Luke 7:45

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou gavest {G1325} me {G3427} no {G3756} kiss {G5370}: but {G1161} this woman {G3778}{G846} since {G575} the time {G3739} I came in {G1525} hath {G1257} not {G3756} ceased {G1257} to kiss {G2705} my {G3450} feet {G4228}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You didn't give me a kiss; but from the time I arrived, this woman has not stopped kissing my feet!

Berean Standard Bible

You did not greet Me with a kiss, but she has not stopped kissing My feet since I arrived.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 7:45 captures a pivotal moment in Jesus' encounter with Simon the Pharisee and a repentant woman, serving as a powerful illustration of contrasting responses to divine grace. Jesus directly confronts Simon's judgmentalism and lack of basic hospitality by highlighting the woman's profound and unceasing acts of devotion, which stemmed from her deep understanding and experience of forgiveness. This verse underscores the spiritual truth that the depth of one's love and gratitude for Christ is directly proportional to the realization of the forgiveness received.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within the narrative of [Luke 7:36-50](/luke/7-36-50 "Luke 7:36-50 - The Woman Who Anointed Jesus' Feet"), where Jesus is invited to dine at the house of Simon, a leading Pharisee. The scene unfolds with the unexpected arrival of a woman, identified by the city as a "sinner," who approaches Jesus from behind, weeping and washing His feet with her tears, drying them with her hair, kissing them, and anointing them with costly perfume. Simon, observing this, inwardly questions Jesus' prophetic credentials, reasoning that if Jesus were truly a prophet, He would know the woman's sinful reputation and not allow her to touch Him. In response, Jesus tells Simon the [parable of the two debtors](/luke/7-41-43 "Luke 7:41-43 - The Parable of the Two Debtors"), illustrating that the one who is forgiven much will love much. Luke 7:45 then serves as Jesus' direct, rhetorical question and indictment of Simon, drawing a stark comparison between Simon's failure in hospitality and the woman's extravagant devotion, setting up the profound theological conclusion in [Luke 7:47](/luke/7-47 "Luke 7:47 - Forgiveness and Love").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern culture, hospitality was a sacred duty and a deeply ingrained social custom. A host was expected to offer specific courtesies to a guest: a kiss of greeting (often on the cheek or hand), water for washing dusty feet (a common practice due to sandals and unpaved roads), and oil for anointing the head (a refreshing and honorable gesture). Simon, as a Pharisee and host, conspicuously neglected these customary acts toward Jesus, indicating a coldness, disrespect, or at least a lack of genuine welcome. The woman, on the other hand, a "sinner" (likely a prostitute or someone with a notoriously immoral reputation), transgressed social norms by entering a man's house uninvited and performing acts of intimate devotion. Her actions, though socially scandalous, were culturally understood as profound expressions of reverence and humility, far surpassing the expected courtesies that Simon failed to provide.
* **Key Themes:** This passage, and particularly [Luke 7:45](/luke/7-45 "Luke 7:45 - Simon's Lack of Hospitality Contrasted with the Woman's Devotion"), contributes to several major theological and narrative themes within Luke's Gospel. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **true hospitality versus superficial religiosity**, contrasting Simon's outward observance with his inward spiritual pride. Secondly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **love born of forgiveness**, demonstrating that a deep awareness of one's sin and the experience of God's boundless grace lead to fervent love and devotion, as summarized in [Luke 7:47](/luke/7-47 "Luke 7:47 - Much Forgiven, Much Loved"). Thirdly, the narrative emphasizes **humility versus pride**, showcasing the woman's brokenness and humility in contrast to Simon's self-righteous judgmentalism. Finally, it underscores the theme of **Jesus' authority to forgive sins** and His radical acceptance of outcasts, challenging the prevailing social and religious norms of His day.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **gavest (Greek, _dídōmi'_):** This verb (G1325) means "to give" in a very wide application. Here, Jesus uses it to highlight Simon's *failure to give* even the most basic and expected act of hospitality—a kiss of greeting. It underscores a deliberate omission, not merely an oversight, revealing Simon's underlying lack of warmth or respect.
