Antonio Mcgowan
The anointing of Jesus by Mary is recorded in all four Gospels, with slight variations in the narrative. John identifies the woman as Mary, sister of Martha and Lazarus, while Matthew, Mark, and Luke refer to her as a woman. The anointing is significant as it foreshadows Jesus' burial and serves as a teaching moment for the disciples. Mary's act of devotion and love towards Jesus is emphasized, and Jesus defends her against criticism, stating that her act will be remembered forever. The use of expensive perfume, worth about a year's wages, further highlights the significance of the moment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of incidents | Two |
| Location | Bethany |
| Date | Six days before Passover |
| Participants | Jesus, Mary, Judas, disciples |
| Object used | Expensive perfume |
| Container | Alabaster flask |
| Cost | 300 denarii, a year's wages |
| Purpose | Preparation for burial |
| Biblical references | Matthew 26:6–13; Mark 14:3–9; Luke 7:36–50; John 12:1–8 |
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What You'll Learn
- The woman who anointed Jesus is identified as Mary of Bethany in the Gospel of John
- The anointing of Jesus' head and feet is symbolic of his kingship and servitude
- The perfume used by Mary was costly, worth about a year's wages
- The Gospel of Luke describes a sinful woman anointing Jesus' feet with her tears
- The Gospel accounts of Jesus' anointing differ but share many similarities
The woman who anointed Jesus is identified as Mary of Bethany in the Gospel of John
The anointing of Jesus by a woman is recorded in all four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. In the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, the woman is unnamed. However, in the Gospel of John, she is identified as Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus.
In John's Gospel, Mary anoints Jesus' feet with a costly perfume made from essence of nard, wiping them with her hair. This is detailed in John 12:3, which reads:
> "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."
This anointing takes place in Bethany, six days before Passover, at a dinner hosted for Jesus. Judas Iscariot is named as the disciple who objects to this act, calling it a "waste". In response, Jesus defends Mary, saying:
> "You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me" (John 12:8).
Mary's act of anointing Jesus' feet foreshadows his actions at the Last Supper, where he washes the disciples' feet, teaching them about sacrificial service (John 13:1–20). Additionally, the anointing points to Christ's identity as both the Messiah-King and the Servant-King.
It is worth noting that there are differences in the accounts of the anointing across the four Gospels. While John identifies the woman as Mary of Bethany, Luke describes a "sinful woman" who anoints Jesus' feet and wipes them with her hair (Luke 7:36–50). Some have assumed that Mary of Bethany and the sinful woman in Luke's Gospel are the same person. However, this interpretation has been disputed, and it is generally accepted that there were two distinct anointing events.
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The anointing of Jesus' head and feet is symbolic of his kingship and servitude
The anointing of Jesus by Mary of Bethany with expensive perfume is recorded in all four Gospels. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John describe the same event, while Luke's account is believed to be a separate story.
In the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John, Mary is said to have anointed Jesus' head with a costly jar of perfume. This act may be symbolic of Jesus' kingship, as the anointing of the head was often associated with the dedication of kings in the Old Testament. Matthew's Gospel, in particular, may highlight this connection, as it frequently alludes to the Old Testament and points to Jesus as the Messiah of Israel.
In John's Gospel, Mary is identified as the sister of Martha and Lazarus. She anoints Jesus' feet with a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume and wipes them with her hair. This act may symbolize Jesus' humble position as a Servant-King, as it foreshadows his actions at the Last Supper when he washes the disciples' feet, teaching them about sacrificial service. John's emphasis on the anointing of Jesus' feet may be connected to this theme of servitude.
Luke's account describes a different woman, referred to as "a sinful woman" or possibly a prostitute, who anoints Jesus' feet with her tears and perfume. This story takes place earlier in Jesus' ministry and is used to teach a lesson on forgiveness and love. While it may differ in some details, it still shares similarities with the other accounts, and scholars generally agree that all four Gospels refer to the same episode.
The anointing of Jesus' head and feet by Mary and the unnamed woman in these Gospel accounts is thus symbolic of his kingship and servitude. These acts of devotion and preparation for burial highlight different aspects of Jesus' nature and mission, as interpreted through the theological lenses of the Gospel writers.
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The perfume used by Mary was costly, worth about a year's wages
The Bible recounts an episode in which Jesus was anointed with costly perfume by a woman named Mary. This event is recorded in all four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. According to the Gospel of John, Mary took a "very expensive" jar of perfume made from essence of nard, worth about 300 denarii, and anointed Jesus' feet, wiping them with her hair.
