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 7:44KJV
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Luke 7:44 (KJV)

What does Luke 7:44 mean?

Luke 7:44 shows Jesus turning to a woman and pointing out to Simon, his host, that while Simon did not offer him water to wash his feet, the woman washed Jesus’ feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. Jesus is highlighting the woman’s deep humility and care compared to Simon’s lack of hospitality.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking directly to Simon the Pharisee while drawing attention to the woman who had come in and shown great emotion and respect. In the culture of that time, offering water for a guest’s feet was a basic act of hospitality, since people wore sandals and walked dusty roads. By contrasting Simon’s actions with the woman’s, Jesus is making a point about true honor and love.

The Greek behind Luke 7:44

  • The word for "tears" is δάκρυσιν (dakrysin), which means literal tears. The Greek here emphasizes the woman’s genuine emotion, not just a symbolic gesture.
  • The verb "wiped" is ἐξέμαξεν (exemaxen), meaning to wipe or dry off. The use of her own hair (θριξίν, thrixin) underlines her humility, since letting down one’s hair in public was considered undignified for a woman in that culture.
  • The phrase "gavest me no water" uses ὕδωρ (hydor) for water, showing that Simon neglected a common courtesy expected from a host.

Why Luke 7:44 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that outward status or religious position guarantees true hospitality or love; Jesus points out that real honor comes from the heart, not just social custom.
  • Luke 7:44 connects to the wider story where Jesus contrasts the attitudes of Simon and the woman, teaching about forgiveness, gratitude, and humility.
  • The verse highlights the importance of small acts of kindness and how they can reveal a person’s true character and relationship to God.

Where else these words appear

“wiped” Greek G1591 · used in 5 verses

  • Luke 7:38 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.
  • John 11:2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
  • John 12:3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.

“washed” Greek G1026 · used in 6 verses

  • Matthew 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
  • Luke 7:38 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.
  • James 5:17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

“tears” Greek G1144 · used in 11 verses

  • Mark 9:24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
  • Acts 20:31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
  • Hebrews 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

“hairs” Greek G2359 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 3:4 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
  • Luke 7:38 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.
  • John 12:3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.