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Luke 7:39

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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.

Now {G1161} when the Pharisee {G5330} which {G3588} had bidden {G2564} him {G846} saw {G1492} it, he spake {G2036} within {G1722} himself {G1438}, saying {G3004}, This man {G3778}, if {G1487} he were {G2258} a prophet {G4396},{G302} would have known {G1097} who {G5101} and {G2532} what manner {G4217} of woman {G1135} this is that {G3748} toucheth {G680} him {G846}: for {G3754} she is {G2076} a sinner {G268}.

When the Parush who had invited him saw what was going on, he said to himself, "If this man were really a prophet, he would have known who is touching him and what sort of woman she is, that she is a sinner."

When the Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, He would know who this is and what kind of woman is touching Him—for she is a sinner!”

Now when the Pharisee that had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him, that she is a sinner.

Commentary

Context

This verse captures the silent, critical judgment of Simon the Pharisee, who had invited Jesus to dine at his home. Immediately preceding this, a "woman who was a sinner" (Luke 7:37), widely known for her immoral lifestyle, entered the house. She approached Jesus, weeping, and began to wash His feet with her tears, dry them with her hair, kiss them, and anoint them with expensive ointment. The Pharisee's internal monologue in verse 39 reveals his deeply ingrained assumptions about prophets, purity laws, and social standing. He believed that if Jesus were truly a prophet, He would supernaturally discern the woman's sinful nature and, consequently, avoid any contact with her to maintain ritual purity and social decorum.

Key Themes

  • Human Judgment vs. Divine Discernment: The Pharisee's thought highlights the stark contrast between human judgment, which is often based on outward appearance and social reputation, and Jesus' profound spiritual discernment, which perceives the heart and genuine repentance. The Pharisee misjudges Jesus' knowledge and purpose.
  • Purity Laws and Social Exclusion: This verse underscores the strict Jewish purity laws of the time, which often led to the social and religious exclusion of those deemed "sinners." The Pharisee's concern was less about the woman's salvation and more about ritual defilement and public perception.
  • Misconceptions about Jesus' Mission: Simon's reaction reveals a common misunderstanding of Jesus' identity and purpose. He expected a prophet to enforce traditional laws and avoid the unclean, whereas Jesus' mission was to engage with and offer salvation to the lost, broken, and marginalized. Jesus came to seek and save the lost, not merely to uphold existing social structures.
  • Grace Over Legalism: The scene sets the stage for Jesus to demonstrate His radical grace, contrasting sharply with the Pharisee's legalistic and self-righteous attitude.

Linguistic Insights

The term "sinner" (Greek: hamartōlos) used to describe the woman was not merely a general acknowledgment of human fallenness but a specific label applied to those who were publicly known for egregious moral transgressions, often referring to prostitutes or tax collectors. The Pharisee's use of this term carries a heavy weight of social condemnation and ritual impurity in his mind. His phrase "if he were a prophet" (Greek: ei ēn prophētēs) implies a challenge to Jesus' authority and divine insight, suggesting that a true prophet would possess immediate and complete knowledge of character and circumstances.

Significance and Application

Luke 7:39 serves as a powerful reminder of how easily religious piety can morph into self-righteousness and judgment. The Pharisee, focused on external purity and reputation, completely missed the profound spiritual transaction happening before his eyes. This passage encourages us to:

  • Examine Our Own Judgments: We are challenged to look beyond societal labels and outward appearances, recognizing that Jesus sees the heart, unlike human judgment, as echoed in 1 Samuel 16:7 where God looks beyond outward appearance.
  • Embrace Jesus' Compassion: It highlights Jesus' revolutionary willingness to engage with and extend grace to those considered outcasts and morally bankrupt by society. His mission was not to condemn but to save, as affirmed in John 3:17.
  • Understand True Discernment: True spiritual discernment, as demonstrated by Jesus in the subsequent verses, is not about avoiding "sinners" but understanding their deep need for forgiveness and offering the path to reconciliation.
  • Beware of Self-Righteousness: The Pharisee's internal monologue exposes the danger of a self-righteous attitude, which can blind us to our own need for grace and prevent us from extending compassion to others.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 7:16 (8 votes)

    And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.

  • Luke 15:2 (5 votes)

    And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

  • Mark 7:21 (3 votes)

    For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

  • Isaiah 65:5 (3 votes)

    Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These [are] a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.

  • 2 Kings 5:20 (2 votes)

    ¶ But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, [as] the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.

  • John 7:12 (2 votes)

    And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.

  • Luke 3:8 (2 votes)

    Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to [our] father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.