Antonio Mcgowan
Mary's gift of expensive perfume to Jesus is a well-known story in the Bible, but how did she acquire it? According to John 12:3, Mary took a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus. This act of anointing was not only a display of humility and worship, but also a break from cultural norms as this kind of perfume was typically used for kings and dignitaries, not for anointing feet. The expense of the perfume is emphasised by Judas Iscariot, who values it at a year's wages, and questions why it was not sold to benefit the poor. The source of Mary's perfume remains a mystery, with some speculating that it was part of a dowry or bridal gift, as perfume was traditionally used to anoint the bridal bed in Jewish weddings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the perfume | Spikenard, Nard or Ointment |
| Mary's act | Mary's act of using her hair as a towel to wipe Jesus' feet was an act of humility and worship |
| Cost of the perfume | Worth 300 days of salary, a year's income or 30 pieces of silver |
| Occasion | Dinner at the house of Lazarus, Martha and Mary |
| Location | Bethany |
| Timing | Six days before Passover |
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What You'll Learn
Mary's act of worship
Mary's act of anointing Jesus' feet with this costly perfume is significant for several reasons. Firstly, the amount and quality of the perfume demonstrate her extravagant love and gratitude towards Jesus. By using such a large amount of precious ointment, Mary is expressing her deep appreciation for Jesus, honouring Him in a way that was reserved for kings and dignitaries.
Secondly, the act of anointing Jesus' feet with her hair is an act of profound humility and service. In that culture, a woman's hair was considered her glory, and by using it to wipe Jesus' feet, Mary is showing her willingness to humble herself before Him. This act also symbolises her recognition of Jesus' deity and her submission to His authority.
Additionally, the timing of Mary's gift is noteworthy. This event took place just days before Jesus' crucifixion, as He was having dinner with His disciples in the home of Lazarus, whom He had recently raised from the dead. Mary's act of worship, therefore, becomes a foreshadowing of the sacrifice that Jesus was about to make. The fragrance of her perfume, filling the house, becomes a metaphor for the sweet aroma of Christ's sacrifice, which would soon permeate the world.
Moreover, the fact that Mary broke cultural norms and societal expectations by anointing Jesus' feet with such an expensive gift shows her willingness to put her love for Jesus above social conventions. This act of worship becomes a powerful statement of her faith and trust in Him.
Finally, Mary's gift points to the greater spiritual truth that our relationship with God is what He values most. While material possessions and financial offerings have their place, it is our hearts and our willingness to humble ourselves before Him that truly matter to God. Mary's act of worship, therefore, becomes a reminder that our greatest gift to God is our lives, surrendered and poured out as a fragrant offering of love and service.
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The high cost of spikenard
Mary's gift of spikenard to Jesus was extremely expensive. John 12:3 says, "Mary took a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus". Judas Iscariot, who was present, questioned why the ointment had not been sold and the money given to the poor, stating that it was worth 300 denarii (John 12:5). A denarius was a day's salary for a labourer, so Judas was suggesting that the perfume was worth 300 days of salary, or nearly a year's income.
The expense of the perfume is also evident in the way it was typically used. It was normally reserved for anointing the heads of kings and dignitaries, so Mary's use of it to anoint Jesus' feet would have been seen as a wasteful act by some. However, her actions also demonstrated her deep love and humility, as she gave Jesus the best gift she had to offer.
The sweet aroma of Mary's perfume is mentioned several times in the Bible, including in the garden of Gethsemane, where it is said to have intermingled with the blood, sweat, and tears of Jesus as he awaited his accusers. The fragrance of Mary's gift thus became a symbol of her devotion and sacrifice, spreading "the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere" (2 Corinthians 2:14-16 ESV).
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Judas' objection
Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus's disciples, objected to Mary's act of anointing Jesus's feet with a costly perfume. Judas questioned why the perfume was not sold and the money given to the poor. However, John 12:3 explains that Mary's act was an expression of her love, appreciation, and humility towards Jesus. The expensive perfume, worth almost a year's income, revealed that Jesus was Mary's highest priority.
Judas's objection highlights the contrast between him and Mary. While Mary is portrayed as generous, Judas is described as a thief, concerned only with his own gain. He kept the common purse and stole from it, indicating his greed and corruption.
