“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.”– Luke 7:38 (KJV)
“Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them.”– Luke 7:38 (NLT)
“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.”– Luke 7:38 (MSG)
What Does Luke 7:38 Mean?
In Luke 7:38, we are introduced to a powerful moment of humility and love. The verse describes a scene where a woman approaches Jesus with heartfelt sorrow, expressing her deep appreciation and repentance. Let’s explore this moment in detail to better understand its significance.
This woman finds herself at Jesus’ feet, literally and symbolically. The act of washing Jesus’ feet with her tears and drying them with her hair conveys a profound sense of humility. It shows her recognition of her own faults and the grace she believes Jesus offers. In Jewish culture, feet were considered dirty and washing someone’s feet was an act of servitude. Thus, this woman takes the lowest place, demonstrating her understanding of how much she needs forgiveness and love. She pours out her tears in an act of worship, acknowledging her shortcomings and her deep love for the one who forgives.
Luke 7:38 Explanation and Commentary
Examining this verse in-depth reveals layers of meaning that are rich and profound. This woman’s actions symbolize our own need for humility and repentance in our lives. While coming to Jesus, we too must recognize our shortcomings and approach Him with genuine sincerity. Her tears represent the weight of her sin and her desire for forgiveness, which resonates with all of us. Each tear can be seen as a reminder of our humanity, our imperfections, and our need for grace.
Jesus’ reaction is also noteworthy. He did not turn her away or rebuke her for her past. Instead, He welcomed her. This is a beautiful image of God’s unconditional love. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus invites all who are weary and burdened to come to Him. The message here is clear – regardless of our past, we can always seek Jesus. This woman, in her humility, found the grace she was looking for. There is an important lesson here about being vulnerable and genuine in our relationship with Christ. We do not need to hide our imperfections; we should bring them to Him instead.
When we look at the symbolism of anointing Jesus’ feet with perfume, it signifies an act of honor and devotion. Perfume was expensive, often representing one’s wealth or possessions. In giving this gift to Jesus, she demonstrates her willingness to surrender everything to Him. This action encourages us to consider what we hold dear and how we can offer those things to God in our worship. It’s about prioritizing our relationship with Him above all else.
This scene challenges us to reflect on how we express our love and appreciation for Jesus. Are we willing to humbly approach Him? Are we ready to let go of our pride and surrender our lives to Him? This story reminds us that love is often demonstrated through our actions and that genuine worship stems from our hearts.
Context of Luke 7:38
In understanding the context of Luke 7:38, we must recognize the setting in which these events take place. Jesus was dining at the house of a Pharisee named Simon. This setting is crucial because it highlights the stark contrast between the self-righteousness of the Pharisee and the humility of the woman. While Simon was focused on appearances and tradition, the woman focused on her heart’s posture toward Jesus, demonstrating that true devotion comes from within.
The Gospels frequently show how Jesus interacted with those considered outcasts or sinners. This was not just a social commentary, but it was also a demonstration of God’s love for everyone. People like the woman in Luke 7:38 often felt unworthy or marginalized, but Jesus broke down those barriers, offering acceptance and forgiveness. This speaks to us today as more than merely an account of an event, but as a reminder that Jesus is inclusive and transformative. Each of us has a place at His feet.
Simon, in the backdrop of this story, was judging both Jesus and the woman. He perceived her actions as inappropriate and questioned Jesus’ prophetic ability for allowing her to touch Him. This highlights our tendency to judge others based on our perceptions, rather than seeing their true heart. Jesus knew the woman’s heart and how much she had been forgiven, while Simon’s heart was hardened by judgment and pride. This reminds us of the importance of not becoming like Simon but to instead keep our hearts open to divine grace.
The cultural context surrounding foot washing further illuminates this story. Foot washing was a common practice in ancient Judea, especially for guests in a home. However, it was often left to the lowest servant. In choosing to wash Jesus’ feet with her tears, the woman flipped societal expectations on their head. This act emphasizes humility, the recognition of one’s status before God, and the ultimate act of servitude. This challenges us to consider how often we approach worship. Are we willing to humble ourselves and recognize our need for God’s grace?
