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 7:44KJVWhat 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.