Luke 7:46

KJV

My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.

KJV (with Strong's)

My {G3450} head {G2776} with oil {G1637} thou didst {G218} not {G3756} anoint {G218}: but {G1161} this woman {G3778}{G846} hath anointed {G218} my {G3450} feet {G4228} with ointment {G3464}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You didn't put oil on my head, but this woman poured perfume on my feet!

Berean Standard Bible

You did not anoint My head with oil, but she has anointed My feet with perfume.

American Standard Version

My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but she hath anointed my feet with ointment.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 7:46 captures Jesus' poignant contrast between the inadequate hospitality of Simon the Pharisee and the lavish, heartfelt devotion of a "sinful woman." This verse serves as a crucial point in Jesus' teaching on the nature of true love and gratitude, revealing that genuine faith is expressed not through perfunctory social customs, but through profound humility and sacrificial worship in response to the grace of forgiveness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within the broader narrative of [Luke 7:36-50](/luke/7-36-50 "Luke 7:36-50 - The Anointing of Jesus' Feet"), where Jesus is invited to dine at the home of Simon, a prominent Pharisee. The scene unfolds with the unexpected entrance of a woman, identified as a "sinner" in the city, who approaches Jesus from behind. Overcome with emotion, she begins to weep, washing Jesus' feet with her tears, wiping them with her hair, kissing them repeatedly, and anointing them with costly ointment. Simon, observing this, silently judges Jesus, questioning His prophetic discernment if He would allow such a woman to touch Him ([Luke 7:39](/luke/7-39 "Luke 7:39 - Simon's Internal Questioning")). Jesus, perceiving Simon's thoughts, responds with the [parable of the two debtors](/luke/7-41-43 "Luke 7:41-43 - The Parable of the Two Debtors"), illustrating that those who are forgiven much will love much. He then directly contrasts Simon's lack of basic hospitality with the woman's extravagant acts of devotion in [Luke 7:44-45](/luke/7-44-45 "Luke 7:44-45 - Jesus Contrasts Simon and the Woman"), setting the stage for the specific rebuke and commendation found in verse 46.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Hospitality was a deeply ingrained and highly valued cultural norm in ancient Israel and the broader Near East. Upon a guest's arrival, a host was expected to offer water for washing dusty feet, a kiss of greeting, and an anointing of the head with olive oil, particularly for an honored guest. These were not mere courtesies but significant expressions of respect, welcome, and honor. Simon, as the host and a Pharisee, would have been acutely aware of these customs, yet he conspicuously omitted them for Jesus. The "oil" (Greek: _elaion_) for the head was common, inexpensive olive oil. In contrast, the "ointment" (Greek: _myron_) used by the woman was a costly, fragrant perfume, typically reserved for special occasions or burial preparations, signifying extreme honor, luxury, or profound devotion. The woman's public status as a "sinful" would have made her actions, particularly touching a religious teacher, highly scandalous in the eyes of society, further highlighting the radical nature of her devotion and Jesus' acceptance.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within [Luke's Gospel](/luke/1 "The Gospel of Luke"):
* **True Discipleship and the Heart:** Luke frequently emphasizes that outward religious observance is secondary to the condition of the heart. Simon, a religious leader, fails to demonstrate genuine love or hospitality, while the "sinner" displays profound devotion, illustrating that God values a contrite and loving heart over social standing or ritualistic adherence. This aligns with Jesus' consistent teaching that the [first and greatest commandment](/matthew/22-37-38 "Matthew 22:37-38 - The Greatest Commandment") is to love God with all one's heart.
* **Forgiveness and Love:** The woman's extravagant actions are presented as a direct outflow of her deep gratitude for the forgiveness she has received or yearned for. Jesus explicitly states in [Luke 7:47](/luke/7-47 "Luke 7:47 - Forgiveness and Love") that "her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same doth love little." This highlights the reciprocal relationship between experiencing God's grace and responding with fervent love.
