Luke 7:39

"Standing behind at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment."

Key Reflection

Standing behind Jesus weeping, this woman demonstrated a profound act of humility and devotion by washing his feet with her tears, wiping them with her hair, kissing his feet, and anointing them with ointment. In first-century Jewish culture, washing one's feet was typically the task of a servant, making this woman’s actions a powerful symbol of her deep repentance and respect for Jesus, despite societal norms that would have deemed such behavior scandalous.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 39. He spake within himself. Thought. If he were a prophet. The word prophet here means, not one who predicts future events, but one who knows the hearts of men. If Jesus had been sent from God as a prophet, he supposed that he would have known the character of the woman and would have rebuked her. Would have known, etc. Because Jesus did not rebuke her and drive her from his presence, he inferred that he could not be acquainted with her character. The Pharisees considered it improper to hold communion with those who were notorious sinners.

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