Anisha Riggs
The anointing of Jesus is described in all four gospels, with some differences in the accounts. In the Gospel of John, the woman who anoints Jesus is identified as Mary of Bethany, sister of Martha and Lazarus. In the Gospel of Luke, the woman is unnamed and described as a sinful woman. In the Gospel of Matthew and Mark, the woman is simply referred to as a woman. The anointing is linked to Jesus' imminent death and burial, with Mary or the unnamed woman pouring expensive perfume on Jesus' head or feet, wiping them with her hair. This act of anointing is seen as a gesture of love, forgiveness, and preparation for burial.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Mary of Bethany, sister of Martha and Lazarus |
| Location | Bethany |
| Timing | Six days before Passover |
| Setting | Dinner in honour of Jesus |
| Object used | Alabaster jar of perfume |
| Cost of perfume | 300 denarii, more than a year's wages |
| Amount of perfume | 12 ounces, about a pint |
| Type of perfume | Pure nard |
| Action | Poured perfume on Jesus' feet, wiped them with her hair |
| Reason | Preparation for Jesus' burial |
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What You'll Learn
- Mary of Bethany, sister of Martha and Lazarus, is identified as the woman who anointed Jesus's feet with perfume
- The woman's actions are said to foreshadow Jesus's actions at the Last Supper, teaching his disciples about love and service
- The anointing of Jesus's feet is linked with his imminent death and burial
- The woman is described as a sinful woman who kisses and perfumes Jesus's feet
- The woman's act is seen as an exceptional gesture of love and appreciation for Christ
Mary of Bethany, sister of Martha and Lazarus, is identified as the woman who anointed Jesus's feet with perfume
Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, is identified as the woman who anointed Jesus's feet with perfume. This event is described in the Bible in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John. According to John 12:3, Mary took "a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard" and anointed Jesus's feet, wiping them with her hair.
In John's Gospel, Mary of Bethany is identified as the same woman who anoints Jesus's head in Matthew and Mark, but in John's account, she anoints Jesus's feet. This event takes place in the city of Bethany, six days before Passover. Jesus is attending a dinner in his honor, hosted by Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. Martha is serving, and Mary anoints Jesus's feet with expensive perfume and wipes them with her hair.
Judas Iscariot objects to this act, criticizing Mary for wasting expensive ointment that could have been sold and the proceeds given to the poor. Jesus rebukes Judas, defending Mary's actions and pointing to the significance of the anointing in preparation for his burial. He says, "It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me" (Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9, John 12:1-8).
Mary of Bethany is also mentioned in Luke's Gospel, where she is associated with the story of Mary and Martha. In John 11:1-44, Jesus raises her brother, Lazarus, from the dead. This event further highlights Mary's faith and her relationship with Jesus.
It is important to distinguish Mary of Bethany from Mary Magdalene, who is sometimes associated with the anointing of Jesus's feet in Luke's Gospel. However, biblical scholarship contests this association, emphasizing that Mary of Bethany and Mary Magdalene are separate individuals with distinct identities.
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The woman's actions are said to foreshadow Jesus's actions at the Last Supper, teaching his disciples about love and service
The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John tell the story of a woman who anoints Jesus' feet with a costly jar of perfume. In John's Gospel, this woman is identified as Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. Mary's act of anointing Jesus' feet is said to foreshadow Jesus' actions during the Last Supper.
During the Last Supper, Jesus washes the feet of his disciples, demonstrating the importance of humility and service. This act is a powerful symbol of Jesus' sacrificial love and serves as a reminder for Christians to live a life of service and love towards others. By taking on the role of a servant, Jesus teaches his disciples about the importance of humility and serving others.
In a similar way, Mary's anointing of Jesus' feet with expensive perfume demonstrates her deep appreciation for Christ. Although she may not fully comprehend the significance of her actions, Mary's anointing points to Christ's identity as both Messiah-King and Servant-King. By defending Mary's actions, Jesus emphasizes the unique opportunity she has to honor him.
The Last Supper is described in the New Testament as a Passover meal where Jesus symbolically offers himself as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity. During the meal, Jesus blesses and breaks bread, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." He then blesses a cup of wine and offers it to his disciples, stating, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you." These actions are understood as a prediction of Jesus' upcoming death and his sacrifice on the cross for the salvation of humanity.
Through the sacrament of Holy Communion, Christians are symbolically united with Christ and receive his grace and forgiveness. The Last Supper serves as a powerful reminder of Jesus' selfless love and inspires Christians to follow his example of serving others with humility and love.