* **ceased (Greek, _dialeípō'_):** From G1257, this word means "to leave off in the middle, i.e., intermit." The negative "hath not ceased" emphasizes the continuous, persistent, and unremitting nature of the woman's actions. Her kissing was not a single, polite gesture but an ongoing, fervent expression of devotion, highlighting its intensity and duration.
* **to kiss (Greek, _kataphiléō'_):** This verb (G2705) is a compound of *kata* (intensifying prefix, "down upon" or "thoroughly") and *phileō* ("to love, to kiss"). It means "to kiss earnestly" or "to kiss repeatedly and fervently." This is a stronger, more affectionate, and more passionate word than the simple *phileō* or *phílēma* (a noun for a kiss). Its use here vividly portrays the woman's lavish, overflowing, and unrestrained devotion, contrasting sharply with Simon's complete lack of even a simple customary kiss.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou gavest me no kiss:"** Jesus directly addresses Simon, pointing out his failure to extend the customary greeting kiss to his guest. This was a significant breach of hospitality, signaling a lack of honor and welcome. It reveals Simon's coldness and perhaps his internal judgment of Jesus even before the woman's arrival.
* **"but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased"**: This clause introduces a stark contrast, shifting focus from Simon's omission to the woman's continuous action. The phrase "since the time I came in" emphasizes that her devotion began immediately upon Jesus' arrival and persisted throughout the meal, highlighting the spontaneity and depth of her worship. The negation "hath not ceased" underscores the unremitting nature of her actions.
* **"to kiss my feet."**: The object of her fervent kissing—Jesus' feet—is significant. It is an act of profound humility and reverence, as feet were considered the lowest part of the body and often dirty. Her continuous, passionate kissing of His feet, rather than a customary kiss on the cheek, demonstrates an extraordinary level of devotion, adoration, and self-abasement, far exceeding any social expectation.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Luke 7:45 is **Contrast**. Jesus masterfully employs a direct comparison between Simon's glaring omissions and the woman's lavish actions. Simon, the host, failed to offer the expected greeting (a kiss), water for feet, or oil for the head, demonstrating a lack of honor and warmth. In stark opposition, the woman, an uninvited guest and social outcast, performed these very acts (washing with tears, drying with hair, and continuously kissing Jesus' feet, anointing with perfume) with an intensity and humility that far surpassed mere custom. This **Juxtaposition** highlights the spiritual truth that true devotion stems from a heart transformed by forgiveness, not from adherence to social status or religious pretense. Furthermore, the woman's actions are rich in **Symbolism**: her tears symbolize repentance and sorrow for sin, her hair (often a woman's glory) symbolizes humility and self-abasement, and the anointing oil symbolizes honor, worship, and perhaps consecration. Her continuous kissing (intensified by *kataphileō*) is a powerful symbol of profound love and gratitude.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 7:45 profoundly illustrates the theological principle that a deep awareness of one's sinfulness and the subsequent experience of God's boundless grace and forgiveness are the wellsprings of genuine love and fervent devotion. Simon, likely perceiving himself as righteous and having little to be forgiven for, exhibited minimal love and respect. The woman, acutely aware of her great sin, experienced radical forgiveness and responded with overwhelming gratitude and adoration. This dynamic challenges the notion that religious observance or social standing equates to spiritual devotion, instead emphasizing the transformative power of grace. It reveals that true worship is not measured by outward conformity but by the heart's response to the mercy of God.

