Topical Bible: The Feet: Reverence Expressed by Kissing

◄ The Feet: Reverence Expressed by Kissing ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical times, the act of kissing the feet was a profound gesture of reverence, humility, and submission. This practice is rooted in the cultural and religious contexts of the ancient Near East, where physical expressions of respect and honor were integral to social and spiritual interactions.

Biblical Instances and Symbolism

One of the most poignant examples of kissing the feet as an expression of reverence is found in the New Testament. In the Gospel of Luke, a sinful woman demonstrates her repentance and devotion to Jesus by washing His feet with her tears, wiping them with her hair, and kissing them. Luke 7:38 states, "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." This act signifies her deep remorse and recognition of Jesus' divine authority and mercy.

The act of kissing the feet is also seen as a gesture of submission and acknowledgment of one's own lowliness in comparison to the one being honored. In the cultural context of the Bible, feet were often considered the dirtiest part of the body due to the dusty and unpaved roads of the time. Thus, to kiss someone's feet was to place oneself in a position of extreme humility and servitude.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the ancient Near Eastern culture, feet were symbolic of one's journey and life path. The act of washing or kissing feet was not only a sign of hospitality but also an acknowledgment of the guest's importance and the host's willingness to serve. This cultural practice is reflected in various biblical narratives, where feet washing and kissing are acts of honor and respect.

The reverence expressed by kissing the feet can also be seen in the context of royal and divine homage. In Psalm 2:12 , the psalmist writes, "Kiss the Son, lest He be angry and you perish in your rebellion, when His wrath ignites in an instant. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him." Here, the act of kissing is metaphorical, representing submission to the authority of the Son, who is understood to be the Messiah.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the act of kissing the feet in the Bible underscores the themes of repentance, worship, and the acknowledgment of divine authority. It serves as a physical manifestation of the inner transformation and devotion that believers are called to exhibit in their relationship with God. The humility required to perform such an act is reflective of the Christian call to deny oneself and take up the cross, as Jesus taught in Matthew 16:24 .

Furthermore, the reverence expressed through this act highlights the believer's recognition of their own sinfulness and the need for divine grace and forgiveness. It is a reminder of the transformative power of encountering Christ and the profound change that such an encounter brings to the life of a believer.

In summary, the act of kissing the feet in biblical narratives is a rich symbol of reverence, humility, and submission, deeply rooted in the cultural and religious practices of the time. It serves as a powerful expression of the believer's relationship with God, characterized by repentance, worship, and acknowledgment of His supreme authority.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 7:38,45
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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Devotion to God.
... a yielding of the heart to him with reverence, faith, and ... Jesus stood a woman weeping
and washing his feet with her ... It is love and devotion expressed in action ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/how to live a holy life/devotion to god.htm

The Feast at Simon's House
... Acts of love and reverence for Jesus are an evidence of ... If she have washed the saints'
feet, if she ... and enriched with the boundless love expressed in Christ. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 62 the feast at.htm

The Monk Nilus.
... came to the neighbouring castle, and expressed his amazement ... The chamberlain was
filled with reverence when he saw him ... He came to him, fell at his feet, and said ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neander/light in the dark places/the monk nilus.htm

Introduction.
... or like Chalcedon, contrary to his expressed wish), and ... outward manifestation in
bodily acts of reverence will vary ... it would be natural to kiss the feet of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/introduction.htm

A Compendious view of the Christian Life.
... After having paid reverence to the discourse about God ... and closed mouth, by which
chiefly gentle manners are expressed. ... is better to slip with the feet than the ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter xi a compendious view of.htm

While the Foregoing Scene was Taking Place at the Vatican...
... and also, that her children may reverence her for ... in my brain,"a thought which gradually
expressed itself in ... picture to the inanimate form lying at his feet. ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xxix while the foregoing scene.htm

Imperial Tombs.
... the wish for a secretior latetra expressed by Nero ... columns were of bigio africano,
fourteen feet high ... setting aside dignity, self-respect and reverence for the ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter iv imperial tombs.htm

Who is the Rich Man that Shall be Saved?
... the things which seemed to have been expressed simply, and ... serving, she set herself
at His feet, devoting her ... be pained at his groaning; and reverence him when ...
/.../clement/who is the rich man that shall be saved/who is the rich man.htm

Concerning Salutations and Recreations, &C.
... as well as the other of our feet, show so ... the gospel, when those oaths became abolished,
expressed by Every ... they cannot lie, and so great reverence towards the ...
/.../proposition xv concerning salutations and.htm

A Traveler's Note-Book
... Nebuchadnezzar's vision,"the head of gold, the feet of miry ... music of to-day, the
awe and reverence before the ... The central idea of Jesus is expressed in the ...
/.../merriam/the chief end of man/iii a travelers note-book.htm