Luke 7:37

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,

And {G2532}, behold {G2400}, a woman {G1135} in {G1722} the city {G4172}, which {G3748} was {G2258} a sinner {G268}, when she knew {G1921} that {G3754} Jesus sat at meat {G345} in {G1722} the Pharisee's {G5330} house {G3614}, brought {G2865} an alabaster box {G211} of ointment {G3464},

A woman who lived in that town, a sinner, who was aware that he was eating in the home of the Parush, brought an alabaster box of very expensive perfume,

When a sinful woman from that town learned that Jesus was dining there, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume.

And behold, a woman who was in the city, a sinner; and when she knew that he was sitting at meat in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster cruse of ointment,

Luke 7:37 introduces one of the most poignant and powerful encounters in the Gospels, setting the stage for Jesus' profound teaching on forgiveness and love. This verse describes the dramatic entrance of a woman, identified simply as "a sinner," into the house of Simon the Pharisee, where Jesus was dining.

Context

This event occurs during Jesus' ministry in Galilee, following a period where He had demonstrated His authority through healing the centurion's servant (Luke 7:1-10) and raising the widow's son at Nain (Luke 7:11-17). Jesus was invited to a meal at the house of a Pharisee, a common practice that often led to opportunities for teaching and challenging prevailing religious views. The presence of a known "sinner" in such a setting was highly unconventional and socially scandalous, highlighting the radical nature of Jesus' ministry and His willingness to engage with all people, regardless of their social standing or reputation.

Key Themes

  • Radical Acceptance and Grace: The verse immediately establishes the woman's reputation as "a sinner," a label that in Jewish society often implied a prostitute or someone engaged in habitual, public sin. Her desperate act of seeking Jesus, despite her social ostracism, underscores Jesus' unconditional love and willingness to receive those rejected by society.
  • Humility and Repentance: Though her actions are fully described in subsequent verses (weeping, washing Jesus' feet with her tears, wiping them with her hair, kissing them, and anointing them), this verse sets up her profound act of devotion. Her bringing of the "alabaster box of ointment" is a visible sign of her humility, sorrow for sin, and deep reverence for Jesus. It represents a costly sacrifice, an offering of her most precious possession.
  • Challenging Social Norms: The woman's uninvited entry into a private dinner, especially given her reputation, was a significant social transgression. This act, and Jesus' patient reception of her, starkly contrasted with the Pharisee's judgmental thoughts, setting the stage for Jesus' teaching on the relationship between love and forgiveness.

Linguistic Insights

The term "sinner" (Greek: hamartōlos - ἁμαρτωλός) used to describe the woman, indicates not merely someone who has sinned, but someone whose life is characterized by sin, often publicly. This adds weight to the social stigma she carried. The "alabaster box of ointment" refers to a flask made of alabaster, a soft, translucent stone, used to hold expensive perfumed oil. Such a container would typically be sealed and broken open for use, or stoppered. The fact that she "brought" it implies it was a deliberate, prepared offering, signifying her profound devotion and the significant cost of her act of worship.

Practical Application

Luke 7:37 reminds us that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace and forgiveness. The woman's courageous act, born of a desperate need and profound love, serves as a powerful example of true repentance and worship. It challenges us to look beyond social labels and reputations, to embrace the lost and broken, just as Jesus did. Furthermore, it encourages us to bring our most valuable offerings – whether material possessions, time, or our very lives – in humble devotion to Christ, knowing that true love leads to extravagant acts of worship and that God is faithful to forgive those who confess their sins.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Mark 14:3

    And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured [it] on his head.

  • Mark 14:9

    Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, [this] also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

  • Matthew 26:6

    ¶ Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,

  • Matthew 26:13

    Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, [there] shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.

  • Luke 7:37

    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,

  • Luke 7:39

    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.

  • Luke 5:32

    I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

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