Perfumes
H. Macmillan, LL. D. Luke 7:46 My head with oil you did not anoint: but this woman has anointed my feet with ointment. "My head with oil thou didst not anoint." Perfumes were associated with almost every action and event in the life of the ancients. The free use of them was peculiarly delightful and refreshing to the Orientals. A bouquet of fragrant flowers was carried in the hand; or rooms were fumigated with the odorous vapours of burning resins; or the body was anointed with oil mixed with the aromatic qualities of some plants extracted by boiling; or scents were worn about the person in gold or silver boxes, or in alabaster vials. When entertainments were given, the rooms were fumigated: and it was customary for a servant to attend every guest as he seated himself, to anoint his head, sprinkle his person with rose-water, or apply incense to his face and beard; and so entirely was the use of perfumes on such occasions in accordance with the customs of the people that the Saviour reproached Simon for the omission of this mark of attention, leaving it to be performed by a woman. (H. Macmillan, LL. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. WEB: You didn't anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.