* **Jesus' Authority to Forgive Sins:** The narrative implicitly and explicitly affirms Jesus' divine authority. Simon's internal questioning revolves around Jesus' knowledge of the woman's sinfulness, implying a challenge to His prophetic status. However, Jesus' ability to perceive Simon's thoughts and, more importantly, to declare the woman's sins forgiven ([Luke 7:48](/luke/7-48 "Luke 7:48 - Jesus Forgives the Woman's Sins")), unequivocally demonstrates His unique divine prerogative, a theme central to [Luke's portrayal of Jesus](/luke/5-20-24 "Luke 5:20-24 - Jesus Forgives the Paralytic").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **anoint (Greek, _aleíphō'_):** This verb (G218) means "to oil (with perfume)." It refers to the act of rubbing or smearing with oil or ointment, often for refreshment, honor, or healing. In this context, it highlights the customary act of hospitality that Simon neglected and the extraordinary act of devotion performed by the woman. The repetition of this verb underscores the direct comparison Jesus is making.
* **oil (Greek, _élaion'_):** This noun (G1637) specifically refers to "olive oil." It was the common, inexpensive oil used for daily purposes, including anointing the head as a sign of respect and refreshment for guests. Simon's failure to provide this basic courtesy speaks volumes about his lack of honor towards Jesus.
* **ointment (Greek, _mýron'_):** This noun (G3464) denotes "perfumed oil" or "myrrh." Unlike common olive oil, _myron_ was a costly, luxurious, and fragrant substance. The woman's use of _myron_ on Jesus' feet, rather than His head, signifies an act of profound humility, extravagant worship, and sacrificial love, far exceeding any expected social courtesy.
* **but (Greek, _dé'_):** This particle (G1161) serves as an adversative or continuative conjunction, here emphasizing a strong contrast. It sharply delineates Simon's omission from the woman's action, highlighting the fundamental difference in their attitudes and expressions of devotion. "But" signals the pivot from Simon's failure to the woman's profound success in demonstrating love.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"My head with oil thou didst not anoint:"** This clause directly addresses Simon, the host, and points out his failure to perform a basic, expected act of hospitality. Anointing the head with common olive oil was a customary sign of welcome and honor for a guest, especially an esteemed one. Simon's omission reveals a lack of genuine respect, warmth, or recognition of Jesus' true identity, despite inviting Him to his home. It exposes a perfunctory, perhaps even condescending, attitude.
* **"but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment."** This contrasting clause highlights the "sinful woman's" extraordinary and unexpected act of devotion. Instead of the head, she anoints Jesus' feet—a humble act. Instead of common oil, she uses expensive ointment. Her actions are not merely customary but are an overflowing expression of profound love, humility, and gratitude, demonstrating a depth of devotion that far surpasses Simon's formal, yet hollow, hospitality. The contrast underscores the woman's recognition of Jesus' worth and her overwhelming response to His grace.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is rich in **Contrast**, serving as the primary literary device. Jesus juxtaposes Simon's lack of hospitality ("My head with oil thou didst not anoint") with the woman's extravagant devotion ("but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment"). This contrast is multifaceted: it involves the recipient of the anointing (head vs. feet), the substance used (common oil vs. costly ointment), and the underlying motive (perfunctory duty vs. heartfelt love). This sharp distinction reveals the spiritual state of each individual. There is also **Irony** present, as the religious leader, Simon, fails to extend basic honor, while the socially marginalized "sinner" demonstrates true reverence and love. The **Symbolism** of the oil and ointment is also significant: common oil symbolizes expected honor, while the costly ointment symbolizes sacrificial, extravagant love and profound devotion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 7:46 profoundly illustrates that God's assessment of a person is based not on outward status or adherence to social customs, but on the genuine condition of the heart and the depth of one's love and gratitude in response to His grace. Simon's failure to offer common courtesies, while seemingly minor, exposed a heart devoid of true honor or appreciation for Jesus. Conversely, the woman's lavish and humble acts, though scandalous to onlookers, revealed a heart overflowing with love born from a deep awareness of her sin and the immense forgiveness she received. This narrative teaches that true worship and devotion are not measured by the quantity of religious acts, but by the quality of the heart's surrender and the sincerity of its gratitude for divine mercy.

