7:46

anoint…anointed…with: The Greek verbs that the Berean Standard Bible translates as anoint and anointed…with are translations of the same verb that was translated as “anointed” in 7:38d. If it is natural in your language, you may use the same verb in these places. However, you may need to vary the form, as the Greek text does. For example:

38dand anointing them with the myrrh…. 46You did not anoint my head with oil; but she has anointed my feet with myrrh. (Revised English Bible)

If your languages prefers to use different words, that is also fine. However, be sure to make the contrast between the woman and Simon clear.

7:46a

You did not anoint My head with oil: When a Jew wanted to honor a special guest, he anointed the guest’s head with oil. This showed extra courtesy to him. In some cultures people may not understand the meaning of putting oil on a person’s head. It may even seem like an unpleasant thing to do. If that is true in your culture, here are options to consider.

• Make the meaning of the action explicit. For example:

You did not honor/welcome me by putting oil on my head

• Use a more general expression. This may be a good option in places where oil is considered to be an unpleasant substance to put on the head. For example:

You did not ⌊honor me by⌋ anointing me

In some translations it may be good to explain this custom in a footnote. For example:

A host was not required to anoint his guest’s head with oil, but it was a special way to honor that person and show him kindness (Psalms 23:5, 141:5). (Translator’s Reference Translation)

oil: The oil that people used for anointing was olive oil. Olive oil cost very little compared with scented oil.

7:46b

but: Again Jesus contrasted the woman’s actions with Simon’s.

she has anointed My feet with perfume: Here Jesus spoke about the woman’s action in 7:38d. She anointed his feet with sweet-smelling oil. This oil was expensive compared to the oil that was normally used to anoint the head of a guest. The woman performed a more humble action in anointing Jesus’ feet instead of his head. Another way to translate this is:

this woman has ⌊welcomed/honored me by⌋ anointing/rubbing my feet with perfumed oil

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