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The anointing of Jesus's feet is linked with his imminent death and burial
The anointing of Jesus's feet is mentioned in the four gospels of the Bible, with some variations in the narrative. The gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John identify the woman as Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. Mary is described as a passionate and impulsive woman who expresses her deep gratitude and love for Jesus through the anointing. In John's gospel, Mary anoints Jesus's feet with a costly jar of perfume, specifically with about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume. This act of anointing is seen as a preparation for Jesus's imminent burial, as he would soon be crucified.
In contrast, the gospel of Luke features an unnamed sinful woman, possibly a prostitute or someone with a bad reputation. This woman anoints Jesus's feet with her tears and perfume. While the location in Luke's account is different, indicating a separate event, the central message across the gospels is similar. They all emphasize the unique opportunity that the woman had to honor Jesus before his death and burial.
The anointing also foreshadows Jesus's actions at the Last Supper, where he washes the disciples' feet, teaching them about sacrificial and humble service. Additionally, Jesus's defense of Mary against Judas's criticism highlights the importance of the anointing. Jesus recognizes that Mary is preparing him for his burial and that her act of love and devotion is more valuable than any monetary gain from selling the perfume.
Overall, the anointing of Jesus's feet by Mary or the unnamed sinful woman is a powerful moment that points to Christ's identity as both Messiah-King and Servant-King. It is a foretaste of God's imminent future, where God comes close to humanity, even risking death, to bring new life.
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The woman is described as a sinful woman who kisses and perfumes Jesus's feet
The anointing of Jesus's feet by a sinful woman is a story that appears in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The story goes that a sinful woman, often identified as Mary of Bethany, anointed Jesus's feet with a costly jar of perfume. In the Gospel of Luke, the woman is not named, and some scholars dispute whether Mary of Bethany is the same woman described in Luke's Gospel.
In the story, the woman pours a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume, made from essence of nard, on Jesus's feet and wipes them with her hair. This act of anointing is seen as a sign of love and worship, and it fills the house with a fragrant scent. The woman's actions are also interpreted as foreshadowing Jesus's upcoming burial.
The woman is described as a sinner or a sinful woman, and her actions of anointing Jesus's feet are contrasted with the Pharisee's lack of hospitality. The Pharisee, who had invited Jesus, speaks to himself, questioning why Jesus would allow an impure or sinful woman to touch him. Jesus responds by invoking a parable about the forgiveness of debts, explaining that the woman's sins have been forgiven due to her great faith and love for him.
The story emphasizes the woman's humility and devotion to Jesus, as she washes his feet with her tears and kisses them. Her actions are seen as a form of worship that interrupts the meal and surprises those present. The anointing of Jesus's feet by a sinful woman is a powerful scene that has inspired many works of art and continues to be a significant episode in Christian theology and art.
Overall, the story of the sinful woman anointing Jesus's feet serves as a testament to the transformative power of faith and Jesus's message of forgiveness and love. It also highlights the importance of humility and sacrificial service, as demonstrated by both Jesus and the woman.
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The woman's act is seen as an exceptional gesture of love and appreciation for Christ
The act of anointing Jesus' feet with perfume is seen as an exceptional gesture of love and appreciation for Christ. This gesture is recorded in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, with slight variations in the accounts.
In the Gospel of John, the woman is identified as Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. Mary took a jar of expensive perfume, valued at about 300 denarii, and poured it on Jesus' feet, wiping them with her hair. This act of anointing is seen as a preparation for Jesus' burial, as he himself states in John 12:7, "She did it to prepare me for burial."
In the other gospels, the woman is not named, referred to simply as "a woman." However, the gesture remains the same, with the woman pouring costly perfume on Jesus' feet and wiping them with her hair. This act is seen as a sign of love, appreciation, and humility before Christ.
The use of long hair to dry Jesus' feet, as recorded in John and Luke, is unique and should be regarded as an exceptional gesture. It symbolises humility, as the woman uses her hair to perform a servant's task of washing another's feet. This act also foreshadows Jesus' own act of washing his disciples' feet during the Last Supper, teaching them about sacrificial and humble service.
Through her actions, the woman, be it Mary or an unnamed follower, demonstrates her faith and love for Jesus. Her act of anointing is seen as an extravagant expression of devotion, one that Jesus himself defends and appreciates. This gesture becomes a memorable part of Jesus' ministry, foretelling his impending death and burial.
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Frequently asked questions
Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, is identified as the woman who anointed Jesus' feet with perfume in the Gospel of John. In Luke's account, the woman is unnamed and referred to as a "sinful woman".
Mary's act of anointing Jesus' feet was seen as a gesture of love and an act of preparation for his burial. Jesus accepted it as such and defended Mary's actions when Judas criticised the act as a waste.
The wiping of Jesus' feet with hair is seen as an exceptional gesture of humility and honour. It also foreshadows Jesus' actions at the Last Supper when he washes the disciples' feet, teaching them about sacrificial service.