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Luke 7:38
This verse contains several key parts that hold significant meaning. Let us take a closer look at each of these components to deepen our understanding.
The act of standing behind Jesus represents acknowledgment. She recognizes Jesus’ greatness and her own need for mercy. This illustrates how we should approach God—humbly and reverently. The act of weeping signifies her emotional response to her past and her recognition of Jesus as her Savior. In life, our struggles may bring us to tears, but those tears can lead us to the right path if we run to Jesus in our pain and regret.
When the woman washed Jesus’ feet with her tears, it is symbolic of her repentance. This is a true example of how repentance is not just about words but also about actions. She demonstrated the sorrow of her past sins and her desire to be renewed. Our own repentance should lead us to take tangible steps in acknowledging our shortcomings and seeking forgiveness through genuine worship.
The act of drying Jesus’ feet with her hair is loaded with significance. In that culture, women’s hair was often a symbol of honor and modesty. By using her hair, she was willing to forsake her dignity in order to honor Jesus. This prompts us to consider what we might need to let go of in order to fully embrace our relationship with God. Are we holding back because of our pride or societal expectations?
Finally, the pouring of perfume or ointment on Jesus’ feet speaks to the idea of sacrifice. It was not a cheap offering; it required sacrifice. In our worship, we should be willing to offer our best to God. This encourages us to think about how we give our time, resources, and hearts to Him. Full surrender means honoring God with our lives in meaningful ways.
Lessons to Learn From Luke 7:38
The story presented in Luke 7:38 carries profound lessons that we can apply within our own lives. A key takeaway is the understanding that humility sets the foundation for authentic worship. Just as the woman approached Jesus as a broken person seeking healing, we too must realize that we are all in need of grace. Our shortcomings do not disqualify us; instead, they create an opportunity for us to seek forgiveness and embrace God’s love.
This scene also challenges our affinity for judgment. Like Simon, we can easily fall into the trap of viewing others through a lens of critique rather than compassion. Each of us has struggles, flaws, and areas where we need mercy. This woman challenges us to look beyond appearances and recognize the value of every soul. We should embrace empathy, moving away from judgment, and welcome others to Christ.
Similarly, the woman’s expression of love teaches us the importance of taking action in our faith. Faith without works is dead (James 2:26). Our love for Jesus should lead us to serve Him passionately, whether that means reaching out to the needy, being involved in community service, or simply showing kindness to those around us. Each small act of love reflects our gratitude and devotion to Him.
Also, we learn about the value of vulnerability. The woman came openly and with sincerity, modeling how we should approach God. Our willingness to be vulnerable acknowledges that we don’t have everything figured out, and this is okay. We are called to come before Him as we are, no pretenses. Vulnerability paves the way for authentic relationships, both with God and with others.
As we reflect on this passage, we should remember that love and forgiveness flow both ways. Just as we seek forgiveness from Jesus, we must also extend that forgiveness to others. In doing so, we mirror the grace and mercy that God has shown us. Let us use this story as a reminder to forgive freely and love genuinely.
Final Thoughts
Luke 7:38 paints a beautiful picture of love, humility, and repentance. It invites us to reflect on our approach to Jesus, how we express our worship, and how we interact with others. The woman’s actions remind us that true worship comes from a place of heart and humility.
If we find ourselves feeling unworthy, we can take comfort in knowing that God’s love reaches to the lowest places in our hearts. We can approach Him confidently, ready to embrace His forgiveness and grace. In this ever-changing world, we need this reminder now more than ever.
Each day offers us opportunities to come to Jesus, wiping the feet of our past with our tears, honoring Him with our lives, and letting our love overflow. As we draw near to Him, we surrender fully—all our burdens, our pain, and our praise, just like the woman in this powerful story.
As we continue to explore our faith, let us take the time to learn from other Bible verses and stories. For more insights and reflections, we encourage you to look into God’s Promises, or explore the beginnings of creation in Genesis 1. Each verse unveils the depth of God’s love and His desire for us to draw near.