* [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - God Looks at the Heart")
* [Hosea 6:6](/hosea/6-6 "Hosea 6:6 - Mercy, Not Sacrifice")
* [Matthew 26:6-13](/matthew/26-6-13 "Matthew 26:6-13 - The Anointing at Bethany")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 7:46 challenges us to deeply examine the nature of our own devotion to Jesus Christ. Are we like Simon, offering only what is minimally required or socially expected, perhaps even with a critical spirit? Or are we like the woman, whose heart, overwhelmed by the grace of forgiveness, pours out extravagant, humble, and sacrificial love? This verse calls us beyond a superficial or dutiful faith to a vibrant, heartfelt response to God's immense mercy. It reminds us that true worship is not about outward performance but about an internal posture of gratitude that compels us to give our best, even our most precious, to the One who has forgiven us so much. Our love for Christ should be a direct reflection of our appreciation for His saving work in our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be like Simon, offering only perfunctory or expected acts of devotion rather than genuine, heartfelt worship?**
* **What "costly ointment" (time, talent, resources, reputation) am I holding back from Jesus, and what might it look like to offer it to Him in humble, extravagant devotion?**
* **How does my daily life reflect the depth of my gratitude for the forgiveness I have received from Christ?**
* **Am I more concerned with external appearances and the judgment of others, or with cultivating an internal heart of love and humility before God?**

### FAQ

**Why was anointing with oil a common practice, and what was the difference between "oil" and "ointment"?**

Answer: Anointing with oil was a fundamental act of hospitality and refreshment in the ancient Near East. Upon arrival, guests, especially honored ones, would have their feet washed and their heads anointed with common olive oil (Greek: _elaion_). This was for hygiene, comfort, and as a sign of honor and welcome. The "ointment" (Greek: _myron_), however, was a distinct and much more valuable substance. It was a costly, fragrant perfume, often made from rare spices and resins, used for special occasions, medicinal purposes, or burial preparations. Simon's failure to provide the common _elaion_ for Jesus' head indicated a lack of basic respect, while the woman's use of precious _myron_ on Jesus' feet demonstrated an extraordinary, humble, and sacrificial act of profound honor and devotion.

**What is the significance of the woman anointing Jesus' feet rather than His head?**

Answer: Anointing the head was the customary way to honor a guest. The woman's choice to anoint Jesus' feet was deeply significant. Feet were considered the lowest and dirtiest part of the body, and washing or anointing them was typically the task of the lowest servant. By anointing Jesus' feet, and then wiping them with her hair (a woman's glory, usually kept covered), the woman displayed profound humility, self-abasement, and reverence. It was an act of worship that transcended social norms and demonstrated her complete surrender and devotion to Jesus, recognizing His supreme worthiness even as she humbled herself to the lowest possible position before Him. This act of humility mirrors the example Jesus Himself would later set by [washing His disciples' feet](/john/13-1-17 "John 13:1-17 - Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 7:46, though a narrative of human interaction, powerfully points to the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the one whose worthiness transcends all earthly customs and whose divine authority enables Him to forgive sins. Simon's failure to offer common oil for Jesus' head underscores humanity's inherent inability to truly honor God on its own terms; only a heart transformed by grace can offer genuine worship. The woman's extravagant anointing of Jesus' feet with costly ointment, born of a profound awareness of her great forgiveness, foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Christ Himself. Her act of love, praised by Jesus, becomes a living parable of the Christian's response to the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). It is because of Christ's atoning work on the cross that forgiveness is made possible, eliciting such overwhelming gratitude and devotion. He is the one who not only pronounces forgiveness but embodies it, having [borne our sins in His own body on the tree](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - Christ Bore Our Sins"). Thus, the woman's humble, sacrificial love is the proper and Christ-centered response to the one who has [loved us and given Himself up for us](/ephesians/5-2 "Ephesians 5:2 - Christ's Love and Sacrifice"), proving that true devotion flows from the heart's experience of His boundless grace.

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

Psalms 23:5

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Ecclesiastes 9:8

Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.

Matthew 6:17

But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;

Ruth 3:3

Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: [but] make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.

2 Samuel 14:2

And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead:

Psalms 104:15

And wine [that] maketh glad the heart of man, [and] oil to make [his] face to shine, and bread [which] strengtheneth man's heart.

Daniel 10:3

I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.