Luke 7:38
New International Version
As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

New Living Translation
Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them.

English Standard Version
and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.

Berean Standard Bible
As she stood behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears and wipe them with her hair. Then she kissed His feet and anointed them with the perfume.

Berean Literal Bible
and having stood behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with the tears, and she was wiping them with the hairs of her head, and was kissing His feet, and was anointing them with the fragrant oil.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil.

New American Standard Bible
and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, and began kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume.

NASB 1995
and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume.

NASB 1977
and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet, and anointing them with the perfume.

Legacy Standard Bible
And standing behind Him at His feet, crying, she began to wet His feet with her tears. And she kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume.

Amplified Bible
and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began wetting His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and [respectfully] kissed His feet [as an act signifying both affection and submission] and anointed them with the perfume.

Christian Standard Bible
and stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to wash his feet with her tears. She wiped his feet with her hair, kissing them and anointing them with the perfume.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and stood behind Him at His feet, weeping, and began to wash His feet with her tears. She wiped His feet with the hair of her head, kissing them and anointing them with the fragrant oil.

American Standard Version
and standing behind at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

Contemporary English Version
Then she came and stood behind Jesus. She cried and started washing his feet with her tears and drying them with her hair. The woman kissed his feet and poured the perfume on them.

English Revised Version
and standing behind at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
and knelt at his feet. She was crying and washed his feet with her tears. Then she dried his feet with her hair, kissed them over and over again, and poured the perfume on them.

Good News Translation
and stood behind Jesus, by his feet, crying and wetting his feet with her tears. Then she dried his feet with her hair, kissed them, and poured the perfume on them.

International Standard Version
and knelt at his feet behind him. She was crying and began to wash his feet with her tears and dry them with her hair. Then she kissed his feet over and over again, anointing them constantly with the perfume.

Majority Standard Bible
As she stood behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears and wipe them with her hair. Then she kissed His feet and anointed them with the perfume.

NET Bible
As she stood behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. She wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the perfumed oil.

New Heart English Bible
Standing behind at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

Webster's Bible Translation
And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

Weymouth New Testament
and, standing behind close to His feet, weeping, began to wet His feet with her tears; and with her hair she wiped the tears away again, while she lovingly kissed His feet and poured the perfume over them.

World English Bible
Standing behind at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and having stood behind, beside His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with the tears, and with the hairs of her head she was wiping, and was kissing His feet, and was anointing with the ointment.

Berean Literal Bible
and having stood behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with the tears, and she was wiping them with the hairs of her head, and was kissing His feet, and was anointing them with the fragrant oil.

Young's Literal Translation
and having stood behind, beside his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with the tears, and with the hairs of her head she was wiping, and was kissing his feet, and was anointing with the ointment.

Smith's Literal Translation
And stood at his feet behind, weeping, been to wet his feet with tears, and wiped with the hairs of her head; and she kissed his feet, and anointed with the perfumed oil.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And standing behind at his feet, she began to wash his feet, with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And standing behind him, beside his feet, she began to wash his feet with tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, and she kissed his feet, and she anointed them with ointment.

New American Bible
she stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment.

New Revised Standard Version
She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And she stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and she began to wet his feet with her tears, and to wipe them with the hair of her head, and she kissed his feet, and anointed them with perfume.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And she stood behind him at his feet, and she was weeping and she began washing his feet with her tears and wiping them with the hair of her head. And she was kissing his feet and anointing them with ointment.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
and stood behind at his feet, weeping; and she began to wash his feet with her tears; and she wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.

Godbey New Testament
and standing behind by His feet, weeping, began to moisten His feel with tears, and she wiped them with the hairs of her head, and she continued to copiously kiss His feet, and to anoint them with the myrrh.

Haweis New Testament
and standing at his feet behind him, began to water his feet with her tears, and to wipe them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the perfumed balm.

Mace New Testament
and stood behind at his feet weeping, bath'd them with her tears, wiped them with her hair, kissed his feet, and poured the perfume upon them.

Weymouth New Testament
and, standing behind close to His feet, weeping, began to wet His feet with her tears; and with her hair she wiped the tears away again, while she lovingly kissed His feet and poured the perfume over them.

Worrell New Testament
and standing behind at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and wiped them off with the hair of her head; and she kept kissing His feet, and anointing them with the perfume.

Worsley New Testament
brought an alabaster-box of ointment, and stood at his feet behind Him, weeping, and washed his feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Sinful Woman Anoints Jesus
37When a sinful woman from that town learned that Jesus was dining there, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume. 38As she stood behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears and wipe them with her hair. Then she kissed His feet and anointed them with the perfume. 39When the Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, He would know who this is and what kind of woman is touching Him—for she is a sinner!”…

Cross References
John 12:3
Then Mary took about a pint of expensive perfume, made of pure nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

Matthew 26:7-13
a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He reclined at the table. / When the disciples saw this, they were indignant and asked, “Why this waste? / This perfume could have been sold at a high price, and the money given to the poor.” ...

