Luke 7:44 – “Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.'”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
In this verse, Jesus turns the focus of the conversation to the woman who had been silently weeping and anointing His feet with perfume. He contrasts her actions with those of Simon the Pharisee, who had failed to offer the customary hospitality. In Jewish culture, it was common for hosts to provide water for guests to wash their feet upon entering a home, as they wore sandals and traveled on dusty roads. The fact that Simon neglected this basic act of hospitality speaks volumes about his attitude toward Jesus.
In contrast, the woman didn’t just offer water—she used her tears to wash Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. Her actions reflect deep humility, love, and repentance. By pointing out the difference between Simon’s neglect and the woman’s devotion, Jesus is making a powerful statement: genuine love for God is demonstrated through humble, heartfelt actions, not through religious formalities or self-righteous appearances.
Historical Context
In ancient Middle Eastern culture, hospitality was not just a polite gesture—it was a deeply ingrained social obligation. A good host would typically offer a guest water to wash their feet, greet them with a kiss on the cheek, and anoint their head with oil. These actions were signs of respect and welcome. Simon’s failure to provide these customary acts shows that he did not truly honor Jesus as a guest, possibly reflecting skepticism or a lack of genuine respect.
By contrast, the woman goes far beyond what was expected. She uses her tears to wash Jesus’ feet, wipes them with her hair (a bold and culturally risky act), kisses His feet repeatedly, and anoints them with expensive perfume. In a society where women with bad reputations were often publicly shunned, her actions display remarkable courage and devotion. Her willingness to break social norms demonstrates her focus on Jesus and her awareness of her need for forgiveness.
Theological Implications
This verse teaches that true worship and devotion to God come from the heart, not from external religious duties or appearances. Simon, a Pharisee who prided himself on religious knowledge and moral behavior, didn’t even provide the basic signs of respect to Jesus. Meanwhile, the woman, a known sinner, displayed genuine love and repentance through her actions.
Theologically, this verse highlights the importance of humility. The woman’s tears and willingness to wipe Jesus’ feet with her hair symbolize her brokenness and recognition of her need for grace. In contrast, Simon’s failure to honor Jesus reveals his self-righteousness and blindness to his own spiritual need. The message is clear: those who are aware of their sin and come to God with humility will experience His grace, while those who think they have little need for forgiveness may miss out on the depth of God’s love.
This verse also emphasizes that actions driven by love and gratitude are more meaningful than religious rituals. The woman’s spontaneous and heartfelt actions stand in stark contrast to Simon’s formal but empty hospitality, showing that God values genuine worship over outward displays of religiosity.
Literary Analysis
Luke’s narrative structure intentionally contrasts the woman’s actions with Simon’s neglect. The repetition of details about foot washing, tears, and perfume reinforces the emotional and spiritual depth of the woman’s devotion. The fact that Jesus “turned toward the woman” while speaking to Simon adds dramatic tension, making the contrast even more striking.
Jesus’ question, “Do you see this woman?” is significant. On the surface, it seems obvious that Simon can see her, but Jesus is asking Simon to truly see her—not just as a sinner but as someone who is repentant and transformed by grace. This question exposes Simon’s failure to see beyond the woman’s reputation, while Jesus sees her heart.
The symbolism of washing feet is also important. In Scripture, washing feet often represents humility and service (John 13:12-17). By allowing the woman to wash His feet, Jesus accepts her act of worship and affirms that her humility and love are pleasing to God.
Biblical Cross-References
- John 13:12-17 – Jesus washes the disciples’ feet, teaching them about humility and service, which parallels the woman’s humble act of washing Jesus’ feet.
- Isaiah 57:15 – God dwells with those who are contrite and humble in spirit, highlighting the importance of a repentant heart.
- James 4:6 – “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble,” emphasizing the contrast between Simon’s pride and the woman’s humility.
- Psalm 51:17 – “A broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise,” reflecting the woman’s attitude of repentance.
- Luke 18:9-14 – The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, where the humble sinner is justified before God while the self-righteous Pharisee is not.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse is a reminder that genuine love for Jesus is shown through humility, repentance, and heartfelt devotion. The woman didn’t care about the opinions of others—she was focused solely on worshiping Jesus and expressing her gratitude for His forgiveness. Believers are called to have the same attitude, prioritizing their relationship with God over social approval or religious formalities.
This verse also challenges Christians to examine their hearts. Are we more like Simon, going through the motions of religious duties without truly honoring Jesus, or are we like the woman, offering our whole selves in worship? True faith involves more than knowing about Jesus—it requires a heart that is surrendered to Him.
Additionally, this verse encourages believers to extend grace to others. Simon saw the woman only as a sinner, but Jesus saw her as someone redeemed by grace. Christians are called to view others through the lens of God’s mercy and to welcome those who are seeking Him, regardless of their past mistakes.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is shown in Jesus’ acceptance of the woman’s worship. While others judged her based on her reputation, Jesus saw her heart and affirmed her repentance and love. This demonstrates that God’s love is not limited by our past—He welcomes anyone who comes to Him with humility and faith.
God’s love is also patient and compassionate. Instead of rebuking Simon harshly for his lack of hospitality, Jesus gently points out the contrast between Simon’s neglect and the woman’s devotion. This shows that God’s desire is not to condemn but to lead people to recognize their need for Him and experience His grace.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse highlights Jesus as the one who forgives and restores sinners. By accepting the woman’s act of worship, He shows that He has the authority to forgive sins and that He welcomes those who come to Him in repentance. His response to Simon’s judgmental attitude also demonstrates His role as a teacher who reveals spiritual truths through compassion and correction.
The woman’s actions foreshadow the kind of worship that Jesus desires from His followers: worship that is motivated by love, gratitude, and humility. Her story reflects the transformative power of Jesus’ forgiveness, which leads to a life of devotion and service.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Are there areas in your life where you may be going through the motions of religious practices without truly honoring Jesus?
- How can you cultivate a heart of humility and gratitude like the woman in this story?
- Do you sometimes judge others based on their past or outward appearance, like Simon did? How can you adopt Jesus’ perspective and see people through the lens of grace?
- What are some practical ways you can show your love for Jesus through acts of worship and service?
- How does this story encourage you to come to Jesus with your brokenness, knowing that He will accept and restore you?
Luke 7:44 is a powerful reminder that Jesus values heartfelt worship over outward appearances. It challenges us to recognize our need for His forgiveness, respond with love and gratitude, and extend grace to others. Just like the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet, we are called to lay aside our pride and worship Him with humble, repentant hearts.