Anisha Riggs
The alabaster jar of perfume is mentioned in three places in the Bible and is associated with devotion to Christ and important spiritual lessons. The jar is mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, with similar but not identical accounts. The woman who anoints Jesus' head with the perfume is unnamed in two of the accounts, but in the Gospel of John, she is identified as Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. The alabaster jar is made of stone, resembling white marble, and is used to carry perfumed oil. The woman's action of anointing Jesus with the expensive perfume is seen as a beautiful act of reverence and repentance, symbolizing giving God our best and our all.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Material | Alabaster, a stone commonly found in Israel that resembles white marble |
| Contents | Very expensive perfume, pure nard, ointment |
| Owner | A sinful woman, possibly Mary, Martha's sister |
| Recipient | Jesus |
| Symbolism | Devotion to Christ, giving God our best, a sacrificial offering |
| Purpose | To anoint Jesus' head and feet |
| Location | The home of Simon the Leper or a Pharisee |
| Timing | Two or six days before Passover |
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What You'll Learn
The woman who anointed Jesus
The Anointing of Jesus in Matthew, Mark, and John
According to the Gospel of Matthew, an unnamed woman anointed Jesus' head with a costly jar of perfume two days before Passover in the town of Bethany at Simon the Leper's home. Mark's Gospel describes a similar event, with an anonymous woman with an alabaster box interrupting a meal in Simon the Leper's home to anoint Jesus' head with expensive perfume. In John's Gospel, the woman is identified as Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, and the anointing takes place six days before Passover. Mary anointed Jesus' feet with a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard and wiped his feet with her hair.
The Anointing of Jesus in Luke
Luke's Gospel describes a different event, which took place about a year before Jesus' death in the house of Simon the Pharisee. In this account, Jesus is anointed by a sinful woman, who is not named. The woman anointed Jesus' feet, wets them with her tears, wipes them with her hair, and kisses them. Jesus then forgives her sins.
The Significance of the Alabaster Jar
The alabaster jar, or box, mentioned in the Gospels is significant. Alabaster was a stone commonly found in Israel, resembling white marble. It was used to make vessels for ointment, oils, and perfumes to keep them pure and unspoiled. The woman who anointed Jesus with the costly perfume from an alabaster jar is seen as an act of devotion and self-denial, giving her very best to honour Jesus.
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The spiritual significance of the act
The alabaster jar of perfume carries a deep spiritual significance in the Bible, particularly in the Gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, and John. This significance is intricately tied to the anointing of Jesus at Bethany, just days before His crucifixion. The act of anointing with perfume from an alabaster jar holds symbolic and prophetic meanings that echo throughout the Christian faith.
Firstly, the costliness of the perfume itself is noteworthy. Alabaster jars were often used to contain expensive, precious oils and perfumes. In the Gospel accounts, the perfume is described as "very costly," with a value that could have been equivalent to a year's wages for a common labourer. This signifies the extravagance and sacrificial nature of the act. The woman who anointed Jesus broke the jar and poured out the entire contents, symbolizing a complete and unrestrained offering to Jesus. This act reflects a heart that is willing to give everything, holding nothing back, in devotion to Christ.
Secondly, the breaking of the alabaster jar represents the breaking and pouring out of one's self before God. The woman's action was an act of humble surrender, a recognition that all she had was to be given to Jesus. The breaking of the jar also signifies the fragility and vulnerability that come with surrendering one's life to God. It is a recognition that true value and worth are found in devotion to Christ, even if it means 'breaking' one's own sense of self-preservation or worldly attachments.
Moreover, the anointing with perfume holds prophetic significance. In ancient times, anointing with oil or perfume was often associated with kings and prophets. The woman's act of anointing Jesus' head and feet with perfume symbolized her recognition of His messianic identity and her prophetic declaration of His kingship. This act foreshadowed Jesus' impending death and resurrection, as the perfume's fragrance filled the house, symbolizing the sweet aroma of Christ's sacrifice that would soon permeate the world.
The spiritual significance of this act also extends to the intimate and personal nature of anointing. The woman's act of anointing Jesus' feet and wiping them with her hair was an expression of deep love, gratitude, and adoration. It reflects a personal and intimate response to the love and grace of God. Through this act, she found an avenue to express her devotion and worship, transcending social norms and cultural expectations.
