Katrina Rosales
The Bible describes an instance where Mary of Bethany anoints Jesus' feet with a jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard. The perfume was contained in an alabaster jar, which Mary broke to release its contents. The cost of the perfume was about a year's wages, estimated to be $40,000-$50,000 in today's money. The high cost of the perfume was due to its rare and time-consuming production process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Material of the jar | Alabaster |
| Contents of the jar | Expensive perfume/ointment |
| Origin of the perfume | Northern India |
| Primary ingredient of the perfume | Nard |
| Cost of the perfume | A year's worth of wages, $25,000 |
| Amount of perfume | 12 ounces |
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What You'll Learn
The perfume was made of pure nard from Northern India
The perfume in the alabaster jar was made of pure nard, also known as spikenard, a class of aromatic amber-coloured essential oil derived from the Nardostachys jatamansi plant. This plant is a member of the honeysuckle family and grows in the Himalayas of Nepal, China, and India. The oil has been used for centuries as a perfume, traditional medicine, or in religious ceremonies across a wide territory, from India to Europe.
In ancient Rome, nardus was used to flavour wine and was the main ingredient in a perfume called unguentum nardinum. It is also mentioned in the Bible, where it is described as being used for its fragrance: "While the king was on his couch, my nard gave forth its fragrance".
The woman who anointed Jesus' head with the perfume from the alabaster jar was criticised for the way she chose to allocate her resources. The perfume was very expensive, costing about a year's wages, and some believed that the money could have been better used by liquidating the asset and dispersing the funds. However, Jesus himself affirmed the woman's actions, recognising the sacrifice she had made and the loving heart she demonstrated.
The scent of the nard perfume was likely beautiful, and it is said that the house was filled with its fragrance. The use of pure nard from Northern India indicates the high value and quality of the perfume, making it a precious and costly offering.
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It was worth a year's wages
The alabaster jar of perfume that the woman brought to Jesus is mentioned in the Bible in Luke 7:36–37 NLT, Matthew 26:6-13, and John 12:5. It is described as being worth a year's wages, which in today's money would be tens of thousands of dollars.
The perfume was made from pure nard, a plant that grows in the Himalayas, and was likely imported from Northern India. Nard was a costly substance, and the perfume was also expensive because it deteriorated rapidly and had to be sealed in alabaster jars. The alabaster itself was also valuable as it formed only in dark caves at an incredibly slow rate of 0.25–3mm per year.
The woman's action of anointing Jesus with the perfume is described as a beautiful demonstration of her loving heart and an incredible act of worship. In the Bible, Jesus affirms her action, saying that she did it in preparation for his burial.
The cost of the perfume is also mentioned in connection with Judas Iscariot, who criticized the woman for not selling the perfume and giving the money to the poor. However, Jesus defended her, saying that she had made a sacrifice that pleased him and that they would not always have him but would always have the poor among them.
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The woman who gave it to Jesus was criticised for her allocation of resources
The woman who anointed Jesus with perfume from an alabaster jar was criticised for her allocation of resources. The perfume was very expensive, costing about a year's worth of wages. In three of the gospels (Matthew 26:8-9, Mark 14:4-5, and John 12:4), the woman is criticised for not using the money from the perfume to help the poor instead. However, Jesus affirms her actions, praising her loving heart.
This woman, who remains unnamed, is often referred to as an "immoral woman" or a "sinner." Despite this, she is one of many women who played a significant role in supporting Jesus' ministry. These women, including Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna, used their own wealth and resources to express their gratitude to Jesus and further his work. They accompanied him, listened to his teachings, and witnessed his miracles. They also demonstrated bravery by staying with him during his crucifixion, preparing spices for his body, and being the first at his tomb.
The inclusion of these women in the Bible challenges traditional gender roles and highlights the broader roles that women played beyond being just mothers and wives. Their financial support of Jesus' ministry also contradicts the argument that women should stay at home while men work and provide financially for the family. Instead, these women were independent financial patrons, actively involved in Jesus' ministry.