Mark 14:3-9
While Jesus was in Bethany reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke open the jar and poured it on Jesus’ head. / Some of those present, however, expressed their indignation to one another: “Why this waste of perfume? / It could have been sold for over three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her. ...

John 11:2
(Mary, whose brother Lazarus was sick, was to anoint the Lord with perfume and wipe His feet with her hair.)

John 13:5
After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel that was around Him.

1 Samuel 1:10
In her bitter distress, Hannah prayed to the LORD and wept with many tears.

1 Samuel 25:23
When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off the donkey, fell facedown, and bowed before him.

2 Kings 4:27
When she reached the man of God at the mountain, she clung to his feet. Gehazi came over to push her away, but the man of God said, “Leave her alone, for her soul is in deep distress, and the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me.”

Psalm 51:17
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

Psalm 56:8
You have taken account of my wanderings. Put my tears in Your bottle—are they not in Your book?

Isaiah 53:3
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.

Jeremiah 31:9
They will come with weeping, and by their supplication I will lead them; I will make them walk beside streams of waters, on a level path where they will not stumble. For I am Israel’s Father, and Ephraim is My firstborn.”

Ezekiel 24:16
“Son of man, behold, I am about to take away the desire of your eyes with a fatal blow. But you must not mourn or weep or let your tears flow.

Hosea 12:4
Yes, he struggled with the angel and prevailed; he wept and sought His favor; he found Him at Bethel and spoke with Him there—

Joel 2:12-13
“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” / So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

weeping.

Luke 6:21
Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.

Luke 22:62
And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

Judges 2:4,5
And it came to pass, when the angel of the LORD spake these words unto all the children of Israel, that the people lifted up their voice, and wept…

wash.

Luke 7:44
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.

Genesis 18:4
Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:

John 13:4,5
He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself…

and anointed.

Luke 7:45,46
Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet…

Ecclesiastes 9:8
Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.

Song of Solomon 1:3
Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.

Jump to Previous
Anointed Drops Dry Eyes Feet Flask Hair Hairs Head House Jesus Kept Kissed Kissing Learnt Notorious Ointment Pharisee's Poured Sinner Standing Stood Table Tears Wash Washed Weeping Wet Wipe Wiped Wiping
Jump to Next
Anointed Drops Dry Eyes Feet Flask Hair Hairs Head House Jesus Kept Kissed Kissing Learnt Notorious Ointment Pharisee's Poured Sinner Standing Stood Table Tears Wash Washed Weeping Wet Wipe Wiped Wiping
Luke 7
1. Jesus finds a greater faith in the centurion;
10. heals his servant, being absent;
11. raises from death the widow's son at Nain;
18. answers John's messengers with the declaration of his miracles;
24. testifies to the people what opinion he held of John;
31. compares this generation to the children in the marketplaces,
36. and allowing his feet to be washed and anointed by a woman who was a sinner,
44. he shows how he is a friend to sinners, to forgive them their sins, upon their repentance.














As she stood behind Him at His feet weeping
The phrase "stood behind Him" indicates a position of humility and reverence. In the cultural context of the time, it was customary for a disciple or servant to stand behind a master, signifying respect and submission. The Greek word for "weeping" is "κλαίουσα" (klaiousa), which conveys a deep, heartfelt sorrow. This woman's tears are not just a sign of emotional distress but also of repentance and devotion. Her position and tears reflect a profound acknowledgment of Jesus' authority and her own unworthiness.

she began to wet His feet with her tears
The act of wetting Jesus' feet with her tears is symbolic of cleansing and purification. In ancient times, washing someone's feet was a task reserved for the lowest servants, highlighting her humility. The Greek word "βρέχειν" (brechein) for "wet" suggests an abundance of tears, indicating the depth of her contrition and love. This act can be seen as a precursor to the spiritual cleansing that Jesus offers to all who come to Him in repentance.

and wipe them with her hair
In the Jewish culture of the time, a woman's hair was considered her glory and was usually kept covered. By using her hair to wipe Jesus' feet, the woman is performing an act of profound humility and self-abasement. The Greek word "ἐκμάσσειν" (ekmassein) for "wipe" implies a gentle, tender action, reflecting her care and devotion. This act signifies the laying down of her own glory at the feet of Jesus, acknowledging His superiority and her submission to Him.

