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Luke 7:37

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 7:37 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And behold, a woman who was in the city, a sinner; and when she knew that he was sitting at meat in the Pharisee`s house, she brought an alabaster cruse of ointment,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And behold, a woman who was in the city, a sinner; and when she knew that he was sitting at meat in the Pharisee`s house, she brought an alabaster cruse of ointment,
Luke 7:37 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 7

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
34The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold, a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!
35And wisdom is justified of all her children.
36And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he entered into the Pharisee`s house, and sat down to meat.
37And behold, a woman who was in the city, a sinner; and when she knew that he was sitting at meat in the Pharisee`s house, she brought an alabaster cruse of ointment,
38and standing behind at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
39Now 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.
40And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Teacher, say on.
← Luke 7:36Luke 7:38 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And behold, a woman in the city, etc.] Not Mary Magdalene, spoken of in (<420802>Luke 8:2) under another character; and is a different person, who had not been taken notice of by the evangelist before; nor Mary the sister of Lazarus, who is said to anoint the feet of Christ, and wipe them with her hair, (<431203>John 12:3). The character given of this woman, does not seem so well to agree with her; at least, the fact here recorded, cannot be the same with that; for this was in Galilee, and that in Bethany; this in the house of Simon the Pharisee, that in the house of Lazarus; this was some time before Christ's death, and after this he went a circuit through every city and village, that was…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“CHRIST'S FEET WASHED WITH TEARS. (Luk 7:36-50) a sinner--one who had led a profligate life. Note.--There is no ground whatever for the popular notion that this woman was Mary Magdalene, nor do we know what her name was. (See on Luk 8:2.) an alabaster box of ointment--a perfume vessel, in some cases very costly (Joh 12:5). "The ointment has here a peculiar interest, as the offering by a penitent of what had been an accessory in her unhallowed work of sin" [ALFORD].”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“In the city - What city is meant is unknown. Some have supposed it was Nain; some Capernaum; some Magdala; and some Jerusalem. Which was a sinner - Who was depraved or wicked. This woman, it seems, was known to be a sinner - perhaps an abandoned woman or a prostitute. It is certain that she had much to be forgiven, and she had probably passed her life in crime. There is no evidence that this was the woman commonly called Mary Magdalene. An alabaster-box ... - See the notes at Mark 14:3. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“A woman - Not the same with Mary of Bethany, who anointed him six days before his last passover. Luke 7:40”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“7:37 a certain immoral woman: The implication is that she was a prostitute. • Alabaster is a soft marble—white, yellow, or red—that was often used to make expensive containers like this beautiful . . . jar.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“which: Luk 7:34, Luk 7:39, Luk 5:30, Luk 5:32, Luk 18:13, Luk 19:7; Mat 21:31; Joh 9:24, Joh 9:31; Rom 5:8; Ti1 1:9, Ti1 1:15; Pe1 4:18 an: Mat 26:7; Mar 14:3; Joh 11:2, Joh 12:2, Joh 12:3 Luke 7:38”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification