Katrina Rosales
The anointing of Jesus by Mary, the sister of Lazarus, is a well-known event in the Bible. However, there is some ambiguity regarding whether Mary anointed Jesus once or twice. This discrepancy arises from differences in the Gospel accounts, specifically John, Matthew, Mark, and Luke. John's Gospel, in particular, has led to questions about whether Mary anointed Jesus twice, as it refers to the anointing in Chapter 11 Verse 2 and then describes the event in detail in Chapter 12 Verse 3. Interpretations vary, with some scholars suggesting that John is referring to the same event and that the reference in Chapter 11 is a 'flash forward', while others argue that Mary anointed Jesus twice, with the first anointing occurring before the death of Lazarus.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of times Mary anointed Jesus | Once or twice |
| Mary's relation to Jesus | Sister of Lazarus |
| Location | Bethany |
| Mary's act | An act of devotion and worship |
| Purpose of anointing | Jesus's burial |
| Cost of perfume | 300 pence or a year's wages for a standard labourer |
| Part of Jesus's body anointed | Head and feet |
| Timing | Six days before the Passover |
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What You'll Learn
Mary anointed Jesus' feet with costly perfume
The anointing of Jesus by Mary is a story that appears in the four gospels of the Bible: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. However, there are some discrepancies in the accounts, leading to questions about whether Mary poured perfume on Jesus once or twice.
In the Gospel of John, the story is told of Mary, the sister of Lazarus, anointing Jesus' feet with costly perfume. This event took place in Bethany, six days before Passover. Mary took a jar of expensive perfume, said to be worth 300 denarii, and poured it on Jesus' feet, wiping them with her hair. Judas, one of Jesus' disciples, criticized this act as a waste, but Jesus defended Mary, saying that she had done it in preparation for his burial and that they would not always have him with them.
Some scholars interpret this story as Mary anointing Jesus' feet twice. They point to the Gospel of John, Chapter 11 Verse 2, where John refers to the anointing as a past event, and then describes it in detail later in Chapter 12 Verse 3. This interpretation suggests that Mary performed the act of anointing Jesus' feet on two separate occasions.
However, others argue that the discrepancies in the gospel accounts do not necessarily indicate contradictions but rather emphasize different details. For example, Matthew and Mark's accounts mention that the perfume was poured on Jesus' head, while John focuses on the anointing of the feet. One possible explanation is that Mary poured the perfume on Jesus' head, and it then dripped onto his feet, which she wiped with her hair.
The anointing of Jesus' feet by Mary holds significant symbolic value. It points to Christ's identity as both the Messiah-King and the Servant-King. Additionally, it foreshadows Jesus' own act of washing his disciples' feet during the Last Supper, teaching them about sacrificial and humble service.
In conclusion, the story of Mary anointing Jesus' feet with costly perfume is a powerful narrative in the gospels, regardless of whether it occurred once or twice. It highlights Mary's gratitude, love, and preparation for Jesus' impending burial, as well as Jesus' acceptance and defense of her actions.
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This occurred six days before Passover
According to the Gospel of John, Jesus arrived in Bethany six days before the Passover. This is supported by the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, which state that Jesus rode into Jerusalem after arriving in Bethany. However, there is some ambiguity regarding the exact timeline due to different interpretations of the phrase "the next day" in John 12:12.
One interpretation suggests that Jesus entered Bethany just after sunset on Nisan 9, making the next day, when he travelled to Jerusalem, still Nisan 9. In this scenario, the Passover would fall on Friday, Nisan 14, contradicting the traditional understanding of Passover as occurring on Saturday, Nisan 15.
Another interpretation holds that Jesus entered Bethany during the daytime on Nisan 9, making the "next day" in John 12:12 Nisan 10. This interpretation aligns with the traditional understanding of Passover as occurring on Saturday, Nisan 15, and most scholars favour this dating.
The significance of the six-day timeframe before Passover is emphasised by the anointing of Jesus by Mary, the sister of Lazarus. This event, recorded in John 12:3, has led to discussions about whether Mary anointed Jesus once or twice. While some scholars interpret the Gospel of John as implying two separate anointings, others argue that the author is linking the raising of Lazarus and the anointing as two emotionally charged events that build towards the Passion of Christ.
The anointing itself holds symbolic significance, as the costly ointment poured on Jesus is associated with his impending burial. Jesus defends Mary's action, stating that the poor will always be present, but he will not always be with them. This act of devotion and preparation for Jesus' death sets the stage for the events of Passover and the crucifixion that follows.
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It was done as a declaration of love and worship
The anointing of Jesus by Mary, the sister of Lazarus, is mentioned in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The Gospel of John, in particular, refers to Mary anointing Jesus twice. In Chapter 11 Verse 2, John mentions the anointing by Mary in the past tense, and then describes the anointing in detail in Chapter 12 Verse 3. This has led to some confusion over whether Mary anointed Jesus once or twice.
