King James Version

What Does Luke 7:44 Mean?

Luke 7:44 in the King James Version says “And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no wa... — study this verse from Luke chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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 · KJV


Context

42

And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?

43

Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

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.

45

Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.

46

My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jesus applies parable by contrasting Simon's minimal hospitality with woman's extravagant devotion: 'And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman?' (Greek 'Blepeis tautēn tēn gunaika'). The physical turn and direct question focus attention. Jesus lists Simon's failures: 'I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet' (Greek 'hudōr mou epi podas ouk edōkas'). Foot-washing was basic hospitality—roads were dusty, feet in sandals became filthy. Host's failure to provide water showed disrespect. The contrast: 'but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head' (Greek 'hautē de tois dakrusin ebrexen mou tous podas kai tais thrixin tēs kephalēs autēs exemaxen'). She exceeded what Simon omitted, using tears instead of water, hair instead of towel.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern hospitality codes required hosts to provide water, often through servant's foot-washing. The custom honored guests and provided comfort. Simon's omission could indicate disrespect, oversight, or testing Jesus. The woman's extraordinary action—tears, hair, continuous kissing and anointing—contrasted sharply with Simon's neglect. Early church adopted foot-washing as humility symbol (John 13:1-17). The contrast illustrated that love's quantity corresponds to forgiveness's recognition.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do our actions toward Jesus reveal how much we appreciate His forgiveness?
  2. What 'basic courtesies' toward God do we neglect through familiarity or presumption?
  3. How does comparing ourselves to the extravagant woman challenge our worship's depth?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 39 words
καὶ1 of 39

And

G2532

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

στραφεὶς2 of 39

he turned

G4762

to twist, i.e., turn quite around or reverse (literally or figuratively)

πρὸς3 of 39

to

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

τὴν4 of 39
G3588

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

γυναῖκα5 of 39

the woman

G1135

a woman; specially, a wife

τῷ6 of 39
G3588

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

Σίμωνι7 of 39

unto Simon

G4613

simon (i.e., shimon), the name of nine israelites

ἔφη8 of 39

and said

G5346

to show or make known one's thoughts, i.e., speak or say

Βλέπεις9 of 39

Seest thou

G991

to look at (literally or figuratively)

ταύτην10 of 39

she

G3778

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

τὴν11 of 39
G3588

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

γυναῖκα12 of 39

the woman

G1135

a woman; specially, a wife

εἰσῆλθόν13 of 39

I entered

G1525

to enter (literally or figuratively)

σου14 of 39

thine

G4675

of thee, thy

εἰς15 of 39

into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὴν16 of 39
G3588

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

οἰκίαν17 of 39

house

G3614

properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics)

ὕδωρ18 of 39

water

G5204

water (as if rainy) literally or figuratively

ἐπὶ19 of 39

for

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τοὺς20 of 39
G3588

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

πόδας21 of 39

feet

G4228

a "foot" (figuratively or literally)

μου22 of 39

my

G3450

of me

οὐκ23 of 39

no

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἔδωκας·24 of 39

thou gavest me

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

αὕτη25 of 39
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

δὲ26 of 39

but

G1161

but, and, etc

τοῖς27 of 39
G3588

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

δάκρυσιν28 of 39

with tears

G1144

a tear

ἔβρεξέν29 of 39

hath washed

G1026

to moisten (especially by a shower)

μου30 of 39

my

G3450

of me

τοὺς31 of 39
G3588

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

πόδας32 of 39

feet

G4228

a "foot" (figuratively or literally)

καὶ33 of 39

And

G2532

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

ταῖς34 of 39
G3588

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

θριξὶν35 of 39

them with the hairs

G2359

of uncertain derivation; hair

τὴς36 of 39
G3588

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

κεφαλῆς37 of 39

head

G2776

the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively

αὐτῆς38 of 39
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

ἐξέμαξεν39 of 39

wiped

G1591

to knead out, i.e., (by analogy) to wipe dry


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 7:44 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 7:44 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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