Katrina Rosales
Mary's perfume, an ointment of spikenard, was extremely expensive. In John 12:3, the Bible states that Mary took a pound of ointment of spikenard, worth 300 denarii, and anointed the feet of Jesus. At the time, a denarius was a day's wage for labourers, meaning that the perfume was worth 300 days' salary, or a year's wages. Spikenard was a rare perfume extracted from grasses that grew in India, and the process of turning the grass into perfume was lengthy and costly. It was typically reserved for kings and nobility, and Mary's use of it to anoint Jesus' feet was considered wasteful by some of his disciples, including Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Amount | A pound, or 12 ounces, or a pint |
| Type | Spikenard, or nard |
| Cost | 300 denarii, or 300 days' wages, or $30,000-$35,000 |
| Use | Normally used for anointing the heads of kings and dignitaries |
| Container | A beautiful alabaster jar |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Mary's perfume was worth a year's wages
In John 12:3, the original Greek text describes the ointment as "very costly" (polutimos), indicating something of great worth and considerable financial value. Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' disciples, objected to Mary's use of the expensive perfume, suggesting it could have been sold and the money given to the poor. According to John 12:5, Judas stated that the perfume was worth three hundred pence or denarii, which was the equivalent of a labourer's daily wage. Therefore, Mary's perfume was worth three hundred days' salary, or a year's wages.
The value of the perfume can also be compared to the compensation for the loss of a servant, which was thirty pieces of silver as mentioned in Exodus 21:32. Even if Judas was paid in the most valuable coins, his fee for betraying Jesus was only about a third of the value of the perfume. This further emphasizes the extraordinary worth of Mary's gift.
Mary's act of anointing Jesus' feet with such an expensive perfume is significant. It symbolized her love, appreciation, and devotion to Jesus. It also foreshadowed Jesus' humble position as the Servant-King and his upcoming burial. Mary's gift, though criticized by some, was a beautiful expression of her faith and gratitude towards Jesus.
How to Send Perfume via Australia Post
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Spikenard was expensive to produce and transport
Spikenard, the perfume Mary used to anoint Jesus's feet, was expensive to produce and transport. The perfume was extracted from grasses that grew in India. The grasses were squeezed for their juices, which were then dried into a hard, lard-like substance. This substance was then turned into perfume, a lengthy and costly process. The perfume then had to be transported out of India, adding to the overall cost. Due to its high price, spikenard was typically only used as gifts for royalty and nobility.
The high cost of spikenard is reflected in the reactions of those who witnessed Mary anointing Jesus's feet. In John 12:5, Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus's disciples, questioned why the perfume was not sold and the money given to the poor. According to the text, the perfume was worth 300 denarii, or a year's wages. This was a significant sum, equivalent to a normal person's income for an entire year.
The expense of Mary's gift is also emphasised by the use of the Greek word "polutimos" in John 12:3 to describe the perfume as "very costly". The word "polutimos" is derived from the words "polus", meaning "much" or "great", and "timios", meaning "honour", "respect", or "worth". Together, they convey the idea of something being of considerable financial value.
The fact that Mary chose to use such a costly perfume to anoint Jesus's feet, rather than his head as was customary, further highlights its expense. This act of humility and devotion symbolised Mary's love, appreciation, and value for Jesus.
The value of the perfume also serves as a metaphor for the priceless nature of faith and the gospel. In the same way that Mary's gift was worth more than silver or gold, the spiritual treasures imparted by Jesus are considered to be of immeasurable worth.
Customized Perfume Toner: DIY Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The perfume was used to anoint Jesus' feet
The anointing of Jesus's feet with costly perfume by Mary is a significant event recorded in the Bible, specifically in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. This event highlights Mary's devotion and worship of Jesus and carries symbolic significance in the Christian faith.
According to the Gospel of John, Mary took "a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus" (John 12:3). Spikenard was an expensive and uncommon perfume derived from grasses grown in India. The extraction process was lengthy and costly, and the transportation of spikenard added to its high price, making it a luxury item accessible only to the wealthy. Mary's decision to use this precious perfume to anoint Jesus's feet was an extraordinary act of worship and devotion.