Lastly, the alabaster jar of perfume serves as a reminder of the beauty and power of sacrificial worship. The woman's act, though criticized by some, was honoured and exalted by Jesus Himself. Her willingness to offer her most precious possession as an act of worship teaches believers about the importance of giving our best to God and the value He places on a heart that worships Him in spirit and truth.
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The alabaster box/jar/flask
In the Bible, an unnamed woman, referred to as a "sinner," enters the home of Simon the Pharisee and anoints Jesus' feet with perfume from an alabaster jar. This act symbolises her reverence and repentance, as she humbles herself before Jesus, showing her love and adoration.
Another similar incident involves Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha, who anoints Jesus' feet in Bethany. Mary's alabaster jar contains expensive perfume, possibly worth a year's wages, and she breaks the jar to pour out its entire contents. This act symbolises giving God our best and all that we have, mirroring how Mary gave up everything at the feet of Jesus.
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The perfume's expense
The alabaster jar of perfume was an expensive item, with some sources stating it was worth a year's wages. In John 12:5, the Bible says that the perfume was worth an entire year's wages, which today would be the equivalent of a $25,000 bottle of perfume.
The woman who anointed Jesus with the perfume is often referred to as a "sinful woman", and her act of anointing Jesus' feet with the expensive perfume is seen as a beautiful act of reverence and repentance. In Luke 7:36-50, the woman is said to have wept at Jesus' feet and wiped them with her hair, an act of humble devotion.
The use of an alabaster jar to contain the perfume is significant as alabaster was a hard stone commonly found in Israel, resembling white marble. It was a strong and beautiful substance, perfect for containing oils or perfumes and keeping them pure and unspoiled.
The woman's act of breaking the jar and pouring out all of the expensive perfume can be seen as a symbolic gesture of giving her all to Jesus, a sacrificial offering. This is further emphasised by the fact that the perfume may have been her inheritance or her dowry, the most valuable thing she owned.
The expense of the perfume and the woman's willingness to give it all up for Jesus is a powerful symbol of devotion and faith. It is a reminder that we should give our whole hearts and lives to God, just as Mary gave her most valuable possession to Jesus.
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The breaking of the jar
The breaking of the alabaster jar of perfume is a significant act of worship and devotion mentioned in the Christian Bible. The story appears in three of the four canonical gospels—Matthew, Mark, and John—with slight variations in each account.
In the Gospel of Matthew, an unnamed woman enters the home of Simon the Leper in Bethany, carrying an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume. She breaks the jar and pours the perfume on Jesus' head as an act of anointing. This act symbolises the woman's devotion and sacrifice, as the perfume is likely her most valuable possession.
The Gospel of Mark recounts a similar event, where a woman breaks an alabaster jar of expensive perfume made of pure nard and pours it on Jesus' head. This act is often interpreted as a symbolic preparation of Jesus' body for burial, as mentioned in John 12:7, where Jesus defends the woman's action, saying, "She has done a beautiful thing to me... She did it to prepare me for my burial."
In the Gospel of John, Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha, anoints Jesus' feet with expensive perfume from her alabaster jar. This event takes place in Bethany, six days before Passover. The breaking of the jar signifies Mary's willingness to give up everything at Jesus' feet, an act of sacrificial worship and devotion.
The breaking of the alabaster jar represents a complete surrender and offering of one's most valuable possessions and selves to Jesus. It symbolises a heart willing to give everything, holding nothing back, and trusting in the promise of eternal life through Jesus. The act of breaking the jar also releases the fragrance of the perfume, representing the impact of our worship and devotion, which "always spills over onto others".
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Frequently asked questions
The alabaster jar of perfume is mentioned in the Bible in the New Testament. It is associated with a woman who anoints Jesus with perfume.
The alabaster jar of perfume is significant because it symbolises giving God our all. The woman who anoints Jesus does not hold back, she gives everything she has to show her devotion.
The woman is unnamed in the Bible but is referred to as a "sinner" and possibly a prostitute. She is also said to be Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha.
The alabaster jar of perfume appears in the Bible in Matthew 26:6–13, Mark 14:3–9, and Luke 7.
