The Woman Who Washed Jesus' Feet: A Story of Forgiveness and Love - Luke 7:36–38
The Woman Who Washed Jesus' Feet: A Story of Forgiveness and Love - Luke 7:36–38
The story of the woman who washed Jesus' feet with her tears and dried them with her hair is one of the most profound displays of repentance and divine mercy in the Gospels. Found in Luke 7:36–50, this encounter is not just a moving act of devotion—it is a radical statement of grace, love, and transformation, set against the backdrop of religious pride and social shame.
Jesus had been invited to dine at the house of Simon, a Pharisee, a man of religious status and social influence. During the meal, a woman from the city, known as a sinner, enters the scene uninvited. Her exact sins are not listed, but the text makes clear she was known publicly for her immoral life—traditionally understood as possibly being a prostitute, though the Bible does not explicitly say so.
Despite the risk of humiliation and rejection, she walks into the Pharisee's house carrying a jar of expensive perfume. She then kneels at Jesus' feet, overwhelmed with emotion. Her tears fall freely, and she uses them, along with her hair, to wash His feet—a deeply intimate and culturally shocking gesture.
Letting down her hair in public was considered shameful in first-century Jewish culture. Yet in her desperation for forgiveness, she abandons social norms to demonstrate the sincerity of her love and repentance.
A Radical Act of Love and Humility
This woman doesn’t say a word—her actions speak louder than any confession. She doesn’t just cry; she weeps uncontrollably. She doesn’t simply anoint Jesus; she pours out her most precious possession on His feet. Every action is charged with humility, reverence, and brokenness.
Tears: a symbol of deep remorse.
Hair: a personal and vulnerable gesture.
Perfume: a costly offering, likely representing her livelihood.
These are not acts of formality—they are the outpouring of a soul desperate for mercy.
The Pharisee’s Silent Judgment
Meanwhile, Simon the Pharisee watches with disgust. He silently questions Jesus’ prophetic authority, thinking, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him…” (Luke 7:39).
But Jesus, knowing Simon’s thoughts, turns this moment into a lesson.
He tells a parable about two debtors—one who owes a little and one who owes much. When both debts are forgiven, which one will love more? Naturally, Simon answers: "The one who was forgiven more."
Jesus then connects the parable to the woman: “Her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown.” (Luke 7:47)
The Power of Forgiveness
Jesus doesn't deny the woman's past—He acknowledges it, but He doesn't define her by it. Instead, He highlights her faith, love, and repentance as evidence of a heart transformed.
By contrast, Simon—who offered no water, no kiss, and no oil—fails to recognize his own need for forgiveness. This contrast reveals the heart of the Gospel:
Those who recognize the depth of their sin experience the depth of God’s grace.
Cultural and Spiritual Significance
This story overturns cultural expectations on multiple levels:
Women in that society were expected to be silent and invisible, yet this woman becomes the central figure in a powerful spiritual lesson.
Physical touch between unrelated men and women was taboo, but her touch becomes a sacred act of repentance.
The setting, a Pharisee’s home—a symbol of religious purity—becomes the stage for an act of divine acceptance and redemption.
A Legacy of Grace
The woman in Luke 7 is unnamed, yet her story echoes through time as a testimony of what real repentance and forgiveness look like. She teaches us that:
No past is too sinful for Jesus to forgive.
True love is shown through action, not appearance.
Religious pride can blind us to grace, while humility opens the door to salvation.
“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” — Luke 7:50
These words, spoken by Jesus to the woman, mark the end of her shame and the beginning of a new life.
FAQ: The Woman Who Washed Jesus’ Feet (Luke 7:36–38)
1. Was this woman Mary Magdalene?
No. Although tradition has sometimes associated this woman with Mary Magdalene, the Bible does not identify her by name. Mary Magdalene is introduced in the following chapter (Luke 8:2), and there is no textual basis for linking the two. This confusion likely arose from later church traditions, not from Scripture.
2. Was the woman a prostitute?
The passage in Luke calls her a woman in the city who was a sinner (Luke 7:37). This suggests a reputation for public immorality, and many scholars believe she may have been a prostitute. However, the text does not explicitly state this. What’s clear is that she was known for a sinful lifestyle, yet Jesus welcomed her repentance.
3. Why did she cry so much at Jesus’ feet?
Her tears are an expression of deep sorrow, repentance, and love. She recognized the weight of her sin and the grace being offered to her in Jesus' presence. Her weeping, along with the act of washing and anointing His feet, reflect a sincere and heartfelt transformation.
4. What is the significance of her using her hair?
In Jewish culture, a woman letting her hair down in public was considered highly inappropriate, even shameful. By using her hair to wipe Jesus’ feet, she not only shows deep humility but also a complete disregard for social judgment—prioritizing her devotion and repentance over cultural expectations.
5. Why did Jesus defend her instead of rebuking her?
Jesus saw true repentance and love in her actions. He used her as an example to teach a deeper truth: those who are forgiven much, love much (Luke 7:47). In contrast to Simon the Pharisee, who was self-righteous and judgmental, the woman showed the kind of heart God desires—broken, humble, and open to grace.
Real love and faith are shown through humble action.
Religious pride can blind us to the truth, while brokenness opens the door to grace.
Jesus welcomes the outcast and the sinner, not because He condones sin, but because He offers redemption to those who seek Him sincerely.
7. What was the Pharisee’s mistake?
Simon’s mistake was in judging both the woman and Jesus. He believed holiness meant separation from sinners, while Jesus demonstrated that holiness brings healing to sinners. Simon didn’t recognize his own need for grace, making him blind to the power of forgiveness unfolding before him.
How to Visualize This Woman
If you wish to depict or imagine this woman visually—whether for art, film, or storytelling—consider these elements:
Clothing: Modest but worn, perhaps reflecting both her shame and her former life.
Hair: Long and unbound, symbolizing her vulnerability and defiance of social norms.
Posture: Kneeling or collapsed at Jesus’ feet, overwhelmed by emotion.
Facial expression: A mixture of sorrow, reverence, and love—tears flowing freely.
Setting: A lavish home contrasted by her humble presence; light subtly illuminating Jesus and the woman to underscore grace breaking through judgment.
