A possible context here – is the whole idea of “Oriental Hospitality and Honor.”
Let me explain.
Meal times were “major events” in the first century of the Common Era. As a result of the meal given and shared – could either come – “honor” or “shame.”
These gatherings were rich with “assumed,” “unspoken,” “expectations” and “customs.”
Meals with invited guests were even more so! The ante was raised higher and higher – dependent upon “who” was to be invited!
It was actually important and a real consideration: What food will be served? What drinks will be served? Who will sit beside whom?
What will be the expected “polite conversation?”
What “hot topics” should be avoided at all costs?
What needs to be spoken about?
What thanks are to be offered? To whom? By whom?
The “host” should be honored. The “guests” would now be indebted to the “host.” And, expected to repay the host back “in some kind of a like manner.”
Our text from Luke’s gospel both “reveals” and “takes for granted” many such meal time customs in Jesus’ day.
Bear in mind: in Jesus’ day there was no such thing as a paved road. There were no socks, per se. The earliest surviving pair of socks we have are dated from 300-500 CE. Prior to that animal furs or leather were used as a foot wrapping. Most people were just barefoot.
Likewise, there was no running water. All water had to come from common wells or streams, lakes and rivers. All water had to be carried over land.
So, it was an expectation that “a host” would provide guests with a servant to wash the “guests” feet upon their arrival. Another expectation was that some “scented ointment” be made available for their hair.
All meals were served on low tables, and guests would recline on sofas, propped on their left side, taking and eating food from serving dishes with their right hands.
Left hands were never used, as they were considered “unclean.”
Only the men would eat together…which is still the case today in many middle eastern societies. Women could enter the room only to serve the food. They were not allowed to speak to the men, at any point.
A woman would always have her hair covered appropriately and veiled – she could never so much as touch a man, any man in public.
When the woman in this story enters the room where the men are eating – she is violating “a huge standard” of “socially respectable behavior.”
Any proper man would react with outrage and anger at her behavior.
The host and all invited guests would bear the shame of this event. There would be no honor.
Any proper host or male guest would have “absolutely prevented her” from touching a man in public.
That her actions were not halted immediately, speaks of great shame.
Allowing or permitting this behavior tars Jesus and all the other men at table – with the same reputation as the woman who is touching him.
Dishonor and shame is all over this text…and there is more than enough blame and shame to go around for all.
But note how there is no shame or blame or guilt ascribed to this unnamed woman.
She is not only exonerated – she is forgiven. She is being lifted up as a person who loves. She is an exemplar of what it means to be human.
In this male dominated – patriarchal society, it is a sinner, a woman who shows Simon, the PHARISEE “what it means to love.”…how to honor a guest…
Her sin is never mentioned. She is not a tax collector, or an adulterer, or even as is often suggested – a prostitute.
Whatever her sin, she has been set free…she has been forgiven. It is assumed that this woman had met Jesus sometime prior to this event.
It is further assumed that the unnamed woman seeks Jesus out – because as a result of her being forgiven…she now loves much!
This is the proper response to being forgiven. If we have been forgiven – our love is to overflow. We are to be joyous!
We are to be examples for others…we are to give of ourselves – as was the case with all the “other women” who followed Jesus…and supported his ministry.
Forgiveness comes first, love is to naturally follow.