What does Luke 7:45 mean?
A Pharisee named Simon invited Jesus to a banquet. While they were reclining at the table, a woman, known in town as a sinner, walked in and found Jesus. She washed His feet with her tears and hair and anointed them with perfume. Watching, Simon presumed Jesus must not be a prophet if He doesn't know the woman's reputation (Luke 7:36–39).Jesus now compares the woman's actions with those of Simon. Simon did not give Jesus water for His feet, he did not greet Jesus at the door with a friendly kiss, and he did not anoint Jesus' head with oil (Luke 7:45–46). None of these things were strictly required, but they would have shown a level of honor.
In judging the situation, Simon compared the sinful woman's reputation to his own. As a Pharisee who is devoted to the Mosaic law, he assumes this makes him superior to her. His life appears to be "clean," and hers is not. However, Jesus compares their current actions and motivations. Certainly, if the woman had made the same movements with a hardened heart, they wouldn't have meant anything. But she acted because she loves Jesus. Why wouldn't Jesus accept the honor of someone who loves Him? Why wouldn't her conduct be a welcome break from Simon's cool courtesy?
To add insult to injury—for the judgmental—Jesus goes on to explain that the reason the woman loves Him is because she knows her many sins have already been forgiven (Luke 7:47). This previously sin-stained woman now bears God's gift of righteousness. This is something Simon can never accomplish with his obsessive rule-following.
Jesus' reference to the woman kissing His feet "from the time I came in" is obviously hyperbole: an exaggeration for effect. The text notes she did not start until He was already settled on His couch (Luke 7:36–38).
