Luke 7:37

My Notes

What Does Luke 7:37 Mean?

"And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment." Luke introduces the woman with devastating simplicity: she was 'a sinner' — the city KNEW it, the Pharisee knew it (verse 39), and she knew it. And when she learned Jesus was at the Pharisee's dinner table, she brought her most valuable possession — an alabaster box of ointment. The sinner approaches the Savior. The known-sinner enters the known-Pharisee's house. The approach is itself an act of courage.

The phrase "a woman in the city, which was a sinner" (gynē hētis ēn en tē polei hamartōlos — a woman who was in the city a sinner) identifies the woman by her REPUTATION: the city knew her as a sinner. The label is public. The identification is communal. She's not 'a woman who committed a sin.' She's 'a sinner' — it's her IDENTITY in the community. The label has replaced the name. The sin has replaced the person.

The "when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house" (epignousa hoti katakeitai en tē oikia tou Pharisaiou — having learned that He was reclining in the house of the Pharisee) means the woman SOUGHT Jesus: she heard where He was and she went there. The approach was INTENTIONAL. She didn't stumble into the Pharisee's house. She FOUND where Jesus was and went to Him. The seeking was deliberate.

Reflection Questions

• 1.What most valuable thing are you willing to bring to Jesus — regardless of who's watching?
• 2.What does the 'sinner' entering the Pharisee's house teach about courage in the face of social shame?
• 3.How does seeking Jesus DELIBERATELY (not accidentally) describe the intentionality of genuine repentance?
• 4.What label has replaced your name — and would you carry it through the door if Jesus were on the other side?

Devotional

A woman. Known as a sinner. She learned where Jesus was. She brought her most valuable possession. She entered the house of the Pharisee — the LAST place a 'sinner' would be welcome — because Jesus was there. The approach is the bravest act in the chapter.

The 'which was a sinner' is the identity the city gave her: not her name. Her LABEL. The community knew her as 'the sinner' — a public identification that replaced every other identity she might have had. She wasn't someone who sinned. She WAS a sinner. The label had become the identity. And she carried that label through the door of the Pharisee's house because the person inside was worth the shame.

The 'when she knew that Jesus sat at meat' means the approach was DELIBERATE: she heard where Jesus was. She decided to go. She brought the alabaster box (expensive, valuable, possibly her most treasured possession). The woman didn't wander into the dinner. She SOUGHT Jesus out. The knowing produced the going. The information became the invitation. She heard where He was and went TO Him.

The 'brought an alabaster box of ointment' is the offering she chose: alabaster boxes held expensive perfume — possibly the most valuable thing she owned. The bringing of the ointment is the bringing of everything she HAS. The sinner brings her treasure to the Savior. The woman known for her sin approaches with the most precious thing she possesses. The offering matches the desperation.

What 'alabaster box' — what most valuable thing you possess — are you willing to bring to Jesus, regardless of the room's opinion?

Commentary

Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.

Cross References

Related passages throughout Scripture