Precious Ointment
Introduction: There are passages in three of the four gospels of the New Testament that tell of a woman anointing Jesus with precious ointment just a few days before he went to his final Passover. After that, he was betrayed, mocked, and crucified. This study will review some of the similar, and some of the distinct, aspects within these accounts about the beautiful act this woman performed. Additional passages will be used for perspective on how little the disciples understood what Jesus had told them in advance about his upcoming death and resurrection.
NOTE: All Bible passages are taken from the American King James Bible.
A — The Account in Matthew
Matthew 26 “2 You know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified. 6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, 7 There came to him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. 8 But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? 12 For in that she has poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. 13 Truly I say to you, Wherever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman has done, be told for a memorial of her.”
Comments: Two days before the Passover feast Jesus told his disciples that he would be betrayed to be crucified. When Jesus was in Bethany, an unnamed woman brought a box of very precious ointment and poured it on his head as he was seated to eat a meal. The disciples were offended, saying it was a waste because the ointment could have been sold for much money to give to the poor. When Jesus observed their reaction he told them not to bother the woman for she had done a beautiful thing for him. He said she had poured the ointment on him in preparation for his burial, and this would be told as a memorial to her wherever the gospel was preached. Then Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests and agreed to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.
B — The Account in Mark
Mark 14 “3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she broke the box, and poured it on his head. 6 And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble you her? she has worked a good work on me. 8 She has done what she could: she is come beforehand to anoint my body to the burying.”
Comments: The beginning of this account is very much like that of Matthew, as it mentions two days before the feast, the plotting against Jesus, and a meal at Simon's house in Bethany. There is a slight difference that “some” who were at the meal “murmured” indignantly when the woman poured the very expensive ointment onto the head of Jesus. The response by Jesus has just the slight addition that they could help the poor anytime they wanted, and that the woman had come beforehand to do what she could to anoint his body for burial. What a special act this unnamed woman was able to perform.
C — Mary and the Precious Ointment
John 12 “1 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. 3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment. 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bore what was put therein.”
Comments: The account in John begins six days before the Passover as Jesus came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom he had earlier raised from the dead. Mary took a pound of very costly ointment and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment. In John's account, it is stated that Judas Iscariot made the remark about the waste of the ointment, and John makes it clear that Judas had no concern for the poor but was actually a thief who carried the money bag. What a beautiful thought to hold, that the sweet aroma of Mary's gift of love filled the room.
D — Precious Ointment for Burial and Prayers Stored Up as Fragrant Perfume
Revelation 5 “8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints. 9 And they sung a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the book… for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.”
Comments: Joseph and Nicodemus used about 100 times more precious ointment than the woman had used in her symbolic gesture of love. They carefully wrapped the Lord's body with linen using the ointment in the customary manner of a respectful Jewish burial. As with the woman who had anointed him at the supper, they did what they could as this opportunity came before them. It is a beautiful thought to realize that in Revelation we learn that our prayers can be among the prayers of the saints stored up as in golden vials full of odors to be presented at the appointed time.
E — The Disciples Did Not Understand When Jesus Said He Must Be Crucified
Mark 9 “31 For he taught his disciples, and said to them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day. 32 But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.”
John 20 “8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulcher, and he saw, and believed. 9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.”
Comments: The three passages from Mark make it clear that the apostles did not understand what the Lord had told them more than once about his upcoming death and resurrection. They had the special privilege of traveling with Jesus for three years as he worked miracles, taught in public, and sometimes gave explanation to them in private. But even the chief priests and the scribes did not recognize and accept that Jesus was the promised Messiah with their extensive knowledge of scripture. The brief passage from John chapter 20 states that the two disciples who saw the empty tomb after Christ had risen, still did not yet understand from the scripture the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
Reflections in Prayer
Lord Jesus, you specifically said the loving act by this woman to use precious ointment in preparation for your upcoming burial would be included everywhere in the world that the gospel is preached. This has helped me to consider the way you are praised by humble acts of love that may not be appreciated by all who observe them because of various prejudices. Help me Lord, to resist any hesitation I may have to freely offer common hospitality, or to meet a need where I may assist. Lord, I want to have the quality this woman displayed when she was so willing to use something for you that was of high value that she could have kept for herself. May my prayers more consistently truly have the essence of a sweet fragrance appropriate to being stored up in the golden vials of heaven. Amen.
Published 8 August 2015