What cultural significance does the act of kissing have in Luke 7:45? Setting the Scene in Luke 7 • Jesus is dining at the house of Simon the Pharisee when a woman “who had lived a sinful life” enters, weeping, anointing His feet, and repeatedly kissing them. • Luke 7:45: “You did not greet Me with a kiss, but she has not stopped kissing My feet since I arrived.” • Jesus contrasts Simon’s failure to give the expected greeting with the woman’s lavish display of devotion. Customary Greetings in the Ancient Near East • In first-century Jewish culture, kissing was a normal expression of welcome, honor, and covenant loyalty. • Placement mattered: – A kiss on the cheek or beard signified friendship and mutual respect. – Kissing the hand or feet indicated deep reverence or submission (1 Samuel 25:41). • Hosts were expected to provide three courtesies: water for feet, oil for the head, and a greeting kiss (Genesis 18:4; Psalm 23:5; Lu 22:47–48 for the kiss’s familiarity). • Neglecting the kiss would be interpreted as disregard—socially equivalent to a cold shoulder today. Kissing as a Sign of Honor and Affection • Scriptural snapshots: – Joseph reunites with brothers: “He kissed all his brothers and wept over them” (Genesis 45:15). – Samuel anoints Saul and “kissed him” to seal the divine appointment (1 Samuel 10:1). – The prodigal son’s father “embraced him and kissed him” (Lu 15:20). • A kiss embodied relational welcome, familial affection, and public affirmation. What the Woman’s Kisses Communicated • Repentance—her tears mingle with the kisses, echoing Psalm 2:12: “Kiss the Son, lest He be angry.” • Honor—she lowers herself to His feet, surpassing normal etiquette. • Gratitude—her continual action (“has not stopped”) points to overwhelming thankfulness for forgiveness. • Faith—she believes Jesus is worthy of the utmost reverence, picturing Romans 10:11: “No one who believes in Him will be put to shame.” Simon’s Omission, Jesus’ Interpretation • Simon’s missing kiss exposes a heart unmoved by Christ’s presence. • Jesus uses the cultural norm to reveal spiritual reality: little courtesy shows little love; extravagant kissing shows great love (Lu 7:47). • The contrast underlines that external religiosity without heartfelt devotion falls short. New-Testament Echoes of the Greeting Kiss • “Greet one another with a holy kiss” (Romans 16:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:26; 1 Peter 5:14). • The practice continues among believers as a symbol of unity, purified from romantic or manipulative connotations (contrast Judas’s counterfeit in Matthew 26:48-49). Takeaways for Today • Cultural gestures shift, yet the principle endures: genuine honor for Christ overflows in visible, humble acts. • Worship that costs nothing—no time, dignity, or resources—risks mirroring Simon. • Love that remembers the depth of forgiven sin gladly embraces public, even uncomfortable expressions of devotion, just as the forgiven woman kissed Jesus’ feet without restraint. |
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