What Jesus Said About Women: Dignity, Faith & Discipleship (14 Teachings)

Jesus identifies himself as the Messiah to the Samaritan woman.

Read the Scripture John 4:25–26

King James Version

John 4:25–26

²⁵The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.
²⁶Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.

The widow's tiny offering can surpass larger gifts because God sees sacrificial proportion.

Read the Scripture Mark 12:41–44; Luke 21:1–4

King James Version

Mark 12:41–44

⁴¹And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
⁴²And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
⁴³And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
⁴⁴For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

Luke 21:1–4

¹And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.
²And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.
³And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:
⁴For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.

A woman divorcing her husband and marrying another is also described as committing adultery.

Read the Scripture Mark 10:12

King James Version

Mark 10:12

¹²And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.

Jesus refuses to condemn the woman caught in adultery, exposes her accusers' hypocrisy, and tells her to sin no more.

Read the Scripture John 7:53–8:11

King James Version

John 7:53–8:11

^7:53And every man went unto his own house.
^8:1Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
^8:2And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
^8:3And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
^8:4They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
^8:5Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
^8:6This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
^8:7So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
^8:8And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
^8:9And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
^8:10When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
^8:11She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

Textual note: John 7:53–8:11 (the woman caught in adultery) is not found in some of the earliest manuscripts.

Jesus rebukes those who criticize mercy shown to a sinful woman while failing ordinary hospitality.

Read the Scripture Luke 7:36–50

King James Version

Luke 7:36–50

³⁶And 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.
³⁷And, 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,
³⁸And 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.
³⁹Now 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.
⁴⁰And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
⁴¹There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
⁴²And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
⁴³Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
⁴⁴And 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.
⁴⁵Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
⁴⁶My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
⁴⁷Wherefore 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.
⁴⁸And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
⁴⁹And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
⁵⁰And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

The persistent widow teaches persistent prayer and confidence that God will bring justice.

Read the Scripture Luke 18:1–8

King James Version

Luke 18:1–8

¹And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
²Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
³And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
⁴And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
⁵Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
⁶And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
⁷And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
⁸I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

The woman with the flow of blood is told that her faith has made her well.

Read the Scripture Matthew 9:20–22; Mark 5:25–34; Luke 8:43–48

King James Version

Matthew 9:20–22

²⁰And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:
²¹For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.
²²But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

Mark 5:25–34

²⁵And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,
²⁶And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,
²⁷When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.
²⁸For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.
²⁹And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.
³⁰And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?
³¹And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?
³²And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.
³³But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.
³⁴And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

Luke 8:43–48

⁴³And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,
⁴⁴Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.
⁴⁵And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?
⁴⁶And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.
⁴⁷And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.
⁴⁸And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.

A Gentile mother's persistent faith is praised as great.

Read the Scripture Matthew 15:21–28

King James Version

Matthew 15:21–28

²¹Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.
²²And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.
²³But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.
²⁴But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
²⁵Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.
²⁶But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.
²⁷And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.
²⁸Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

Jesus entrusts his mother and beloved disciple to one another.

Read the Scripture John 19:26–27

King James Version

John 19:26–27

²⁶When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
²⁷Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

The risen Jesus told the women not to be afraid, and to tell his brethren to meet him in Galilee.

Read the Scripture Matthew 28:10

King James Version

Matthew 28:10

¹⁰Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

Jesus told the Samaritan woman to call her husband, bringing her real situation into the conversation.

Read the Scripture John 4:16

King James Version

John 4:16

¹⁶Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.

The risen Jesus told Mary Magdalene not to cling to him but to go and tell his brethren.

Read the Scripture John 20:17

King James Version

John 20:17

¹⁷Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

Jesus combines mercy toward sinners with a call away from sin.

Read the Scripture Luke 7:36–50; John 8:11

King James Version

Luke 7:36–50

³⁶And 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.
³⁷And, 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,
³⁸And 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.
³⁹Now 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.
⁴⁰And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
⁴¹There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
⁴²And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
⁴³Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
⁴⁴And 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.
⁴⁵Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
⁴⁶My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
⁴⁷Wherefore 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.
⁴⁸And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
⁴⁹And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
⁵⁰And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

John 8:11

¹¹She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

Textual note: John 7:53–8:11 (the woman caught in adultery) is not found in some of the earliest manuscripts.

Jesus dignifies women as theological conversation partners and disciples.

Read the Scripture Luke 10:38–42; John 4:7–26; 11:20–27

King James Version

Luke 10:38–42

³⁸Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
³⁹And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.
⁴⁰But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
⁴¹And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
⁴²But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

John 4:7–26

⁷There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.
⁸(For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)
⁹Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
¹⁰Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
¹¹The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?
¹²Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?
¹³Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
¹⁴But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
¹⁵The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.
¹⁶Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.
¹⁷The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:
¹⁸For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.
¹⁹The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.
²⁰Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
²¹Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
²²Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
²³But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
²⁴God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
²⁵The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.
²⁶Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.

John 11:20–27

²⁰Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.
²¹Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
²²But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
²³Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
²⁴Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
²⁵Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
²⁶And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
²⁷She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

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What Jesus said about Women: Dignity, Faith & Discipleship

A Guide for Real Life

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How can Jesus help?

What Jesus said about Women: Dignity, Faith & Discipleship

A Guide for Real Life