The cost of the perfume is emphasized in the Gospel accounts. In Mark's version, the critics of Mary describe her gift as excessive, stating that it could have been sold for more than a year's wages. This sentiment is echoed in other passages, suggesting that the perfume was worth a substantial amount.
Estimates place the value of the perfume at a minimum of 300 pence, which was the standard daily wage in the Roman province during the Biblical period. In today's terms, this would be equivalent to approximately $32. However, others calculate the value to be much higher, ranging from $12,000 to $40,000-$50,000, which aligns with the notion that it was worth a year's salary.
The extravagance of Mary's act amazed and outraged those around her. However, Jesus defended her, accepting her gift as a selfless act of love and devotion, and a preparation for his burial. This episode highlights the prophetic significance of Jesus' anointing, foreshadowing his death and burial, as well as his identity as the Messiah-King.
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The Gospel of Luke describes a sinful woman anointing Jesus' feet with her tears
This event is described as taking place in the middle of Jesus' ministry in Galilee, about a year before his death. It is one of three separate occasions on which Jesus is anointed with fragrant ointment in his work as the Saviour and King of Heaven. The anointing by the sinful woman is unique in that it is the only instance in which Jesus' feet are anointed, and it is also the only account that mentions tears.
The anointing by the sinful woman in Luke's Gospel is often conflated with the anointing of Jesus by Mary of Bethany, as recorded in the Gospel of John. In John's account, Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, anoints Jesus' feet with expensive perfume and wipes them with her hair. This event takes place in Bethany six days before Passover, and is criticised by Judas, who calls it a "waste". Jesus defends Mary, saying that she has done a beautiful thing and that her act will be remembered wherever the gospel is preached.
While the anointings described in Luke and John share some similarities, they are generally considered to be independent events. The differences between the accounts include the timing, location, and identity of the woman involved. In addition, Luke's account includes the Parable of the Two Debtors, which is not mentioned in John's Gospel.
The anointing by the sinful woman in Luke's Gospel is interpreted as a story of love, forgiveness, and contrast between self-righteousness and overflowing love. It highlights Jesus' ability to forgive and his acceptance of those who are considered sinners.
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The Gospel accounts of Jesus' anointing differ but share many similarities
The story of Jesus being anointed with perfume is recorded in all four Gospels, but the accounts differ in several ways. For instance, in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John, the woman who anoints Jesus is in the home of Simon the Leper, whereas in Luke, the woman is in the home of a Pharisee named Simon. In the first three Gospels, the woman is not named, but John identifies her as Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus.
Despite these differences, the Gospel accounts of Jesus' anointing share many similarities. All four Gospels describe a woman anointing Jesus with expensive perfume during a meal, to which someone objects. The central message of the stories in Matthew, Mark, and John is also very similar, with some minor differences. For example, in Matthew and Mark, the woman anoints Jesus' head, while in John and Luke, she anoints his feet and wipes them with her hair.
In addition, all four Gospels present an account of Jesus being anointed by a woman with a costly jar of perfume. Matthew and Mark relate the same event but do not give the woman's name, while Luke tells of a different woman, also anonymous, on an earlier occasion. In John's Gospel, the woman is identified as Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus.
The anointing of Jesus is also associated with his death and burial in all four Gospels. In Matthew and Mark, Jesus says that the perfume was poured "on my body," indicating that it was used to prepare for his burial. John's Gospel also mentions that Mary anointed Jesus' feet with expensive perfume, and Jesus accepted it as a preparation for his burial.
While there are some discrepancies between the Gospel accounts of Jesus' anointing, it is important to note that the gospel writers may have chosen to record and emphasize different details without necessarily contradicting each other. As such, the similarities between the accounts suggest that they are telling the same story, even if there are some variations in the specifics.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Mary of Bethany, sister of Martha and Lazarus, anointed Jesus with a jar of expensive perfume.
Mary's act of anointing Jesus was to prepare for his burial.
Mary anointed Jesus' feet with perfume at a dinner in the city of Bethany.
Judas was upset at the "waste" of the expensive perfume, but Jesus defended Mary, saying that she had done a beautiful thing.
Mary's anointing of Jesus points to his identity as the Messiah-King and also to his humble position as the Servant-King.
