Seamus Hammond
The anointing of Jesus with expensive perfume is mentioned in all four Gospels, with accounts in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. In the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John, Jesus is anointed by a woman named Mary, who is identified as Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus is anointed by an unnamed sinful woman. The perfume used by Mary is described as being very expensive, with a value of 300 denarii, or about 91 pieces of silver if we use 365 days' wages. This expensive perfume was likely obtained by Mary as part of a dowry for her bridal bed, as it was a gift of perfume that was often used to anoint the bridal bed prior to consummation in Jewish tradition.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Bethany, a village in Judaea |
| Date | Six days before Passover |
| Participants | Jesus, Mary of Bethany, Martha, Lazarus, Judas Iscariot, Simon the Leper |
| Object | Alabaster jar of expensive perfume made of pure nard |
| Action | Mary anoints Jesus' feet with the perfume and wipes them with her hair |
| Cost | 300 denarii, equivalent to a year's wages or 30 pieces of silver |
| Significance | Preparation for Jesus' burial |
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What You'll Learn
The woman who anointed Jesus with expensive perfume
In the Gospel of John, the woman who anoints Jesus with expensive perfume is identified as Mary of Bethany, sister of Martha and Lazarus. The anointing takes place in the town of Bethany, at the home of Simon the Leper, two days before Passover. Mary takes a jar of expensive perfume, made of pure nard, and anoints Jesus' feet, wiping them with her hair. This act is seen as an extravagant expression of love and devotion, with Mary recognising Christ's value as Messiah-King.
The Gospel of Luke describes a similar but distinct event, where Jesus is anointed by an unnamed sinful woman in the home of Simon the Pharisee. This anointing is believed to have taken place about a year before Jesus' death. While the value of the perfume in this account is not mentioned, it is still considered a significant act of worship and gratitude.
The Gospel of Matthew and Mark relate the same event as John but do not name the woman. They describe her as coming to Jesus with an alabaster jar of expensive ointment and pouring it on his head. The disciples criticise this act as wasteful, but Jesus defends it as a preparation for his burial.
The anointing of Jesus by Mary with expensive perfume is a significant event in the Gospels, symbolizing her recognition of Christ's Messiah-ship and foreshadowing his imminent death and burial. The perfume is described as costly, made of pure nard, and worth a year's wages or approximately 300 denarii.
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The identity of the woman
The woman who anointed Jesus with expensive perfume has been the subject of much discussion and interpretation. While the Gospel of John identifies her as Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, the Gospels of Matthew and Mark refer to "a woman" without giving her a name. Luke's account mentions a different sinful woman, also anonymous, on an earlier occasion.
In John's Gospel, Mary of Bethany is identified as the woman who anoints Jesus' feet with costly perfume at a dinner in Bethany. This event takes place six days before Passover, and the perfume is said to be worth a year's wages or approximately 300 denarii. This is in contrast to the thirty pieces of silver that Judas Iscariot later receives for betraying Jesus, which is only about a third of the value of the perfume.
Mary's act of anointing Jesus' feet with expensive perfume is seen as an extravagant expression of love and devotion. It also points to Christ's identity as both Messiah-King and Servant-King. By anointing Jesus' feet and wiping them with her hair, Mary foreshadows Jesus' own act of humble service at the Last Supper when he washes the disciples' feet.
Some interpretations suggest that Mary's possession of the expensive perfume could be linked to Jewish wedding traditions, where a gift of perfume is used to anoint the bridal bed. This act of anointing by Mary could symbolize Jesus' marriage to his Bride, the Church.
While the woman in Luke's account is not named, she is described as a "sinner" or possibly a prostitute. This anointing takes place in the northern region, as Jesus was ministering in Nain and Capernaum. In this version, the woman uses both her tears and perfume to anoint Jesus' feet, and Jesus uses the occasion to tell a parable about forgiveness.
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The location of the anointing
Matthew and Mark's accounts place the anointing in the house of Simon the Leper in Bethany, a village in Judea on the southeastern slope of the Mount of Olives. This event occurs two days before Passover, after the Triumphal Entry, and just before Jesus' crucifixion.
John's Gospel also identifies the location as Bethany, specifically in the house of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. This account takes place six days before Passover, and the woman who anoints Jesus' feet is named as Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus.
Luke's account differs in location, taking place in the northern regions of Nain and Capernaum, where Jesus was ministering. The woman in this narrative is described as a "sinful woman," possibly a prostitute, and remains unnamed.
While the specific locations vary, all four Gospels describe a similar setting: a house where a meal is taking place, with a woman anointing Jesus with expensive perfume.
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The timing of the anointing
In the Gospel of John, the anointing takes place six days before Passover in the village of Bethany, located in Judaea on the southeastern slope of the Mount of Olives. This timing is consistent with the accounts in Matthew and Mark, which place the event two days before Passover in the same village. Bethany was also the home of Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, who is identified as the woman who performed the anointing in John's Gospel.
The anointing in Luke's Gospel occurs earlier in Jesus' ministry and takes place in the northern regions of Nain and Capernaum. It is a separate incident from the one described in the other three Gospels, as it involves a different woman, referred to as a "sinner" or possibly a prostitute, and Jesus uses the occasion to tell a parable about forgiveness.
The anointing of Jesus by Mary in Bethany is a powerful moment that not only showcases her devotion and gratitude but also serves as a prophetic act, anticipating Jesus' burial and death. By anointing Jesus with expensive perfume, Mary offers a costly sacrifice, recognizing Christ's unequalled value and expressing her love and worship.
Overall, the timing of the anointing plays a crucial role in understanding the significance of the event and how it fits into the broader narrative of Jesus' life and ministry, as recorded in the Gospels.
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The value of the perfume
In John's gospel, the woman who anoints Jesus is named as Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. Mary took a 12-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus' feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. Nard was a highly prized perfume in ancient times, and it is mentioned several times in the Bible as a valuable commodity.
The act of anointing with perfume is frequently mentioned in literature from the time, and it was a common way to honour someone. However, the use of long hair to dry Jesus' feet, as described in John and Luke, is considered an exceptional gesture.
The high price of the perfume and the fact that it could have been sold to benefit the poor caused indignation among the disciples, including Judas Iscariot, who would later betray Jesus. However, Jesus defended Mary's actions, saying that she had done a beautiful thing and that the anointing was a preparation for his burial.
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Frequently asked questions
Expensive perfumes were often obtained as gifts or bought with a year's wages. In the Bible, Mary of Bethany, sister of Martha and Lazarus, is described as using a 12-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, worth 300 denarii, to anoint Jesus' feet.
300 denarii was worth a year's wages. To put this into context, Judas was paid 30 pieces of silver for betraying Jesus, which was about a third of the value of the perfume.
Mary poured the perfume on Jesus' feet and wiped them with her hair. The smell of the perfume filled the house.
Mary's anointing of Jesus' feet points to his identity as Messiah-King and his position as Servant-King. It also foreshadows Jesus' actions at the Last Supper when he washes the disciples' feet, teaching them about humble service.
