Jesus defended women throughout the Gospels when they were condemned, shamed, misjudged, or discouraged from sitting at His feet and learning from Him. His responses to the woman caught in adultery, the woman with the alabaster flask, and Mary of Bethany reveal God’s compassionate heart toward women.
Have you ever considered how many times Jesus defended women in the Bible?
Too often, people twist Scripture to imply that God thinks less of women, that a woman’s voice does not matter, or that she is expected to remain silent while someone mistreats her.
But when we look at Jesus, we see the heart of God.
Jesus did not overlook sin, but neither did He permit self-righteous people to use another person’s sin as a weapon against her.
He saw women clearly. He received them compassionately. He protected their dignity. He welcomed them to learn from Him.
And when others tried to condemn, shame, dismiss, or misjudge them, Jesus spoke up.
Three Times Jesus Defended Women
Here are three situations when Jesus defended women in the Bible.
1. Jesus Defended the Woman Caught in Adultery
In John 8:1-11, the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman to Jesus who had been caught in adultery.
They made her stand publicly before everyone and reminded Jesus that the law of Moses commanded that such a person be stoned. Then they asked what He thought should be done.
But there was an obvious injustice in their accusation.
Adultery involves two people, yet they brought only the woman!
Where was the man?
The religious leaders were not seeking righteousness. They were using this woman’s humiliation as a trap for Jesus.
Jesus did not deny that she had sinned. But He refused to participate in their hypocrisy or allow them to execute judgment while ignoring their own sinful condition.
He told them:
“He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” - John 8:7, NKJV
One by one, her accusers left.
Then Jesus asked her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”
When she answered that no one had, Jesus said:
“Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” - John 8:11, NKJV
Notice the beautiful balance of grace and truth.
Jesus did not call her sin acceptable. He called her out of it. But He did not shame, humiliate, or destroy her.
Her accusers wanted to define her by the worst thing she had done. Jesus gave her an opportunity to walk forward in freedom.
Perhaps you have carried shame because of something you did, something done to you, or something you wish you could change.
Jesus does not invite you to remain trapped in sin or shame. He invites you to come into the light, receive His mercy, and begin again.
2. Jesus Defended the Woman with the Alabaster Flask
In Luke 7:36-50, a Pharisee named Simon invited Jesus to eat at his house. While Jesus was there, a woman known in the city as a sinner entered carrying an alabaster flask of fragrant oil.
She stood behind Jesus weeping. She washed His feet with her tears, wiped them with her hair, kissed His feet, and anointed them with the fragrant oil.
Simon did not speak his criticism aloud, but he thought:
“This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.” - Luke 7:39, NKJV
Simon saw her reputation; Jesus saw her heart.
Simon believed her past made her touch defiling. Jesus recognized her actions as an expression of repentance, gratitude, and love.
Jesus then exposed something Simon could not see. Simon considered himself respectable, but he had neglected the ordinary courtesies that a host should have offered. The woman Simon despised had shown Jesus extraordinary love.
Jesus defended her by telling the truth about what she had done in contrast to Simon's behavior:
“Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much.” - Luke 7:44-47, NKJV
Then He said directly to her:
“Your sins are forgiven.” - Luke 7:48, NKJV
The people around the table knew her history, but Jesus declared her forgiveness.
What others remembered about her could not overrule what Jesus said about her.
You may know what it feels like to enter a room believing that everyone has already formed an opinion about you. You may have internalized accusing voices until you began speaking to yourself with the same contempt.
But Jesus does not recoil from a woman who comes to Him with a humble and repentant heart.
He receives her.
3. Jesus Defended Mary’s Place at His Feet
In Luke 10:38-42, Martha welcomed Jesus into her home and began serving. Her sister Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to His word.
Martha became distracted by everything she was trying to accomplish. Eventually, she said:
“Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” - Luke 10:40, NKJV
Martha was not an evil woman. She loved Jesus and wanted to serve Him. But in her frustration, she assumed that Mary’s choice was less valuable than her own.
She also expected Jesus to agree with her assessment.
He did not.
Jesus answered:
“Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” - Luke 10:41-42, NKJV
Jesus defended Mary’s right to sit at His feet and receive His teaching.
In that culture, sitting at a teacher’s feet was the posture of a disciple. Jesus affirmed that a woman belonged there.
Mary was not being lazy. She had recognized the greater need of the moment.
Martha believed Mary needed to get up and work. Jesus said that what Mary had chosen would not be taken from her.
