45 You gave me no kiss, but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss my feet.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
Thou gavest me no kiss - The kiss was a token of affection or a common mode of salutation, and Simon had even neglected this mark of welcoming him to his house. It was often used among "men" as a sign of salutation. Compare Genesis 33:4; Exodus 18:7; Matthew 26:49.
Hath not ceased to kiss my feet - How striking the difference between the conduct of Simon and this woman! He, with all the richness of a splendid preparation, had omitted the common marks of regard and affection. She, in humility, had bowed at his feet, had watered them with tears, and had not ceased to kiss them. The most splendid entertainments do not always express the greatest welcome. There may be in such entertainments much insincerity - much seeking of popularity or some other motive; but no such motive could have operated in inducing a broken-hearted sinner to wash the Saviour's "feet" with tears.
Since the time I came in - Rather, Since the time She came in, αφ' ἡς εισηλθεν, not εισηλθον, I came in, for it is clear from Luke 7:37 that the woman came in after Christ, having heard that he was sitting at meat in the Pharisee's house. The reading which I have adopted is supported by several MSS. and Versions.
Thou gavest me no kiss,.... A token of civility among friends, when they met together on any occasion. The Jews have a saying (b), that
"all kisses are foolish, excepting three; the kiss of grandeur or dignity, as in 1-Samuel 10:1 and the kiss at parting, as in Ruth 1:14 and the kiss at meeting, as in Exodus 4:27 (of which sort this kiss may be thought to be), to which some add the kiss of consanguinity (or that used by relations to one another), as in Genesis 29:11'
but this woman, since the time I came in. The Vulgate Latin and Syriac versions read, "since she came in"; and so two of Stephens's copies; which seems to be the more agreeable reading, seeing Christ was in Simon's house before this woman came; for she knowing that he was there, came thither after him:
hath not ceased to kiss my feet; which shows, that this action was repeated by her times without number, even ever since she came into the house.
(b) Shemot Rabba, sect. 6. fol. 91. 3, 4.
no kiss--of salutation. How much love was here? Any at all?
*More commentary available at chapter level.