Luke 7:36-38 New English Translation

Jesus’ Anointing

³⁶Now one of the Pharisees^[a] asked Jesus^[b] to have dinner with him, so^[c] he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table.^[d] ³⁷Then^[e] when a woman of that town, who was a sinner, learned that Jesus^[f] was dining^[g] at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar^[h] of perfumed oil.^[i] ³⁸As^[j] she stood^[k] behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. She^[l] wiped them with her hair,^[m] kissed^[n] them,^[o] and anointed^[p] them with the perfumed oil.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

Luke 7:36 sn See the note on Pharisees in 5:17.
Luke 7:36 tn Grk “him”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
Luke 7:36 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate that Jesus’ action was the result of the Pharisee’s invitation.
Luke 7:36 tn Grk “and reclined at table,” as 1st century middle eastern meals were not eaten while sitting at a table, but while reclining on one’s side on the floor with the head closest to the low table and the feet farthest away.
Luke 7:37 tn Grk “And behold.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative. The Greek word ἰδού (idou) at the beginning of this statement has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis (BDAG 468 s.v. 1).
Luke 7:37 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
Luke 7:37 tn Grk “was reclining at table.”
Luke 7:37 sn A jar made of alabaster stone was normally used for very precious substances like perfumes. It normally had a long neck which was sealed and had to be broken off so the contents could be used.
Luke 7:37 tn Μύρον (muron) was usually made of myrrh (from which the English word is derived) but here it is used in the sense of ointment or perfumed oil (L&N 6.205). The same phrase occurs at the end of v. 38 and in v. 46.sn Nard or spikenard is a fragrant oil from the root and spike of the nard plant of northern India. This perfumed oil, if made of something like nard, would have been extremely expensive, costing up to a year’s pay for an average laborer.
Luke 7:38 tn Grk “And standing.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
Luke 7:38 tn Grk “standing”; the participle στᾶσα (stasa) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
Luke 7:38 tn Grk “tears, and she.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
Luke 7:38 tn Grk “with the hair of her head.”
Luke 7:38 tn Grk “and kissed,” but καί (kai) has not been translated since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.
Luke 7:38 tn Grk “kissed his feet,” but this has been replaced by the pronoun “them” in keeping with contemporary English style.
Luke 7:38 sn The series of verbs in this verse detail the woman’s every move, much as if the onlookers were watching her every step. That she attended the meal is not so surprising, as teachers often ate an open meal where listeners were welcome, but for her to approach Jesus was unusual and took great nerve, especially given her reputation.

New English Translation (NET)