Judas's objection also reflects the human tendency to judge others' actions based on our own values and beliefs. We may question the wisdom of Mary's extravagant act, but it is a reminder that true discipleship involves sacrifice and a willingness to follow Jesus, even when others may disagree.
Furthermore, Judas's objection can be seen as a distraction from his true intention to betray Jesus. By focusing on the monetary value of the perfume, Judas attempts to shift attention away from his own disloyalty and selfish motives.
Judas's objection serves as a lesson in discernment and prioritization. While it is important to care for the poor, as Jesus affirmed, our ultimate treasure should be in Christ. Mary's act challenges us to examine our own hearts and prioritize our relationship with Jesus above all else.
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The anointing of Jesus' feet
Mary's act of anointing Jesus' feet with expensive perfume is a significant event in the Christian tradition, with profound symbolic meaning. This event, recorded in John 12:3-6, took place six days before Passover, during a dinner hosted by Lazarus, Martha, and Mary, in the town of Bethany.
Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha, brought a jar containing about a pint of very expensive perfume, specifically, pure nard. Nard, also known as spikenard, was a highly valued ointment, typically used to anoint the heads of kings and dignitaries. Mary's decision to use it to anoint Jesus' feet was an extraordinary act of devotion and humility.
As Mary poured the perfume on Jesus' feet and wiped them with her hair, the sweet fragrance filled the entire house. This act symbolised Mary's love, appreciation, and honour for Jesus. It was an extravagant gesture, demonstrating that Jesus was her highest priority.
Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' disciples, objected to Mary's action. He suggested that the perfume should have been sold, and the money given to the poor. According to Judas, the perfume was worth a year's wages, or three hundred days' salary. However, his concern was not genuine; he was a thief and was motivated by his own greed, as he was the keeper of the money box and often stole from it.
Mary's gift of expensive perfume holds a deeper significance. In the Old Testament, fragrant offerings were made to God as a sacrifice and a symbol of seeking forgiveness. Mary's gift can be seen as a foreshadowing of Jesus' sacrifice and his role as the "fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (Ephesians 5:2 ESV). The aroma of Mary's perfume is also mentioned in the garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus agonised and prayed before his crucifixion, creating a symbolic connection between Mary's gift and Jesus' sacrifice.
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The fragrance that filled the house
Mary's gift of perfume to Jesus was an incredibly precious offering. The sweet fragrance of the perfume filled the house and the aroma was so strong that it is said to have lingered in the air around Jesus as he awaited his accusers in the garden of Gethsemane.
The perfume was made from pure nard, or spikenard, and was worth a year's wages. In John 12:3, it is described as "very costly". Mary poured the perfume over Jesus' feet, an act of humility and devotion, and then wiped his feet with her hair. This was an enormous amount of perfume to use in this way, as it was typically used to anoint the heads of kings and dignitaries.
The apostle Paul refers to this act in First Corinthians 11:15 when he writes that a woman's hair is her "glory". Mary's act of drying Jesus' feet with her hair was an act of worship, demonstrating how deeply she loved and valued him.
The fragrance of Mary's perfume filled the house and was a powerful symbol of her devotion. It is also symbolic of the spread of the "fragrance of the knowledge of Christ", as described in 2 Corinthians 2:14-16. This passage describes how Christians spread the "aroma of Christ" to those who are being saved and those who are perishing.
The perfume was so valuable that Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' disciples, objected to its use, saying that it should have been sold and the money given to the poor. However, as the keeper of the money bag, Judas was a thief and his objection was motivated by his own greed rather than a genuine concern for the poor.
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Frequently asked questions
It is unknown how Mary afforded the perfume, but it is speculated that it was a dowry for the bride, as per Jewish tradition.
Mary's actions were a display of her love and appreciation for Jesus. She gave Jesus the best gift she had to offer, demonstrating her humility.
The perfume was made from pure nard, also known as spikenard.
The perfume was worth about a year's wages, or 300 days' wages, which was approximately 91-75 pieces of silver.
Anointing the head with oil was a common practice in ancient times, but anointing the feet was considered a more intimate and humble act. Mary's actions symbolised her devotion and service to Jesus.