Then she kissed His feet
The act of kissing Jesus' feet is an expression of deep reverence and affection. The Greek word "κατεφίλει" (katephilei) used here is an intensive form, suggesting repeated or fervent kissing. In the historical context, kissing the feet was a gesture of profound respect and submission, often reserved for royalty or divinity. This act underscores her recognition of Jesus' divine authority and her personal devotion to Him.

and anointed them with the perfume
Anointing with perfume was a sign of honor and consecration. The Greek word "μύρον" (myron) for "perfume" refers to a costly, fragrant ointment, indicating the woman's willingness to give her best to Jesus. In the historical and scriptural context, anointing was associated with setting someone apart for a special purpose, often linked to kingship or priesthood. By anointing Jesus' feet, the woman is acknowledging His messianic role and expressing her faith in His divine mission.

(38) And stood at his feet behind him.--The common usage of the East left the court-yard of the house open while such a feast as that described was going on, and there was nothing to hinder one who had not been invited from coming even into the guest-chamber. It is possible, indeed, that the feast may have been intentionally open to all comers. Our Lord's position has to be remembered as we read the narrative.

To wash his feet with tears.--Many different emotions may have mingled in the woman's soul. Shame, penitence, gratitude, joy, love, all find the same natural relief. The word for "wash" should be noted as implying a "shower" of tears. It may be noted that while the tenses for this and the "wiping" imply a momentary act, those that follow for the kissing and anointing involve the idea of continuance. The act, the sobs, the fragrance of the ointment, of course attracted notice.

Verse 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. It had been, no doubt, with her a settled purpose for days, this presenting herself to the pitiful Master. She had been one of his listeners, without doubt, for some time previously, and that morning probably she made up her mind to approach him. He was a great public Teacher, and his movements would be well known in the city. She heard he was to be present at a feast in the house of the rich Pharisee Simon. It would be easier, she thought, to get close to him there than in the crowd in the marketplace or in the synagogue; so taking with her a flask of perfumed ointment, she passed into the courtyard with others, and so made her way unnoticed into the guest-chamber. As she stood behind him, and the sweet words of forgiveness and reconciliation, the pleading invitation to all heavy-laden, sin-burdened ones to come to him for peace, which she in the past days bad listened to so eagerly, came into her mind, unbidden tears rose into her eyes and fell on the Master's feet as he lay on his couch; and, after the manner of slaves with their masters, she wiped the tear-wet feet with her long hair, which she evidently loosed for this loving purpose, and then quietly poured the fragrant ointment on the feet where her tears had fallen. It was the perfume of the ointment which called the host's attention to this scene of sorrow and heartfelt penitence.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[As]
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

she stood
στᾶσα (stasa)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2476: A prolonged form of a primary stao stah'-o; to stand, used in various applications.

behind Him
ὀπίσω (opisō)
Adverb
Strong's 3694: Behind, after; back, backwards. From the same as opisthen with enclitic of direction; to the back, i.e. Aback.

at
παρὰ (para)
Preposition
Strong's 3844: Gen: from; dat: beside, in the presence of; acc: alongside of.

His
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

feet
πόδας (podas)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4228: The foot. A primary word; a 'foot'.

weeping,
κλαίουσα (klaiousa)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2799: To weep, weep for, mourn, lament. Of uncertain affinity; to sob, i.e. Wail aloud.

she began
ἤρξατο (ērxato)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 756: To begin. Middle voice of archo; to commence.

to wet
βρέχειν (brechein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 1026: To moisten, rain, send rain. A primary verb; to moisten.

His
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

feet
πόδας (podas)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4228: The foot. A primary word; a 'foot'.

with
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

[her]
τοῖς (tois)
Article - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

tears
δάκρυσιν (dakrysin)
Noun - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's 1144: A tear. Or dakruon dak'-roo-on; of uncertain affinity; a tear.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

wipe [them]
ἐξέμασσεν (exemassen)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1591: To wipe, wipe (off) thoroughly. From ek and the base of massaomai; to knead out, i.e. to wipe dry.

with
ταῖς (tais)
Article - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

her hair.
θριξὶν (thrixin)
Noun - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 2359: Hair (of the head or of animals). Genitive case trichos, etc. of uncertain derivation; hair.

Then
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

she kissed
κατεφίλει (katephilei)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2705: To kiss affectionately. From kata and phileo; to kiss earnestly.

His
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

feet
πόδας (podas)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4228: The foot. A primary word; a 'foot'.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

anointed [them]
ἤλειφεν (ēleiphen)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 218: To anoint: festivally, in homage, medicinally, or in anointing the dead. To oil.

with the
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

perfume.
μύρῳ (myrō)
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3464: Anointing-oil, ointment. Probably of foreign origin; 'myrrh', i.e. perfumed oil.


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NT Gospels: Luke 7:38 Standing behind at his feet weeping she (Luke Lu Lk)
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