7:37a

When a sinful woman from that town: This part of the verse introduces the woman into the story. Consider how to introduce her in a natural way in your language. For example:

And there was a woman in the city who was a sinner (New American Standard Bible)

In Greek, this part of the verse begins with a word that many English versions translate as “behold.” It draws attention to what follows it. Here it probably draws attention to the woman and her surprising actions toward Jesus. Many English versions do not translate it. Consider whether you have a word or phrase in your language that would fit here. Some ways to translate it in English are:

look
-or-
listen

a sinful woman from that town: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as sinful implies that this woman had been immoral. She may have been a prostitute. However, because this is not certain, you should use a more general expression that can include this type of sin. For example:

a woman…who had a bad name in the town (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
a woman from that town who had a bad reputation

The point of this statement is that the people in the room considered the woman to be a “sinner.”

7:37b

learned that Jesus was dining there: The word learned here indicates that the woman heard in some way that Jesus was in the Pharisee’s house.

was dining: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as was dining is literally “was lying/reclining.” See the note on “reclined at the table” at 7:36b. The position is not in focus here, so it is fine to use a more general expression. For example:

was at table (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
was eating (New International Version)
-or-
was a guest (Revised English Bible)

7:37c

an alabaster jar of perfume: In this phrase the perfume is most important, not the alabaster jar. Your translation should keep the perfume in focus. For example:

she brought perfume in an alabaster jar

alabaster jar: An alabaster jar was a small, expensive container like a vial or bottle. It was made from a beautiful white and yellow stone called alabaster that came from Egypt.

Some ways to translate the word alabaster are:

• Borrow the word from a major language version and add a descriptive phrase. For example:

a flask/bottle made of alabaster
-or-
a jar/bottle made of a beautiful stone called alabaster

• Use a descriptive phrase that describes the significance of alabaster in the context. For example:

a beautiful bottle/vial

• Use a general term. For example:

a bottle (God’s Word)

If you use a descriptive phrase, be sure that it is not so complex that it distracts people. You should not substitute a different material for “alabaster,” because this verse describes a real event.

of perfume: The word perfume here refers to a scented oil. If you do not have a general word in your language for this, you could:

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

sweet-smelling oil
-or-
that which makes you smell nice

• Describe this as like something that people in your culture use to cause a person’s body to smell nice. For example:

something like ⌊coconut⌋ oil

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
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