Luke 7:45 Meaning and Explanation
“Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Simon gave no kiss of greeting; the woman has not stopped kissing Jesus' feet since He arrived.
What Does Luke 7:45 Mean?
The second omission: Simon offered no kiss — the customary greeting of welcome and honor between host and guest. The woman, "since the time I came in," has not ceased kissing His feet; the Greek verb is intensive, kissing again and again.
A kiss on the face was courtesy between equals; kisses on the feet are homage from one who claims nothing. The contrast is not between rude and polite but between absence and abundance of love. Jesus notices what was withheld and what was poured out — He misses no omission and no devotion. The verse invites a quiet self-inquiry: is my welcome of Christ a formality observed, or an affection that cannot stop?
Luke 7:45 in the Original Language
kataphileo (καταφιλέω), 'kiss' -- to kiss fervently, again and again.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 7:45
What does Luke 7:45 mean?
Simon gave no kiss of greeting; the woman has not stopped kissing Jesus' feet since He arrived.