Lance Carson
The Bible recounts an incident where Jesus is anointed with expensive perfume by a woman, identified as Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. This event is described in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, with slight variations in the narratives. While Matthew and Mark's accounts do not name the woman, Luke describes a sinful woman, and John identifies her as Mary, sister of Martha. Mary's act of anointing Jesus' head and feet with costly perfume and wiping them with her hair is a powerful expression of her devotion. This gesture holds prophetic significance, foreshadowing Jesus' death and burial, and also points to His identity as the Messiah-King.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of Martha's sister | Mary of Bethany, Mary Magdalene |
| Mary's act | Anointed Jesus head and feet with expensive perfume/ointment, wiped his feet with her hair |
| Mary's relationship with Jesus | Sat at his feet listening to his teachings |
| Mary's relationship with Martha | Martha was doing household chores while Mary listened to Jesus |
| Mary's relationship with Lazarus | Witnessed Jesus raising her brother Lazarus from the dead |
| Location | Bethany, in the house of Simon the Leper |
| Timing | Two days before Passover, according to Matthew and Mark; six days before, according to John |
| Other figures present | Lazarus, Judas, disciples |
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What You'll Learn
- Mary of Bethany, Martha's sister, anoints Jesus' feet with expensive perfume
- Mary's act of anointing Jesus' feet points to his identity as Messiah-King
- Mary Magdalene is not the sister of Lazarus
- Mary's act of anointing Jesus' feet was an expression of her devotion to him
- Martha and Mary appear in the Gospel of John in connection with the raising of Lazarus from the dead
Mary of Bethany, Martha's sister, anoints Jesus' feet with expensive perfume
Mary of Bethany, sister of Martha, anointed Jesus' feet with expensive perfume. This is recorded in the Gospel of John, which identifies the woman as Mary, sister of Martha and Lazarus. The anointing took place during a dinner in Bethany, six days before the Passover feast.
Mary's act of anointing Jesus' feet with expensive perfume is a powerful expression of her devotion to Jesus. While her sister, Martha, was busy serving the guests, Mary chose to sit at Jesus' feet and listen to his teachings. This was unusual in that society, which did not value the education of women. By choosing to remain with Jesus and listen to his teachings, Mary demonstrated her hunger for spiritual knowledge and her willingness to break with social norms.
The Gospel of John describes the scene: "Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus' feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair" (John 12:3, NLT). The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume (John 12:3). Jesus defended Mary's action when it was criticized by Judas, saying, "You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me" (John 12:8).
The anointing of Jesus by Mary of Bethany is one of the most famous stories in the Bible involving female characters. It is a powerful illustration of Mary's love and gratitude toward Jesus and has been interpreted as a foreshadowing of his death and burial. The use of expensive perfume and the act of wiping Jesus' feet with her hair also point to Christ's identity as both Messiah-King and Servant-King.
It is worth noting that there are similar accounts in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, which describe a woman anointing Jesus with costly perfume. However, these accounts do not specify the woman's name, and the details differ slightly from the story of Mary of Bethany. For example, in Matthew and Mark's account, the woman anoints Jesus' head, not his feet, and she does not use her hair to dry them. These accounts are believed to refer to a different event and may carry prophetic significance, alluding to Jesus' death and burial.
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Mary's act of anointing Jesus' feet points to his identity as Messiah-King
Mary's act of anointing Jesus' feet with costly perfume is a profound act of worship and devotion, and it holds significant meaning in the Bible. This act points to Jesus' identity as the Messiah-King and foreshadows his death and burial.
In the Bible, the title "Messiah" or "Christ" means "the anointed one". Anointing someone with oil was a way to mark their special vocation and identity as chosen by God. Kings and priests were anointed, and Jesus, as the King of an eternal kingdom and humanity's high priest, was anointed by God in preparation for his life's work.
Mary's act of anointing Jesus' feet with expensive perfume from a jar, and then wiping them with her hair, is a powerful symbol of her wholehearted devotion and love for Jesus. It is an extravagant act of worship, where she sacrifices something valuable to express her love and honour Jesus. This act also foreshadows Jesus' burial, as anointing was part of the culture's preparation of a body for burial.
The act of anointing Jesus' feet also foreshadows the foot-washing at the Last Supper, where Jesus washes the disciples' feet, teaching them about humble service and sacrificial love. This act by Mary, Jesus' friend, also points to his humble position as the Servant-King.
The story of Mary anointing Jesus' feet is found in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. While Matthew and Mark do not name the woman, Luke identifies her as a sinful woman, and John names her as Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. This anointing takes place in the home of Simon the Leper in Bethany, and it is a unique and profound expression of love and devotion, pointing to Jesus' identity as the Messiah and his upcoming sacrifice.
