Heidi Norton
The anointing of Jesus is recorded in the four gospels, with two women mentioned by name. The first, Mary of Bethany, sister of Martha and Lazarus, is identified in the Gospel of John. The second, unnamed woman is referred to in Luke as a sinful woman. There are several differences in the accounts, including the timing and location of the anointing, as well as the body part that was anointed. Despite these differences, the stories share a common theme of forgiveness and love, with Jesus defending the women's actions and highlighting their faith and gratitude.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of women | 2 |
| Number of anointings | 2 |
| Gospels that mention the anointing | Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John |
| Location | Bethany, a village in Judea on the southeastern slope of the Mount of Olives |
| Woman in Matthew and Mark | Anonymous |
| Woman in Luke | Anonymous, referred to as a sinner |
| Woman in John | Mary of Bethany, sister of Martha and Lazarus |
| Date of anointing in Matthew and Mark | Two days before Passover |
| Date of anointing in John | Six days before Passover |
| Date of anointing in Luke | Unspecified |
| Part of Jesus's body anointed in Matthew, Mark, and John | Head |
| Part of Jesus's body anointed in Luke and John | Feet |
| Container for the perfume | Alabaster jar |
| Type of perfume | Expensive, made of pure nard |
| Cost of perfume | 300 denarii, more than a year's wages |
| Response of disciples | Indignant, referring to the act as a "waste" |
| Jesus's response | "Leave her alone," "She has done a beautiful thing to me," "Your faith has saved you; go in peace" |
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What You'll Learn
The woman who anointed Jesus
The anointing of Jesus by Mary took place six days before Passover in the village of Bethany, in Judea. Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard and anointed Jesus' feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. This act of anointing was a gesture of humble service and pointed to Christ's identity as Messiah-King.
In the other three gospels, the woman is described as a sinner who anoints Jesus' feet with her tears, kisses them, and then pours perfume on them. This act of anointing is seen as a sign of her love and gratitude for Jesus' forgiveness of her sins.
The accounts in Matthew and Mark seem to describe the same event, which takes place two days before Passover in Bethany at the home of Simon the Leper. In this account, the woman pours the perfume on Jesus' head as he reclines at the table. The disciples are indignant, calling it a waste, as the perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor. Jesus defends the woman, stating that the poor can be helped at any time, but he will not always be with them.
The anointing of Jesus by Mary and the anonymous woman in the other gospels are both significant and memorable events that point to Christ's imminent death and burial.
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The significance of the anointing
The anointing of Jesus by a woman is mentioned in all four gospels, though the accounts differ in certain details. The gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John describe a similar event, while Luke's account is considered separate by many scholars due to its distinct details.
In the Gospel of Matthew (26:6-7,13), an anonymous woman anoints Jesus' head with expensive perfume from an alabaster flask while he is dining at the home of Simon the Leper in Bethany. This takes place two days before Passover. The disciples, including Judas, criticize the action as a waste, arguing that the perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor. Jesus defends the woman, stating that she has prepared him for burial and that her act will be remembered.
Mark's Gospel (14:3-9) describes a similar event, also involving an anonymous woman anointing Jesus' head with costly perfume. This occurs a few days before Jesus' crucifixion and is set in the home of Simon the Leper. The disciples again express indignation at the perceived waste of expensive perfume. Jesus responds by defending the woman, emphasizing the significance of her act in preparing him for burial.
John's Gospel identifies the woman as Mary of Bethany, sister of Martha and Lazarus. Six days before Passover, Mary anoints Jesus' feet with expensive perfume made from nard and wipes them with her hair. This act foreshadows Jesus' humble service at the Last Supper. Judas objects to the waste of the perfume, and Jesus reiterates the importance of Mary's gesture and its connection to his impending death.
Luke's Gospel (7:36-50) presents a different account, featuring an unnamed sinful woman. This event occurs during Jesus' ministry in Galilee and focuses on forgiveness and love. The woman anoints Jesus' feet with her tears, wipes them with her hair, and kisses them. Simon, the Pharisee hosting the dinner, questions Jesus' prophetic abilities due to his apparent unawareness of the woman's sinful nature. Jesus responds with a parable about forgiveness and love, emphasizing the woman's faith and the forgiveness of her sins.
