King James Version

What Does Luke 7:39 Mean?

Luke 7:39 in the King James Version says “Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, woul... — study this verse from Luke chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

Luke 7:39 · KJV


Context

37

And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,

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.

39

Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

40

And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.

41

There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The Pharisee's internal response: 'Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner' (Greek 'ei ē houtos prophētēs, eginōsken an tis kai potapē hē gunē hētis haptetai autou, hoti hamartōlos estin'). The Pharisee's reasoning: true prophets would recognize sinners and avoid defilement. His unspoken conclusion: Jesus is either ignorant or indifferent, disqualifying Him as prophet. The irony—Jesus knows precisely who she is and demonstrates divine authority to forgive sins. The Pharisee's categories (clean/unclean, righteous/sinner) prevented him from seeing redemption and transformation. Reformed theology recognizes that self-righteousness blinds more effectively than notorious sin. The Pharisee's confidence in his own purity prevented him from recognizing his need for the forgiveness the woman sought.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Pharisaic purity laws avoided contact with sinners to maintain ritual cleanness. Touch from 'unclean' person defiled for remainder of day. The Pharisee expected Jesus to recoil from the woman's touch if He were truly a prophet. Prophets like Isaiah received divine knowledge; surely Jesus would know her reputation. The Pharisee's unstated conclusion—Jesus lacks prophetic insight. Yet Jesus demonstrates superior knowledge—He knows the woman's sin, the Pharisee's thoughts, and has authority to forgive. Early church faced similar accusations—associating with sinners supposedly invalidated Christian claims. Yet gospel power appears precisely in transformation of sinners, not avoidance of them.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does self-righteousness blind us to our own need for grace while making us judgmental of others?
  2. What false assumptions do we make about holiness requiring separation from rather than transformation of sinners?
  3. Why is Jesus's knowledge of both the woman's sin and the Pharisee's thoughts significant for understanding His authority?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 28 words
ἰδὼν1 of 28

saw

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

δὲ2 of 28

Now

G1161

but, and, etc

3 of 28

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Φαρισαῖος4 of 28

when the Pharisee

G5330

a separatist, i.e., exclusively religious; a pharisean, i.e., jewish sectary

5 of 28

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

καλέσας6 of 28

had bidden

G2564

to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)

αὐτοῦ7 of 28

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

εἶπεν8 of 28

it he spake

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

ἐν9 of 28

within

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ἑαυτῷ10 of 28

himself

G1438

(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc

λέγων,11 of 28

saying

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

Οὗτος12 of 28

This man

G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

εἰ13 of 28

if

G1487

if, whether, that, etc

ἦν14 of 28

he were

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

προφήτης15 of 28

a prophet

G4396

a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet

ἐγίνωσκεν16 of 28

would have known

G1097

to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)

ἂν17 of 28
G302

whatsoever

τίς18 of 28

who

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

καὶ19 of 28

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ποταπὴ20 of 28

what manner

G4217

interrogatively, whatever, i.e., of what possible sort

21 of 28

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γυνὴ22 of 28

of woman

G1135

a woman; specially, a wife

ἥτις23 of 28

this is that

G3748

which some, i.e., any that; also (definite) which same

ἅπτεται24 of 28

toucheth

G680

properly, to attach oneself to, i.e., to touch (in many implied relations)

αὐτοῦ25 of 28

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ὅτι26 of 28

for

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἁμαρτωλός27 of 28

a sinner

G268

sinful, i.e., a sinner

ἐστιν28 of 28

she is

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 7:39 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 7:39 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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