God’s Word Translation
Luke 7:39
39The Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this and thought, “If this man really were a prophet, he would know what sort of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner.”
Luke 7:39 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
- New International Version (NIV)When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”
- English Standard Version (ESV)Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner."
- New King James Version (NKJV)Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.”
Context of Luke 7:39
37A woman who lived a sinful life in that city found out that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house. So she took a bottle of perfume 38and knelt at his feet. She was crying and washed his feet with her tears. Then she dried his feet with her hair, kissed them over and over again, and poured the perfume on them. The Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this and thought, “If this man really were a prophet, he would know what sort of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner.” 40Jesus spoke up, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” Simon replied, “Teacher, you’re free to speak.” 41⌞So Jesus said,⌟ “Two men owed a moneylender some money. One owed him five hundred silver coins, and the other owed him fifty.
Read all of Luke 7Luke 7:39 word by word
ἰδὼν δὲ ὁ Φαρισαῖος ὁ καλέσας αὐτὸν εἶπεν ἐν ἑαυτῷ λέγων· οὗτος εἰ ἦν προφήτης, ἐγίνωσκεν ἂν τίς καὶ ποταπὴ ἡ γυνὴ ἥτις ἅπτεται αὐτοῦ ὅτι ἁμαρτωλός ἐστιν.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Nowδέde · thenG1161
- whenὁράωhoraō · to see: seeG3708
- the Phariseeὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- the PhariseeΦαρισαῖοςPharisaios · PhariseeG5330
- had biddenκαλέωkaleō · to call: callG2564
- himαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- he spakeλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
- withinἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- himselfἑαυτοῦheautou · themselfG1438
- sayingλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
- This manοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
- ifεἰei · ifG1487
- he wereεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
- a prophetπροφήτηςprophētēs · prophetG4396
- would have knownγινώσκωginōskō · to knowG1097
- ·ἄνan · ifG302
- whoτίςtis · which?G5101
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- what mannerποταπόςpotapos · of what kind?G4217
- of womanγυνήgunē · womanG1135
- thatὅστιςhostis hētis ho6ti · who/whichG3748
- touchethἅπτωhaptomai · to touchG680
- forὅτιhoti · that/since: sinceG3754
- a sinnerἁμαρτωλόςhamartōlos · sinfulG268
Cross-references for Luke 7:39
- Luke 3:8Do those things that prove that you have turned to God and have changed the way you think and act. Don’t say, ‘Abraham is our ancestor.’ I guarantee that God can raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones.
- Luke 12:17He thought, ‘What should I do? I don’t have enough room to store my crops.’
- Luke 16:3“The manager thought, ‘What should I do? My master is taking my job away from me. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg.
- Luke 18:4“For a while the judge refused to do anything. But then he thought, ‘This widow really annoys me. Although I don’t fear God or respect people,
- 2 Kings 5:20Gehazi, the servant of Elisha (the man of God), thought, “My master let this Aramean Naaman go without accepting what he had brought. As sure as the Lord lives, I’ll run after Naaman and get something from him.”
- Proverbs 23:7As he calculates the cost to himself, this is what he does: He tells you, “Eat and drink,” but he doesn’t really mean it.
- Mark 2:6Some experts in Moses’ Teachings were sitting there. They thought,
- Mark 7:21Evil thoughts, sexual sins, stealing, murder,
- Luke 7:16Everyone was struck with fear and praised God. They said, “A great prophet has appeared among us,” and “God has taken care of his people.”
- John 7:12The crowds argued about Jesus. Some people said, “He’s a good man,” while others said, “No he isn’t. He deceives the people.”
- John 9:24So once again the Jews called the man who had been blind. They told him, “Give glory to God. We know that this man who gave you sight is a sinner.”
- Luke 7:37A woman who lived a sinful life in that city found out that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house. So she took a bottle of perfume
- Luke 15:2But the Pharisees and the experts in Moses’ Teachings complained, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
- Luke 18:9Jesus also used this illustration with some who were sure that God approved of them while they looked down on everyone else.
- Isaiah 65:5They said, “Stay away! Don’t touch me! I’m holier than you are.” They have become like smoke in my nose, like a smoldering fire all day long.
- Matthew 9:12When Jesus heard that, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor; those who are sick do.
Commentaries on Luke 7:39
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 39He spake within himself - Thought. If he were a prophet - The word “prophet” here means, not one who predicts future events, but one who knows the hearts of people. If Jesus had been sent from God as a prophet, he supposed that he would have known the character of the woman and would have rebuked her. Would have known - Because Jesus did not rebuke her and drive her from his presence, he inferred that he could not be acquainted with her character. The…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 36-50Verses 36-50 None can truly perceive how precious Christ is, and the glory of the gospel, except the broken-hearted. But while they feel they cannot enough express self-abhorrence on account of sin, and admiration of his mercy, the self-sufficient will be disgusted, because the gospel encourages such repenting sinners. The Pharisee, instead of rejoicing in the tokens of the woman's repentance, confined his thoughts to her former bad character. But without…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 36-50What Jesus said in 7:35 is shown in this story by one of “wisdom’s children” (see study note on 7:35). She is a repentant sinner (a person who turns away from sin). She shows deep gratitude for the forgiveness she has received.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 3939. the Pharisee--who had formed no definite opinion of our Lord, and invited Him apparently to obtain materials for a judgment. spake within himself, &c.--"Ha! I have Him now; He plainly knows nothing of the person He allows to touch Him; and so, He can be no prophet." Not so fast, Simon; thou hast not seen through thy Guest yet, but He hath seen through thee.Read the comment
Topics related to Luke 7:39
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Luke 7
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Catena Aurea
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- John Lightfoot Commentary
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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