Each account, despite its differences, underscores the impact of the anointing and the woman's devotion, which stands in contrast to the criticism and indignation of those around her. The anointing becomes a powerful symbol of Jesus' impending sacrifice and the transformative nature of his ministry.
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The woman's identity
The Gospels tell of at least two separate occasions when a woman anoints Jesus with costly perfume. The first woman is unnamed in the accounts by Matthew, Mark, and Luke, but the Gospel of John identifies her as Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. The second woman is also unnamed, but referred to as a "sinful woman" in the town where Jesus was dining at a Pharisee's house.
The identity of Mary of Bethany
Mary of Bethany is identified as the woman who anoints Jesus in the Gospel of John. She is said to be the sister of Martha and Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead. Overwhelmed with gratitude, Mary anoints Jesus' feet and wipes them with her hair. This gesture is seen as an act of loving extravagance and an expression of her faith.
The identity of the "sinful woman"
The "sinful woman" in Luke's Gospel is unnamed and is often considered a separate individual from Mary of Bethany. She is described as a woman who lived a sinful life and was moved by her love and gratitude towards Jesus. She anoints Jesus' feet with her tears, wipes them with her hair, and kisses them. Her actions are seen as a sign of her repentance and forgiveness.
Interpretations of the two women
Some scholars interpret the two women as symbolizing different aspects of discipleship or as representing the joy and gratitude that comes from knowing Jesus. The stories of these women also highlight the importance of hospitality and humility in the Christian faith.
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The timing of the anointing
In the Gospel of Matthew (26:6-7,13) and Mark (14:3-9), the anointing takes place two days before Passover in the town of Bethany at the home of Simon the Leper. This timing, just before Passover, is significant as it foreshadows Jesus' imminent death and burial. By anointing Jesus, the woman is preparing him for what is to come.
However, the Gospel of John (12:1-8) places the anointing six days before Passover, also in Bethany. This earlier timing is significant as it allows for a different interpretation of the event. In John's account, the woman is identified as Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. Mary's act of anointing Jesus' feet with costly perfume and wiping them with her hair becomes a symbol of her gratitude for Jesus raising her brother Lazarus from the dead.
Luke's account (7:36-50) is also believed to be a separate event, occurring earlier in Jesus' ministry in the northern regions of Nain and Capernaum. In this account, the woman is unnamed and described as a "sinful woman," emphasizing the theme of forgiveness.
Despite the differences in timing and details, the anointing of Jesus by a woman with costly perfume is a significant event in all four gospels. It highlights the woman's love, gratitude, and preparation for Jesus' impending death, burial, and ultimately, his resurrection.
Overall, the timing of the anointing varies across the gospels, but each account emphasizes different aspects of the event, contributing to the rich symbolism and theological significance of this story in Christian tradition.
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The location of the anointing
There are several accounts of anointings of Jesus's head or feet, recorded in the four gospels. The accounts in Matthew 26, Mark 14, and Luke 7:36–50, take place on Holy Wednesday, while the account in John 12 takes place six days before Passover.
The anointing in John also takes place in Bethany, a village in Judaea on the southeastern slope of the Mount of Olives, where Lazarus lived. This is the home of Mary of Bethany, sister of Martha and Lazarus, who is identified as the woman who anoints Jesus.
The timing of the anointing in Luke's account also differs from the other three gospels. Luke's anointing occurs in the middle of Jesus's ministry in Galilee, while the other three gospels place the anointing near the final week leading up to Jesus's death.
Despite these differences, there are also some overlapping similarities between the accounts. All four gospels mention an unnamed sinful woman who anoints Jesus with a costly jar of perfume. The woman's actions in each account signal more than she knows, pointing to Christ's identity as Messiah-King.
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Frequently asked questions
There are two stories in the Gospels about a woman pouring perfume on Jesus.
In the first story, the woman is unnamed and pours perfume on Jesus' head. In the second story, the woman is identified as Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, and she pours perfume on Jesus' feet.
The woman in the first story is often interpreted as a sinner who is forgiven by Jesus. The woman in the second story is interpreted as preparing Jesus for his burial.