* [Psalm 51:17](/psalms/51-17 "A Broken and Contrite Heart")
* [1 Timothy 1:15-16](/1_timothy/1-15-16 "Christ Jesus Came to Save Sinners")
* [1 John 4:19](/1_john/4-19 "We Love Because He First Loved Us")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 7:45 serves as a profound mirror, inviting us to examine the depth and authenticity of our own devotion to Christ. Are our acts of worship, service, and obedience born out of a profound, ongoing appreciation for the immense forgiveness we have received, or are they perfunctory, driven by obligation, or even a subtle sense of self-righteousness? The woman's extravagant, unceasing acts challenge us to move beyond mere social or religious customs and to offer Christ a love that is fervent, humble, and deeply personal. This passage also warns against the spiritual pride that leads to judging others, reminding us that those who recognize their great need for grace are often the most capable of extending it and demonstrating profound love. Our gratitude for salvation should inspire a love that is not only evident but also overflowing, mirroring the lavish devotion of the woman who "hath not ceased to kiss" the feet of her Savior.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be like Simon, failing to offer genuine honor or love to Jesus, perhaps due to pride or a lack of awareness of my own need for grace?**
* **How does my daily life reflect the "unceasing" devotion of the woman, or is my love for Christ more intermittent or customary?**
* **What specific acts of "lavish devotion" can I offer to Jesus today, in response to the forgiveness I have received?**

### FAQ
**Why was Simon's lack of a kiss so significant, and what did it symbolize?**

Answer: Simon's failure to offer a customary greeting kiss to Jesus was highly significant because it was a basic expectation of hospitality in ancient Near Eastern culture. It symbolized a lack of honor, respect, and genuine welcome. Far from being a mere oversight, this omission, coupled with his failure to provide water for feet washing and oil for anointing, revealed Simon's coldness and perhaps his underlying disdain or judgmental attitude towards Jesus. It sharply contrasted with the woman's overflowing devotion, highlighting Simon's spiritual pride versus her humble gratitude, as Jesus makes clear in [Luke 7:44-46](/luke/7-44-46 "Jesus Contrasts Simon's Actions with the Woman's").

**What is the deeper meaning behind the woman's "unceasing" kissing of Jesus' feet?**

Answer: The "unceasing" nature of the woman's kissing, emphasized by the Greek verb *kataphiléō* (to kiss earnestly or repeatedly), signifies the depth, sincerity, and continuous flow of her devotion. It was not a single, polite gesture but a prolonged, fervent act of adoration, humility, and gratitude. Her actions were a tangible expression of her profound repentance and her overwhelming love for the one who offered her forgiveness. This continuous act stands in stark contrast to Simon's complete lack of even a single customary kiss, underscoring that true love for God is a consistent and overflowing response to His grace, as seen in the principle articulated in [Luke 7:47](/luke/7-47 "To Whom Little is Forgiven, the Same Loves Little").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 7:45, while a direct comparison between two individuals, ultimately points to Christ as the source and object of all true devotion. Simon's failure to offer a kiss underscores humanity's natural inclination towards self-righteousness and a lack of true honor for God, a condition from which only Christ can deliver. The woman's unceasing, lavish acts of kissing Jesus' feet are a beautiful foreshadowing of the worship due to the Lamb of God, who alone has the authority to forgive sins. It is Jesus, the Son of Man, who came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "The Son of Man Came to Serve")). He is the one who bears the sins of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God")), and it is His sacrifice that makes radical forgiveness possible. Therefore, the woman's fervent love is the only fitting response to the immeasurable grace found in Him. Her actions prefigure the New Testament call to worship Christ with all our being, recognizing that "we love because he first loved us" ([1 John 4:19](/1_john/4-19 "The Source of Love")). In Jesus, the one who receives sinners and eats with them ([Luke 15:2](/luke/15-2 "Jesus Welcomes Sinners")), we find the ultimate host of grace and the worthy recipient of all our unceasing adoration.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Samuel 15:5

And it was [so], that when any man came nigh [to him] to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.

Romans 16:16

Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

2 Samuel 19:39

And all the people went over Jordan. And when the king was come over, the king kissed Barzillai, and blessed him; and he returned unto his own place.

Genesis 29:11

And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.

Matthew 26:48

Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.

Genesis 33:4

And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.

1 Thessalonians 5:26

Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.