Exegetically Speaking

A Humble Woman, a Proud Leader, and Luke’s Greek, with Takamitsu Muraoka: Luke 7:36-50

Nov 7, 2023

Guest Takamitsu Muraoka, former professor at Universities of Manchester, Melbourne, and Leiden, discusses the significance of verb tenses in Luke 7:36-50, the contrasting use of pronouns to highlight differences, the identity of the humble woman, and the challenges of Bible translation.

23:31

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Episode guests

Takamitsu Muraoka

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Quick takeaways

The use of Greek in reading the passage illuminates the contrast between the actions of the woman and Simon the Pharisee.

The repetition of certain verbs and the use of tense in Greek highlight the woman's humility and deep devotion towards Jesus.

Deep dives

Activity of Jesus and Women Serving Him

In Luke chapter 7, verses 36 to 50, the passage is a continuation of Jesus' activity after speaking about John the Baptist. The following chapter, Luke 8, also discusses a group of women who had been cured by Jesus and were now serving him and his disciples in their evangelization efforts. The story in this passage centers around a woman who plays a significant role.

Introduction

4min

The Importance of Verb Tenses in Luke 7:36-50

10min

Insights and Contrasts in the Text

2min

Unveiling the Identity and Actions of a Woman in Luke 7:36-50

5min

The Challenges of Bible Translation and an Invitation to Wheaton College

3min

Luke 7 includes a story of a woman who washed Jesus’ feet with her tears and hair. Luke’s narration of this includes Jesus’ exchange with Simon the Pharisee about what she did, what Simon didn’t do, and what God did. How does knowledge of Greek illuminate this passage? Professor Muraoka, who formerly taught at the Universities of Manchester, Melbourne, and Leiden, related his own biography in an earlier episode of Exegetically Speaking. In addition to the publications mentioned in the description of that episode, we note here Modern Hebrew for Biblical Scholars: An Annotated Chrestomathy with an Outline Grammar and a Glossary, (with Paul Joüon) A Grammar of Biblical Hebrew, Classical Syriac: A basic grammar with a chrestomathy, (with Bezalel Porten), A Grammar of Egyptian Aramaic, and The Books of Hosea and Micah in Hebrew and Greek (Orbis Biblicus Et Orientalis, 294).

Check out related programs at Wheaton College:

Biblical Exegesis MA: https://bit.ly/47sx5uI

Classical Languages (Greek, Hebrew, Latin) BA: https://bit.ly/3szxNHx