Sister, do not let anyone make you feel guilty for needing time with Jesus.
Your value is not determined by how much you accomplish, how many people you please, or how tirelessly you serve. Before Jesus calls you to work for Him, He welcomes you to be with Him.
Jesus Is Not Your Accuser
These three women faced different kinds of accusation.
- The woman caught in adultery was publicly condemned because of her sin.
- The woman with the alabaster flask was privately despised because of her reputation.
- Mary was criticized because someone thought she should be doing more.
One woman was told, in effect, “You are too sinful.”
Another was treated as though she were too shameful.
The third was accused of not being useful enough.
Jesus answered every accusation with truth.
He did not abandon these women to the judgments of others. He called one into a new way of living, assured another of forgiveness, and protected the third’s place at His feet.
This does not mean Jesus approves of every decision we make. It means that when He corrects us, His purpose is restoration, not humiliation.
- Condemnation says, “You are hopeless.”
- Conviction says, “Come to Me. Let Me lead you into something better.”
When Emotional Pain Leads You to Food
Some women carry accusing voices inside them long after the original accusers have gone.
“You should be ashamed.”
“You are not good enough.”
“You should be doing more.”
“No one will understand.”
“You brought this on yourself.”
“You have failed again.”
Those thoughts can create deep emotional weariness. When the pain becomes overwhelming, food may feel like the one place where you can find comfort, relief, or escape.
But food cannot defend you.
It cannot forgive you, restore your dignity, tell you the truth about yourself, or give rest to your soul. It may temporarily quiet the pain, but it cannot heal its source.
Jesus can.
He says:
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” - Matthew 11:28, NKJV
Jesus invites you to bring Him your mind, will, and emotions. Bring Him the accusations, the painful memories, the pressure to perform, and the shame you have been carrying.
You do not have to hide your wounds from Him.
The same Jesus who saw these women sees you.
Biblical Submission Never Means Submitting to Abuse
Scripture teaches wives to submit to their own husbands as to the Lord. But this command must never be separated from God’s command to husbands:
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.” - Ephesians 5:25, NKJV
Christlike leadership is sacrificial, protective, nourishing, and loving. It does not use intimidation, degradation, coercion, violence, spiritual manipulation, or fear to control another person.
A woman is not required to cooperate with sin or remain unprotected in an abusive situation to prove that she is Godly.
Seeking safety, wise counsel, pastoral support, professional help, or legal protection is not rebellion against God. If you are in immediate danger, contact emergency services or a trusted domestic violence resource.
The Lord does not ask a woman to call evil good.
Jesus defended women against false accusations, public humiliation, religious pride, and dismissive judgment.
His example reveals the protective, truthful, and compassionate heart of God.
Come Sit at His Feet
Perhaps you recognize yourself in one of these women.
Do you feel condemned because of something in your past?
Do you fear that other people’s opinions have permanently defined you?
Are you exhausted from believing that you must always do more to be worthy of love?
Come to Jesus.
Let His truth become louder than your accusers.
Let His forgiveness become greater than your shame.
Let His presence become more satisfying than the temporary comfort food promises.
You are not coming to Someone who is eager to push you away. You are coming to the Savior who received hurting women, spoke for them, taught them, forgave them, and called them into freedom.
The Lord loves women.
And you are safe bringing your wounded heart to Him.
Reflection Questions
- Which accusation has been most difficult for you to release: “I am too sinful,” “I am too shameful,” or “I am not doing enough”?
- How have you tried to quiet that accusation with food or another temporary comfort?
- What does Jesus’ response to these women reveal about how He wants you to approach Him?
- What would sitting at Jesus’ feet look like for you today?
A Prayer for the Woman Who Feels Accused
Lord Jesus, thank You for showing us the heart of God. Thank You that You are full of grace and truth. Help me recognize every accusing voice that contradicts Your Word. Where I have sinned, lead me to repentance and freedom. Where I have been wounded, bring healing and wise support. Where I have believed that my value depends on my performance, teach me to rest at Your feet. Help me bring my emotional hunger to You before I turn to food.
Let Your truth settle my mind, direct my will, and restore my emotions. Thank You for receiving me with compassion and leading me in righteousness. In Your name, amen.
Your gentle next step: The next time you feel drawn to eat when you are not physically hungry, pause and ask, “What accusation or emotional burden am I carrying right now?” Then bring that burden to Jesus before deciding what you truly need.