Luke 7:44 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Seest thou this woman?—— The kindness which this woman shewed to Jesus, was very extraordinary; therefore, as he had all the softer and finer passions of human nature in their utmost purity and perfection, he was greatly moved with the consciousness that she had of her guilt, the sincerity of her repentance, and the profoundness of her humility; and with gracious condescension expressed the sense he had of it: for, in the hearing of all the guests he recounted particularly, and with approbation, the several actions by which she had testified her respect; and because by accident she had wetted his feet with her tears, he gave it an agreeable turn, well knowingfrom what spring her tears had flowed. That the company might know it was not offensive to him, he called it a washing of his feet; a mark of respect, which was usually paid to guests on their coming into a house, especially after travelling; but which Simon had neglected. The words of the subsequent clause of this verse, Thou gavest me no water for my feet, may sound somewhat harsh to us; but will be found agreeable to the nicest propriety, if the manners of the eastern countries are considered. There, persons of the highest rank did not think itbeneath them to honour their guests by performing offices of this kind for them. Thus in Genesis 18:7-8 we read, that on the arrival of the three angels, Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetched a calf, and took butter and milk, and the calf which his servant had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree to serve them, and they did eat. Something of this sort we find, Iliad, 9. ver. 205. And Dr. Shaw, (Trav. p. 301.) tells us, that these customs subsist among the eastern nations to this day, particularly among the Arabs, who are remarkable for retaining their ancient manners; and that the person who first presents himself to welcome a stranger, and wash his feet, is the master of the family: for as they still walk barefooted, or with sandals only, this piece of civility in some way or other is absolutely necessary