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Mary Magdalene is not the sister of Lazarus
Mary of Bethany, sister of Martha and Lazarus, is the woman who anointed Jesus with expensive perfume. She is introduced in the Bible as sitting at Jesus' feet, listening to his teachings, while Martha took care of the household chores. Mary of Bethany is mentioned in the Gospel of John, where she is identified as the sister of Martha and Lazarus. She is described as anointing Jesus' feet with expensive perfume, an act of devotion and humility.
The Gospel of Luke also mentions Mary and Martha, contrasting their personalities. Martha is described as being encumbered about many things, while Mary is shown as choosing "the better part," that of listening to Jesus' teachings. This portrayal of the sisters is consistent with that found in the Gospel of John, where Martha is depicted as more aggressive, while Mary is quiet and contemplative.
Mary Magdalene, on the other hand, is a separate figure in the Bible. She is known for being freed from seven demons by Jesus and for being a devoted follower who traveled with Jesus and the disciples, taking care of their needs. She was present at significant moments, such as Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, but there is no indication that she was related to Lazarus or that she anointed Jesus with perfume.
While some people may confuse Mary of Bethany with Mary Magdalene due to similar events in the Gospels, they are distinct individuals. Mary of Bethany, sister of Martha and Lazarus, is specifically identified as anointing Jesus with perfume, while Mary Magdalene is not associated with this act in any of the Gospel accounts. Therefore, it is clear that Mary Magdalene is not the sister of Lazarus, and the two Marys should not be conflated.
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Mary's act of anointing Jesus' feet was an expression of her devotion to him
Mary's devotion to Jesus is further demonstrated through her act of anointing his feet with expensive perfume. This act is described in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, although only John identifies the woman as Mary of Bethany, sister of Martha and Lazarus. According to John, this event took place in the city of Bethany, six days before the Passover feast. Mary took a jar of expensive ointment made from pure nard and anointed Jesus' feet, wiping them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume (John 12:3).
Mary's act of anointing Jesus' feet was seen as a powerful expression of her love and devotion to him. It also foreshadowed Jesus' upcoming death and burial, as well as his role as the Messiah-King and Servant-King. Jesus defended Mary's action, saying, "You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me" (John 12:8). Mary's boldness and forthright behaviour, demonstrated through her willingness to sit at Jesus' feet and anoint him with perfume, show her deep devotion and her desire for God's teaching, regardless of societal expectations.
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Martha and Mary appear in the Gospel of John in connection with the raising of Lazarus from the dead
Martha and Mary are mentioned in the Gospel of John in connection with the raising of Lazarus from the dead. Martha and Mary were sisters who lived in the village of Bethany near Jerusalem, along with their brother Lazarus. When Jesus came to their village, Martha went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. Both sisters lamented to Jesus that if he had arrived sooner, their brother would not have died. Jesus responded to Martha by calling her to hope and faith, while his response to Mary was more emotional.
In the Gospel of John, Martha and Mary appear in connection with two incidents: the raising of their brother Lazarus from the dead, and the anointing of Jesus in Bethany. In the account of the raising of Lazarus, Jesus arrives in Bethany and meets with Martha and Mary in turn. Martha expresses her belief that Jesus can raise her brother from the dead, and Jesus reassures her that he is the resurrection and the life. They then go to Lazarus' tomb, and Jesus commands that the stone be removed from its entrance. Martha objects, saying that Lazarus has been dead for four days and there will be a bad odour, but Jesus replies that if she believes, she will see the glory of God. The stone is removed, and Jesus calls Lazarus forth alive from the tomb.
After the resurrection of Lazarus, a dinner is held in Jesus' honour, at which Martha serves and Lazarus is a guest. At this meal, Mary anoints Jesus with expensive perfume, pouring it on his feet and wiping them with her hair. This act of anointing is significant, pointing to Christ's identity as both Messiah-King and Servant-King. It also foreshadows Jesus' actions at the Last Supper when he washes the disciples' feet.
The story of the raising of Lazarus from the dead is one of the most memorable in the New Testament, and Martha and Mary play a critical role as his sisters. Some early copies of John's Gospel suggest that only Mary was part of the original story, and that Martha was added later. However, the inclusion of Martha may have been intentional to draw readers to another gospel story, Luke 10:38-42.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Martha's sister Mary poured perfume on Jesus' feet.
Mary of Bethany, also known as Mary Magdalene, is the sister of Martha and Lazarus.
Mary anointed Jesus with expensive perfume to show her devotion. This act also points to Christ's identity as Messiah-King and his humble position as Servant-King.
