Seamus Hammond
The anointing of Jesus is described in all four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). In the Gospel of John, Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, anoints Jesus' feet with a very expensive perfume, wiping them with her hair. The perfume was worth a year's wages, or three hundred days' salary, according to Judas Iscariot, who objected to this use. In the Gospel of Luke, a different anonymous woman anoints Jesus' feet, also using her hair to wipe them. In the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, an anonymous woman anoints Jesus' head with a costly perfume. The anointing of Jesus is linked to his death and burial, and the women's actions are seen as acts of worship and gratitude.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Bethany, in the home of Simon the Leper |
| Woman's Identity | Mary of Bethany, sister of Martha and Lazarus |
| Container | Alabaster jar |
| Amount | 12 ounces, a pint, or 300 silver coins |
| Cost | A year's wages |
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What You'll Learn
The woman who poured perfume on Jesus
In the Gospel of John, Mary is described as pouring "about a pint" of nard on Jesus' feet. Nard was a very expensive perfume, worth a year's wages. In the Gospel of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, the woman is not named, but she is described as pouring an alabaster jar of expensive perfume on Jesus' head.
The act of anointing Jesus' feet with perfume is seen as a foreshadowing of Jesus' burial and an act of worship and devotion. It is also seen as a sign of Jesus' identity as the Messiah-King and his humble position as the Servant-King.
The woman's action of pouring perfume on Jesus is often contrasted with the criticism of the disciples, who saw it as a waste. Jesus defends the woman, saying that she has done a beautiful thing and that her act of anointing will be remembered wherever the gospel is preached.
The story of the woman who poured perfume on Jesus is a significant event in the Gospels, symbolizing love, devotion, and gratitude towards Christ. It also highlights the importance of sacrificial and humble service, as demonstrated by Jesus during the Last Supper when he washed the disciples' feet.
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The significance of the anointing
The anointing of Jesus is a significant event in the Bible, mentioned in all four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). The Gospels tell the story of a woman who anoints Jesus with expensive perfume, and this act carries profound symbolic and spiritual meaning.
Firstly, the anointing symbolises honour and worship. In the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John, the woman pours the perfume on Jesus' head, which is a gesture of honour and reverence. In Luke's account, the woman anoints Jesus' feet and wipes them with her hair, which is an act of humble service and devotion. This foreshadows Jesus' own act of humility at the Last Supper when he washes the disciples' feet.
Secondly, the anointing signifies preparation for burial. Jesus himself interprets the act of anointing as a preparation for his impending death and burial. He says, "She has done a beautiful thing to me... She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial" (Mark 14:6,8). This connects the anointing with Jesus' sacrificial death and foreshadows his crucifixion and burial.
Thirdly, the anointing highlights Jesus' identity as the Messiah. By anointing Jesus, the woman recognises and honours his messianic status. The word "Messiah" means "anointed one," indicating that the act of anointing is a proclamation of Jesus' divine role as the chosen one of God.
Finally, the anointing symbolises forgiveness and grace. In Luke's account, the woman is identified as a sinner, and her act of anointing is connected with her sins and Jesus' forgiveness. Jesus uses the occasion to teach about forgiveness and love, saying, "her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown" (Luke 7:47). This demonstrates that the anointing is not just a physical act but also a spiritual act of repentance and gratitude.
In conclusion, the significance of the anointing of Jesus goes beyond the mere act of pouring perfume. It symbolises honour, worship, preparation for burial, the recognition of Jesus' messianic identity, and the transformative power of forgiveness and grace. Through this event, the Bible conveys the importance of humble service, sacrificial love, and gratitude for God's forgiveness.
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The cost of the perfume
The perfume is described as being worth a year's wages, or three hundred days' salary, and is said to have been kept for Mary's wedding day. The original Greek word used to describe the perfume is "polutimos," which conveys the idea of something with great worth or considerable financial value.
The perfume, made of pure nard, was extracted from grasses that grew in India. The process of turning the grass juices into perfume was lengthy and costly. This kind of ointment was typically used to anoint the heads of kings and dignitaries, not for anointing feet, which made Mary's act all the more significant.
The disciples, including Judas Iscariot, objected to the use of such expensive perfume, suggesting that it should have been sold and the money given to the poor. However, Jesus defended Mary's action, saying that it was an act of preparation for his burial and that her gift would be remembered wherever the gospel was preached.
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The disciples' criticism
The anointing of Jesus is described in all four gospels, with some differences in the accounts. The gospels of Matthew and Mark do not name the woman who anoints Jesus, while Luke's gospel tells of a different anonymous woman, and John identifies her as Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. According to John, Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would later betray Jesus, was the one who criticised Mary's act, saying:
> Why wasn't this perfume sold for 300 silver coins and the money given to the poor?"
However, other gospel accounts suggest that it was the disciples collectively who criticised the act, expressing indignation and accusing Jesus of allowing a sinner to touch him. They asked:
> "Why this waste? [...] This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor."
Judas's criticism, as described in John's gospel, may have been motivated by his role as the carrier of the money bag, from which he sometimes stole. In response to the criticism, Jesus defended Mary, emphasising the uniqueness of the opportunity she had and pointing to his imminent death:
> Leave her alone. She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. She did it to prepare me for burial."
The anointing of Jesus is linked to his identity as the Messiah-King and his humble position as the Servant-King. Mary's act of anointing Jesus' feet and wiping them with her hair foreshadows Jesus' actions at the Last Supper, where he washes the disciples' feet, teaching them about sacrificial and humble service.
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Jesus' defence of the woman
The anointing of Jesus by a woman is mentioned in all four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), though there are differences in the details of the accounts.
The Gospel of Matthew
In the Gospel of Matthew, the woman is unnamed, and she pours the perfume on Jesus' head. The disciples react with anger, calling the act a wasteful extravagance. Jesus defends the woman, saying:
> "She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."
The Gospel of Mark
The Gospel of Mark tells a similar story to Matthew, with an anonymous woman anointing Jesus' head with expensive perfume. The critics describe her gift as excessive, saying it could have been sold for more than a year's wages. Jesus, however, accepts the gift as a selfless act of love and devotion.
The Gospel of Luke
Luke's account differs in that the woman anoints Jesus' feet and wipes them with her hair. She is unnamed and described as a sinner. Jesus uses the occasion to tell a parable about forgiveness. In this version, Simon, the host, complains about being touched by a sinner.
The Gospel of John
In the Gospel of John, the woman is identified as Mary of Bethany, sister of Martha and Lazarus. She anoints Jesus' feet with a jar of expensive perfume and wipes them with her hair. Jesus defends her against criticism from Judas, saying:
> "You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me."
Mary's act is interpreted as a recognition of Christ's identity as Messiah-King and a foreshadowing of his humble service to his disciples.
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Frequently asked questions
The perfume was worth a year's wages.
Mary of Bethany, the sister of Lazarus and Martha, poured the perfume on Jesus' feet.
Mary poured the perfume on Jesus to prepare him for burial.
The perfume was made of pure nard, an uncommon and expensive perfume extracted from grasses that grew in India.
Jesus defended Mary's actions, saying, "She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me."
