lives. The woman’s actions show that she recognizes Jesus as more than just a teacher—she sees Him as the one who can cleanse her of her past and give her a new start. Her faith in His power to forgive foreshadows the greater forgiveness that Jesus would offer through His death on the cross.
Jesus’ acceptance of the woman’s worship demonstrates His mission to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). His response to her humility and repentance reveals that He is the embodiment of God’s mercy, offering grace to all who come to Him.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Are there areas in your life where you need to humble yourself before God and seek His forgiveness?
- What does the woman’s willingness to sacrifice her costly perfume teach you about worship and devotion?
- How can you express your love for Jesus in practical ways that reflect the gratitude you have for His forgiveness?
- Do you ever hold back in your relationship with God because of fear of judgment from others? How can you overcome that fear?
- How does this story encourage you to trust that God’s love and forgiveness are available to you, no matter your past?
Luke 7:38 reminds us that forgiveness leads to love, and love leads to worship. The woman’s story shows that when we recognize the depth of God’s grace, we are compelled to respond with gratitude, devotion, and a willingness to give Him our best. It’s a call to lay everything at Jesus’ feet, trusting that His love will transform us from the inside out.