Some scholars interpret this as Mary anointing Jesus on two separate occasions. The first anointing could be seen as a declaration of love and worship towards Jesus. This interpretation suggests that Mary was filled with passion and devotion after witnessing Jesus raise her brother Lazarus from the dead that she anointed Jesus' feet with costly perfume. This act filled the house with a heavenly fragrance, symbolizing the presence of God's Spirit.
The second anointing, mentioned in John 12:3, occurred six days before the Passover. Mary again anointed Jesus' feet with expensive perfume, this time wiping them with her hair. This act is seen as a costly act of worship, as the perfume was worth about a year's wages. It is also interpreted as a prophetic act, with Mary anointing Jesus in preparation for his burial, as mentioned in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John.
The anointing of Jesus by Mary is significant as it affirms his identity as the true prophet, High Priest, and king. It is a proclamation of Jesus' coming sacrifice and affirms his role as the promised Messiah, or "the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:17). The anointing by Mary, therefore, serves as a powerful declaration of her love, devotion, and worship towards Jesus.
While there are discrepancies in the Gospel accounts regarding the timing and specifics of the anointings, they can be interpreted as separate events, highlighting the deep relationship between Mary, her brother Lazarus, and Jesus. These anointings also reveal the faith and understanding of the women who recognized Jesus as the anointed one.
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The woman is unnamed in some accounts
The woman who anointed Jesus with perfume is unnamed in three of the four gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Only in the Gospel of John is she identified as Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. However, some scholars argue that the unnamed woman in Luke's account and the Mary in John's Gospel are not the same person, creating two discordant parallel stories.
In Luke's Gospel, the woman is assumed to be a prostitute and is referred to as "immoral." She is described as broken and sobbing as she enters the home of Simon the Pharisee, where Jesus is dining. She anoints Jesus' feet with fragrant oil from an alabaster jar, wiping them with her hair. Jesus forgives her sins.
In John's Gospel, Mary anoints Jesus' feet in the house of Lazarus, her brother, in Bethany. This anointing is believed to have taken place after Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead but before the crucifixion. John's account shares similarities with Matthew and Mark, including the location of Bethany and the use of expensive perfume from an alabaster flask. However, there are also key differences, such as the timing of the event relative to Passover.
The discrepancy in the woman's identity between Luke and John's accounts has led to various interpretations. Some suggest that Mary anointed Jesus twice, once in Luke's account and again in John's. Others propose that there were two different women who anointed Jesus on separate occasions, each with their own unique identities and circumstances.
The interpretation of the woman being unnamed in some accounts adds to the mystery and allows for multiple readings of the same event, highlighting the complex nature of the Gospel narratives and the challenges of interpreting them.
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The anointing is mentioned in all four gospels
The anointing of Jesus is indeed mentioned in all four gospels of the Bible—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. However, there are discrepancies in the accounts, leading to debates about whether Jesus was anointed once, twice, or thrice.
The Gospel of Luke mentions a woman anointing Jesus's feet with her tears and wiping them with her hair. This woman is referred to as "a sinner" or "a woman in that town who lived a sinful life", and some interpret this to mean a prostitute. However, Luke does not identify the woman as Mary of Bethany or Mary Magdalene. The location is also not specified as Bethany in Luke, and the host is a Pharisee named Simon, differing from the other gospels. Due to these differences, it is generally considered a separate event from the anointings described in the other three gospels.
The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John share significant similarities in their accounts. They all mention a woman anointing Jesus with expensive perfume from an alabaster flask or box in Bethany. The woman is criticised for wasting the perfume, which could have been sold to benefit the poor. Jesus defends her, stating that she has anointed him for his burial, a statement not made in Luke's account. John identifies the woman as Mary, sister of Martha and Lazarus, while Matthew and Mark do not name her.
The debate arises from the chronological order of the events and the interpretation of the texts. Some scholars interpret the Gospel of John as referring to two anointings by Mary—one before Jesus raised Lazarus and another during his return, mentioned in John 11:2 and 12:3, respectively. Others argue that John is referring to the same event, and the text structure is parenthetical.
While there are discrepancies in the details, the gospels' accounts of the anointing(s) are not necessarily contradictory. It is possible that there were two or three separate occasions of Jesus being anointed by a woman or women, with slight variations in the circumstances.
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Frequently asked questions
It is widely believed that Mary anointed Jesus twice. However, some sources argue that the anointing was only done once.
The first instance was when Jesus saved Lazarus, Mary's brother. The second instance was when Jesus returned later, six days before the Passover.
The Gospel accounts seem to indicate that Jesus was anointed before and after the Triumphal Entry. However, these are not contradictions but rather separate occasions of a woman anointing Jesus.
Mary's act of anointing Jesus with costly perfume can be interpreted as a random act of devotion and worship. However, it may also signify the affirmation of Jesus' identity and threefold ministry—declaring him to be the true prophet, a High Priest, and the king.
