Luke 7:46 kjv
My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
Luke 7:46 nkjv
You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil.
Luke 7:46 niv
You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet.
Luke 7:46 esv
You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.
Luke 7:46 nlt
You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume.
Luke 7 46 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Luke 7:38 | "...standing behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to wet his feet with her tears..." | The woman's act of devotion begins before this verse. |
| Luke 7:44 | "You gave me no water for my feet... but she has wet my feet with her tears..." | Direct comparison of Simon's negligence to the woman's care. |
| John 12:3 | "Mary took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus..." | Another instance of a woman anointing Jesus' feet with costly perfume. |
| Mark 14:3 | "...a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she poured it over his head." | Similar act of lavish anointing, though on the head, signifying profound reverence. |
| Psalm 23:5 | "You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." | Anointing as a symbol of honor, blessing, and God's provision. |
| Amos 6:6 | "...and anoint themselves with the finest oils, but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph!" | Misuse or extravagance in anointing without true righteousness or empathy. |
| Luke 7:47 | "Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much." | Connects the anointing act directly to love as a response to forgiveness. |
| 1 Peter 4:8 | "Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins." | Reinforces the power of love and its connection to forgiveness. |
| Luke 18:9-14 | Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. | Contrasts self-righteousness with humility and true repentance before God. |
| Matthew 25:35-40 | "I was a stranger and you welcomed me... Just as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers..." | Illustrates the importance of practical acts of hospitality and service to Christ. |
| Romans 12:13 | "Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality." | Encouragement for believers to practice hospitality. |
| Hebrews 13:2 | "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." | Emphasizes the significance and divine recognition of hospitality. |
| 1 John 4:19 | "We love because he first loved us." | Love for God (and His Son) is a response to His initiating love/grace. |
| Romans 5:8 | "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." | The extent of God's love and forgiveness for sinners. |
| Luke 5:31-32 | "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick... I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance." | Jesus' mission to call sinners, implying Simon's self-perception of righteousness hindered his receptivity. |
| Galatians 6:7 | "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap." | Implies consequences for Simon's judgmental attitude and lack of hospitality. |
| John 13:4-10 | Jesus washes His disciples' feet. | Jesus' own example of humble service and foot-washing, which Simon neglected. |
| Luke 14:12-14 | Parable of inviting guests to a banquet, emphasizing humility and not seeking honor. | Indirectly challenges Simon's expectation of honor and his lack of genuine charity. |
| Psalm 133:2 | "It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the collar of his robes!" | The pleasantness and blessing associated with anointing. |
| Exodus 30:22-33 | Instructions for the holy anointing oil for tabernacle and priests. | Demonstrates the sacred, honorable, and set-apart nature of specific anointings. |
| Isaiah 61:1 | "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me..." | The purpose and divine authorization behind anointing for a special task or person. |
| Psalm 45:7 | "You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness..." | Anointing here associated with joy and divine favor, highlighting Christ's honor. |
Luke 7 verses
Luke 7 46 Meaning
Luke 7:46 details a profound contrast in hospitality and devotion. Jesus points out to Simon the Pharisee that Simon neglected the customary welcome of anointing His head with ordinary oil, a common courtesy for a guest. In stark contrast, the woman, whom society regarded as a sinner, expressed profound humility and lavish devotion by anointing Jesus' feet with costly perfumed oil. This verse highlights Simon's deficient respect and lack of true hospitality compared to the woman's extraordinary acts of love, repentance, and reverence, which flowed from her awareness of being greatly forgiven.
Luke 7 46 Context
Luke 7:46 is part of the narrative often referred to as "The Parable of the Two Debtors," although it precedes the formal parable and explains Jesus' interaction with Simon the Pharisee and a woman described as a sinner. Simon had invited Jesus to eat at his house, a common practice but here done, perhaps, with an underlying motive of testing or scrutinizing Jesus rather than genuine reverence. Simon omitted standard courtesies of hospitality: providing water for feet, a customary greeting kiss, and anointing the head with oil. While they reclined at the meal, a woman known for her sinful life entered, wept over Jesus' feet, wiped them with her hair, kissed them repeatedly, and anointed them with costly perfume. Simon silently condemned both the woman and Jesus, doubting Jesus' prophetic discernment. Jesus, knowing Simon's thoughts, then recounts the parable (Luke 7:41-43) to illustrate the relationship between the forgiveness received and the love expressed. Verse 46 directly contrasts Simon's hospitality with the woman's, laying bare Simon's lack of respect and gratitude versus the woman's abundant love stemming from profound repentance. This context highlights Jesus' understanding of the human heart, His mercy towards sinners, and His challenge to self-righteousness.
