Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Luke 7:44 - 7:44

Online Resource Library

Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | Download

Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Luke 7:44 - 7:44


(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)

This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

44. βλέπεις; ‘Dost thou mark?’ Hitherto the Pharisee, in accordance with his customs and traditions, had hardly deigned to throw upon her one disdainful glance. Now Jesus bids him look full upon her to shew him that she had really done the honours of his house. Her love had more than atoned for his coldness.

We notice in the language here that rhythmic parallelism, which is often traceable in the words of our Lord, at periods of special emotion.

Into thine house I entered:

Water upon my feet thou gavest not,

But she with her tears bedewed my feet,

And with her tresses wiped them.

A kiss thou gavest me not:

But she, since I entered, ceased not earnestly kissing my feet.

My head with oil thou anointedst not,

But she anointed my feet with perfume.

Wherefore I say to thee, Her sins, her many sins, have been forgiven, because she loved much.

But he to whom little is being forgiven loveth little.

“As oft as I think over this event,” says Gregory the Great, “I am more disposed to weep over it than to preach upon it.”

ὕδωρ μου ἐπὶ τοὺς πόδας. Thus Simon had treated his guest with such careless indifference as to have neglected the commonest courtesies and comforts. To sandalled travellers on those burning, rocky, dusty paths, water for the feet was a necessity; Joh 13:4-5. “Wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree,” Gen 18:4. “Tarry all night, and wash your feet,” Gen 19:2. “He brought them into his house, and they washed their feet,” Jdg 19:21. “If she have washed the saints’ feet,” 1Ti 5:10.

ἔβρεξεν. ‘Bedewed’ or ‘wetted.’

δάκρυσιν. “The most priceless of waters.” Bengel. “She poured forth tears, the blood of the heart.” St Aug.