The Gospel of John also mentions that Mary wiped Jesus's feet with her hair after anointing them (John 12:3). This gesture symbolized humility and service, foreshadowing Jesus's own act of washing his disciples' feet during the Last Supper (John 13:1–20). By anointing Jesus's feet, Mary was honouring and recognizing his identity as the Messiah and Servant-King.
The costliness of the perfume is emphasized in the Gospels, with John describing it as "very costly" (polutimos in Greek) and noting that it was worth three hundred denarii, equivalent to a year's wage (John 12:5). This significant expense underscores the value of the gift and Mary's willingness to offer her most precious possession to Jesus.
The anointing of Jesus's feet by Mary is interpreted as an act of preparation for his burial. In the Gospel of John, Jesus accepts Mary's gift as a foretelling of his impending death and burial, reminding his disciples that they would not always have him with them (John 12:7). This event is strategically placed in the narrative to highlight Mary's loyal love for Christ, contrasting the betrayals he faced from Judas and the religious leaders.
The story of Mary anointing Jesus's feet with costly perfume serves as a reminder of the importance of devotion, worship, and sacrifice in the Christian faith. It showcases Mary's extravagant display of adoration and her recognition of Jesus's worth, setting an example for followers of Christ.
Beyonce's Fragrances: Are They Worth the Hype?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Judas criticised Mary for wasting the perfume
Judas criticised Mary for wasting a perfume that was worth a year's wages. Mary's perfume was made from pure nard, which was an uncommon and expensive perfume extracted from grasses that grew in India. The process of extracting the juices from the grass and drying them into a hard, lard-like substance was lengthy and costly. Transporting the perfume from India to other parts of the world also added to its cost.
In John 12:3, it is said that Mary took a pound of ointment of spikenard, worth three hundred pence, and anointed Jesus' feet with it. Judas Iscariot, who was one of Jesus' disciples and would later betray him, objected to this act, asking why the perfume was not sold and the money given to the poor. According to John 12:4-6, Judas did not say this because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief who helped himself to the money bag.
Mary's act of anointing Jesus' feet with expensive perfume symbolises her devotion to him and her deep love for the Lord. It also foreshadows Jesus' actions at the Last Supper, where he washes the disciples' feet and teaches them about humble service.
In contrast to Mary, Judas is portrayed as someone who focused on money and earthly things rather than eternal life and glory. He wasted his close relationship with Jesus by prioritising worldly gain over spiritual riches.
The criticism of Mary's use of expensive perfume is also mentioned in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, where the disciples or a sinful woman are criticised for wasting expensive perfume that could have been sold to benefit the poor. However, Jesus defends Mary and the woman in these accounts, stating that they have done a beautiful thing and that the perfume was intended for his burial.
How Perfumes Affect Your Heart Rate
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The perfume was worth 300 denarii
Mary's perfume was worth 300 denarii, which was a year's wages at the time. Denarii were a type of Roman coin, and a single denarius was a labourer's daily salary. In other words, Mary's perfume was worth 300 days' salary.
The perfume, made from pure nard, was contained in a twelve-ounce jar. Nard was an uncommon and expensive perfume, extracted from grasses that grew in India. The process of extracting the juices from the grass and drying them into a hard, lard-like substance was lengthy and costly. The cost of transporting nard from India to other parts of the world also contributed to its high price.
Mary's decision to use the perfume to anoint Jesus' feet was considered wasteful by some, including Judas Iscariot, who objected that the perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor. However, Jesus defended Mary, pointing out that she had a unique opportunity to honour him.
Mary's act of anointing Jesus' feet with expensive perfume is mentioned in all four gospels, although she is only named in the Gospel of John, where she is identified as Mary of Bethany, sister to Martha and Lazarus. This act of generosity and devotion to Jesus is remembered as a significant moment in Christian scripture.
Rihanna's Favorite Fragrances: A Heavenly Scent
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Mary's perfume was worth 300 denarii, a year's wages.
Spikenard, the kind of perfume Mary had, was extracted from grasses that grew in India. The process of turning the extracted grass juices into perfume was lengthy and costly. The perfume was so expensive that only a few people could afford it.
Mary's actions would have been considered wasteful by most people, but she loved, appreciated, and valued Jesus. She chose to anoint his feet, an act usually reserved for kings and dignitaries, to show her devotion.
