Luke 7:44
And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
Luke 7:44 · King James Version
Meaning
The verse "And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head" comes from the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament of the Bible. In this passage, Jesus is dining at the house of a Pharisee named Simon when a sinful woman interrupts the gathering. Despite the Pharisee's judgement of her, the woman shows great repentance and love towards Jesus by washing his feet with her tears and drying them with her hair. Through this act, Jesus highlights the difference between the self-righteousness of the Pharisee and the humility and genuine love of the sinful woman. This verse reminds us of the importance of showing love, forgiveness, and compassion towards others, regardless of their past mistakes or societal status.
Theological Overview
In this verse, Jesus is contrasting the actions of the Pharisee Simon with the actions of a sinful woman who has come to show her love and repentance. The act of washing feet in biblical times was a common practice of hospitality, as people wore sandals and walked on dusty roads. By not offering Jesus water to wash his feet, Simon showed a lack of basic hospitality toward his guest. In contrast, the woman, who is often identified as Mary Magdalene, goes above and beyond by washing Jesus' feet with her tears and drying them with her hair. This act of humility and love signifies her deep repentance and gratitude for Jesus' forgiveness. The theological interpretation of this verse emphasizes the themes of forgiveness, repentance, and the importance of showing love and hospitality to others, even those who are considered outcasts or sinners. It serves as a reminder to all believers to approach God with humility and sincerity, seeking forgiveness for their sins and showing love and compassion to others.
Luke 7:44 in other translations
American Standard Version
And turning to the woman, he said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thy house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath wetted my feet with her tears, and wiped them with her hair.
World English Bible
Turning to the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered into your house, and you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head.
Douay-Rheims
And turning to the woman, he said unto Simon: Dost thou see this woman? I entered into thy house: thou gavest me no water for my feet. But she with tears hath washed my feet; and with her hairs hath wiped them.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Then he turned to the woman, and said vnto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entred into thine house, and thou gauest mee no water to my feete: but she hath washed my feete with teares, and wiped them with the heares of her head.