The alabaster jar of perfume becomes a symbol of sacrifice and love. The woman's act of anointing Jesus with the expensive perfume demonstrates her devotion and gratitude, and Jesus values this expression above the monetary value of the perfume. This incident teaches Christians to use their worldly wealth or possessions to further God's kingdom, just as these women did.
Overall, the criticism of the woman's allocation of resources highlights the importance of sacrificial love and gratitude. Her actions, affirmed by Jesus, become a lesson for Christians to prioritise spiritual matters above earthly possessions.
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The perfume was kept in an alabaster jar, which was a slowly forming substance
The woman who anointed Jesus with perfume is mentioned in all four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). In the Gospel of Matthew, the woman is described as bringing an "alabaster jar" or "alabaster vial" of "very costly perfume" and pouring it on Jesus' head. The Gospel of Mark also mentions the woman breaking an "alabaster jar" of expensive perfume and using it to anoint Jesus' feet.
Alabaster is a slowly forming substance, growing only in dark caves at a rate of 0.25-3mm per year. It is a fine-grained variety of gypsum, often used for decorative items such as vases and figurines. Due to its properties, alabaster was ideal for storing perfume. The perfume in question was likely made from nard, a costly ointment imported from India or elsewhere in the East. It is estimated that the perfume was worth about a year's wages, or approximately 300 denarii, which is about $54,509 in U.S. dollars.
The woman's act of anointing Jesus with such expensive perfume is seen as a powerful demonstration of her love, devotion, and gratitude. It is also speculated that the perfume may have been part of her dowry, making her sacrifice even more significant. The breaking of the alabaster jar represented the pouring out of her treasure, honour, and worship.
The disciples, particularly Judas Iscariot, criticized the woman's action, suggesting that the perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor. However, Jesus defended her, saying that her act was in preparation for his burial.
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The perfume was used to anoint Jesus' head and feet
The anointing of Jesus is described in all four gospels, with some differences in the accounts. The gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John describe a woman anointing Jesus' head with costly perfume from an alabaster jar. The event takes place in Bethany, either two or six days before Passover, in the home of Simon the leper.
In Matthew's gospel, the woman pours the perfume on Jesus' head as He reclines at the table (Matthew 26:6-7). Mark's account describes the same event (Mark 14:3). Luke's account differs, describing an earlier anointing by an immoral woman, who anoints Jesus' feet with her tears and dries them with her hair (Luke 7:36-50). John's gospel identifies the woman as Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus (John 11:2). Mary anoints Jesus' feet with costly perfume, an act that is criticized by Judas, who considers it a waste (John 12:2-3, 12:8).
The anointing of Jesus' head and feet holds symbolic significance. By anointing His head, the woman recognizes Jesus as the Messiah-King. Applying perfume to the feet, an exposed and humble part of the body, signifies Jesus' role as the Servant-King. The anointing also foreshadows Jesus' burial, as noted by Jesus Himself (John 12:7).
The cost of the perfume and the woman's act of anointing draw criticism in three of the gospels (Matthew 26:8-9; Mark 14:4-5; John 12:4). The perfume is said to be worth a year's wages or 300 denarii, and some argue that it could have been sold and the money given to the poor. However, Jesus defends the woman's action, emphasizing the uniqueness of the moment and the expression of her love and devotion (Matthew 26:10-13; Mark 14:6-9; John 12:7-8).
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Frequently asked questions
The alabaster jar of perfume was worth about a year's wages, which in today's money would be tens of thousands of dollars.
The perfume was made from pure nard, a plant that grows in the Himalayas. It was also very pungent and deteriorated rapidly, meaning it had to be sealed in alabaster jars, which were costly to produce.
Jesus was pleased with the woman's sacrifice, saying, "It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial." He also affirmed her actions, saying, "You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me."
