How did all the men in Mathew's house know the woman that washed Jesus' feet and dried them with her hair?

Question

know that she was a woman of ill repute if they hadn't themselves used her services?

Finally getting over the crud -- thanks

Answer 1

It's kind of like the scarlet letter.

When a woman in a Hebrew community was caught in that kind of sin, her sins were made very public so that everyone could condemn her.

They didn't have to partake to know. It's not like nowadays, where no one knows when someone is arrested for prostitution or that she's not a virgin when she gets married. In that culture, when these sins were discovered, part of the punishment was to make it hugely public knowledge.

Answer 2

I think that Rob is right. In some cases you can recognize that kind of women by looking the way they dress, walk and the accessories and make up that they wear.

Answer 3

Just like today, a girl's reputation in a town can quickly spread....

god bless

Answer 4

They didn't know what was up .That's why they were so surprised.A woman without her head covered is automatically ,at that time,thought to be no good.

Answer 5

the same way today you can tell that one on the corner is a hooker and that gal over there on the corner isnt...they wore certain garb to show their business..

Answer 6

Many know of people through "talk" yes....and gossip of course is wrong....but that is probably how these men knew of her.

Answer 7

there were customs that there used in those days much like today to advertise what your selling...you know such as provocative dressing!!

Answer 8

They knew her in the Biblical sense.

Answer 9

There is no record of this in the Book of Matthew. The only similar event is recorded in Luke. The house was that of a Pharisee, not Matthew's. And the woman is recognized as a sinner.

How did all the men know the woman that washed Jesus' feet and dried them with her hair?

They were religious leaders who were self righteous sinners who looked down upon those whom they thought were less than they were.

Jesus (who was truly sinless) did not, but showed her mercy and grace. He was no respecter of persons but showed her respect because she humbled herself and sought for forgiveness of her sins.

Luke 7.36-50

And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.

And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that [Jesus] sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind [him] weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe [them] with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed [them] with the ointment.

Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw [it], he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman [this is] that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.

There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?

Simon answered and said, I suppose that [he], to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped [them] with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.

Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, [the same] loveth little.

And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?

And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

Answer 10

They could have. It doesn't say, however.