Matthew 26:7-9
a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The text highlights the "alabaster flask," not just as a container, but as a vessel specifically designed to preserve precious, expensive oils due to its sealed, narrow neck. This detail emphasizes the immense value of the ointment and suggests the woman likely broke the container itself to access its contents, underlining the extraordinary nature of her act.
Just days before Passover, as Jesus finishes speaking to his disciples about his impending betrayal and crucifixion, he is at a dinner in Bethany. A woman, later identified as Mary, enters and pours a very expensive perfume from an alabaster flask over Jesus' head, an act that stirs anger and confusion among his disciples. Jesus, however, understands her intention as a pre-burial anointing and declares it a beautiful act that will be remembered wherever the gospel is preached.
Why would someone break open a precious container just to pour out its contents?
The woman in this passage uses an alabaster flask, a vessel often sealed and designed to preserve expensive ointments for a long time. The fact that she breaks it (as noted in Mark's Gospel) signifies a complete and irreversible act of devotion. It wasn't just a little dab; it was the entire contents, poured out without reservation. This points to a love so profound that it doesn't hold back, using even the most treasured possessions as a means to express that love.
Was this act of kindness a mere gesture, or did it carry a deeper, prophetic meaning?
Jesus himself interprets this extravagant act not just as an expression of love, but as a pre-anointing for his burial. In a culture where precious oils were used in embalming, this woman's action, whether she fully understood its prophetic weight or not, symbolically prepared Jesus for his death. It was a recognition of his impending sacrifice and a tangible expression of faith in the One who would die and rise again. This event happens just before the Passover, the very feast that commemorates the sacrifice of a lamb, underscoring the profound theological significance of this anointing.
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When generosity meets misunderstanding, how does Jesus respond?
The disciples saw this act as 'wasteful,' a missed opportunity to help the poor. Their perspective was practical and economic. Jesus, however, defends the woman, reframing her action. He highlights that while the poor are always with us, his own time is limited. More importantly, he declares her deed a 'good action' that will be remembered wherever the gospel is preached. This shows Jesus valuing acts of love and devotion towards him, even when they seem extravagant or are misunderstood by others. He prioritizes spiritual significance and personal connection over mere utility.
Understand the original words
alabastron · Greek Noun
A container made of a translucent stone often used for costly perfumes or ointments; it symbolizes high value and honor in an act of devotion.
myron · Greek Noun
A substance used for medicinal, aromatic, or ritual purposes (like anointing for burial); in Scripture, it often symbolizes an act of extravagant worship or preparation for death.
mathētēs · Greek Noun
A formal designation for those who follow a teacher; in the New Testament, it refers to the personal followers of Jesus who were called to learn from Him and imitate His life.
aganakteō · Greek Verb
A feeling of deep resentment, displeasure, or anger at what is perceived to be an injustice or an inappropriate act.
apōleia · Greek Noun
An act of squandering or misusing resources; in a spiritual context, it refers to using something valuable in a way that others perceive as purposeless or lacking in utility.
ptōchos · Greek Adjective/Noun
Those lacking material resources; in Scripture, the poor are often the objects of God's special care, and believers are consistently called to support them.
This intimate act of devotion by Mary, occurring just days before Jesus' crucifixion, was deeply symbolic. While some saw waste, Jesus recognized it as a pre-anointing for his burial, highlighting the imminent reality of his sacrifice amidst the political and religious machinations against him.
c. AD 30— this verse
Supper at Simon the Leper's House
Jesus attends a meal in Bethany, likely at the home of Simon the Leper. Mary, the sister of Lazarus, anoints Jesus' head with expensive spikenard ointment, an act interpreted by Jesus as preparation for his burial.
c. AD 30
Council Convenes to Kill Jesus
The chief priests and religious leaders plot to arrest and kill Jesus, but decide against doing so during the Passover festival to avoid public unrest.
c. AD 30
Judas Iscariot's Betrayal Agreement
Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' disciples, agrees to betray Jesus to the authorities for thirty pieces of silver.
c. AD 30
The Passover Meal
Jesus shares his final Passover meal with his disciples in Jerusalem, instituting the Lord's Supper and predicting his impending betrayal and death.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Arrest and Trial
Jesus is arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane after being betrayed by Judas, and subsequently undergoes trials before the Jewish Sanhedrin and the Roman governor Pontius Pilate.
c. AD 30
Crucifixion and Burial
Jesus is crucified at Golgotha and buried in a tomb belonging to Joseph of Arimathea, fulfilling prophecies and the symbolic anointing he received.
This passage identifies the woman as Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha, and further specifies the precious nature and quantity of the ointment, adding detail to the event.
Mark 14:3Mark's account includes the detail that Mary 'broke the flask,' emphasizing the finality and extravagance of her act, and also names the ointment as 'spikenard,' highlighting its rarity and value.
Luke 7:37-38While debated, some see a connection to a 'sinful woman' anointing Jesus' feet with tears and oil, suggesting a theme of extravagant love and devotion, though Matthew presents this anointing as specifically for Jesus' burial.
Matthew 26:12Jesus explains the woman's act as preparation for His burial, directly linking this extravagant act of worship to His impending death and resurrection, giving it prophetic significance.
Isaiah 53:10This prophecy speaks of the suffering servant's 'offering of his life as a guilt offering,' which resonates with the costly anointing that signifies Christ's voluntary sacrifice for humanity's sins.
vincentMatthew 26:7: "There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat."
An alabaster box (ἀλάβαστρον)Rev., cruse; flask in margin. Lit., an alabaster, just as we call a drinking-vessel made of glass a glass. Luther renders glass. It was a kind of cruet, having a cylindrical form at the top. Pliny compares these vessels to a closed rosebud, and says that ointments are best preserved in them.
calvinMatthew 26:1-13: "And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples,"
- And it happened when Jesus had finished all these discourses, he said to his disciples, 2. You know that after two days is the passover; and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified. 3. Then were assembled the chief priests, and scribes, and elders of the people, in the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, 4. And entered into consultation how they would take Jesus b…
The text highlights the "alabaster flask," not just as a container, but as a vessel specifically designed to preserve precious, expensive oils due to its sealed, narrow neck. This detail emphasizes the immense value of the ointment and suggests the woman likely broke the container itself to access its contents, underlining the extraordinary nature of her act.
Just days before Passover, as Jesus finishes speaking to his disciples about his impending betrayal and crucifixion, he is at a dinner in Bethany. A woman, later identified as Mary, enters and pours a very expensive perfume from an alabaster flask over Jesus' head, an act that stirs anger and confusion among his disciples. Jesus, however, understands her intention as a pre-burial anointing and declares it a beautiful act that will be remembered wherever the gospel is preached.
Just days before Passover, as Jesus finishes speaking to his disciples about his impending betrayal and crucifixion, he is at a dinner in Bethany. A woman, later identified as Mary, enters and pours a very expensive perfume from an alabaster flask over Jesus' head, an act that stirs anger and confusion among his disciples. Jesus, however, understands her intention as a pre-burial anointing and declares it a beautiful act that will be remembered wherever the gospel is preached.
"a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? For this could have been sold fo…" — The text highlights the "alabaster flask," not just as a container, but as a vessel specifically designed to preserve precious, expensive oils due to its sealed, narrow neck. This detail emphasizes t…
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