Luke 7 46 Word analysis
- You (σὺ, sy): Direct singular address to Simon. Implies a personal failure on Simon's part, as host.
- did not anoint (οὐκ ἤλειψας, ouk ēleipsas): From
aleiphō, meaning "to anoint, rub with oil," usually simple olive oil for hygiene and hospitality. The "did not" (οὐκ) indicates a specific failure or omission of a standard custom expected of a host. - my head (τὴν κεφαλήν μου, tēn kephalēn mou): The common and customary act of welcome for an honored guest was to anoint their head with olive oil. This was a mark of honor, respect, and refreshing.
- with oil (ἐλαίῳ, elaiō): Refers to common olive oil. Its omission by Simon highlights his lack of full courtesy or genuine honor towards Jesus.
- but (αὕτη δέ, hautē de): A strong adversative conjunction, "but this woman," emphatically drawing a contrast between Simon's actions and the woman's.
- she (αὕτη, hautē): Refers to the sinful woman, who in Simon's eyes was an outcast and unworthy, yet she performed an act of deep reverence.
- has anointed (ἤλειψεν, ēleipsen): Here, the same verb
aleiphōis used. However, it's followed by "perfumed oil," indicating a higher form of anointing than typicalelaion. - my feet (τοὺς πόδας μου, tous podas mou): Anointing the feet rather than the head suggests an extraordinary level of humility, reverence, and servitude. Feet were dirty from travel; caring for them was usually a servant's task.
- with perfumed oil (μύρῳ, myrō): Refers to costly, fragrant ointment or balm, often used for special occasions, significant honor, or burial preparations. The choice of "perfumed oil" and its application to the feet signifies extravagant devotion and profound reverence, far beyond common hospitality. The use of this specific term, contrasting with common "oil," underscores the immense sacrifice and love shown by the woman.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "You did not anoint my head with oil": This phrase underlines Simon's deficiency in extending standard, respectful hospitality. It implies a lack of honor and perhaps even a subtle dismissiveness towards Jesus. In Jewish culture, failure to offer these courtesies to a guest, especially one of Jesus' perceived standing, was a clear social slight. It indicates Simon's self-righteousness or a hidden agenda in his invitation.
- "but she has anointed my feet with perfumed oil": This starkly contrasts with Simon's inaction. The woman's act goes beyond customary hospitality; it is an act of humble, costly, and overflowing worship. Anointing feet was unusual, a task typically reserved for servants (cf. John 13). The use of
myrō(costly perfumed oil) instead of simpleelaion(common olive oil) amplifies the profound honor and sacrificial love she demonstrated. It speaks to the depth of her recognition of who Jesus is and her gratitude for forgiveness.
Luke 7 46 Bonus section
The contrast in this verse between "head with oil" and "feet with perfumed oil" is not just about quantity or location but also about the nature of the anointing. The head was usually anointed with everyday olive oil (elaion) for general comfort and honor. The feet were rarely anointed, and doing so, especially with myron (perfumed oil), indicated exceptional deference, adoration, and personal sacrifice. It showed a disregard for social norms and a focus entirely on Jesus' worthiness. Simon’s omission points to his failure to acknowledge Jesus as an honorable guest, let alone as a divine prophet or Messiah. The woman's lavish act on Jesus’ feet not only signifies humility but also foretells Jesus’ eventual burial anointing (Jn 12:7), linking her present devotion to the ultimate sacrifice for sin. This instance of anointing by a "sinful woman" is distinct from other anointings in the Gospels, particularly Mary of Bethany's, reinforcing the unique narrative of Luke focusing on Jesus' interaction with marginalized individuals.
Luke 7 46 Commentary
Luke 7:46 is the pivotal comparison within Jesus' rebuke of Simon. It reveals that outward observance or social standing does not equate to genuine reverence or a heart open to God's grace. Simon, a respected Pharisee, failed in basic hospitality towards Jesus, a subtle yet significant act of disrespect stemming from his self-perceived righteousness and judgment. His omission of anointing Jesus' head with common oil reflected a lukewarm reception. In profound contrast, the woman, publicly condemned as a sinner, expressed overwhelming love and adoration by anointing Jesus' feet with costly perfumed oil. This extreme act, typically a servant's task with expensive oil reserved for significant honor or burial, demonstrated her deep repentance, humility, and immense gratitude for the forgiveness she desperately sought and received. The verse underscores that love is a measure of forgiveness received; those who are acutely aware of their sin and the vastness of God's mercy will love much, often far more demonstratively than those who consider themselves less in need of forgiveness. This challenges the self-righteous to recognize their own spiritual poverty and prompts believers to express love in tangible, often sacrificial, ways in response to Christ's immeasurable grace.