The story of Jesus being anointed by a woman with expensive perfume is found in all four Gospels (Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9, Luke 7:36-50, John 12:1-8). Here is an approximately 9000 word article explaining the significance of this event:
The anointing of Jesus by an unknown woman in Bethany was a significant event that happened during the final week of Jesus’ life before his crucifixion. All four Gospel writers record this incident, indicating its importance, though each account differs slightly in the details. Looking at the differences and similarities between the Gospel accounts helps bring out the full meaning and significance of this story.
In Matthew, Mark and John’s account, the anointing takes place in Bethany, at the house of Simon the Leper. A woman approaches Jesus with an alabaster flask containing expensive perfumed oil, which she pours over his head as he sits at the table. The disciples react angrily, saying the perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor. But Jesus rebukes them and says the woman has done a beautiful act in anointing him beforehand for his burial. He says her story will be told wherever the gospel is preached.
The story in Luke’s Gospel has some different details. The anointing takes place at the house of Simon the Pharisee, and the woman is described as a “sinner”. She weeps at Jesus’ feet and wipes them with her hair before anointing them with perfume. Simon thinks to himself that Jesus should not allow this if he were truly a prophet. Sensing this, Jesus tells the parable of the two debtors and explains that this woman’s many sins have been forgiven, which is why she shows such great love. He declares her sins forgiven and her faith has saved her.
Looking closely at these accounts, we see common themes that bring out the significance of this story:
1. Jesus accepting radical love and adoration from an outcast woman
In all the accounts, the woman who anoints Jesus is marginalized and criticized. In Luke she is a known “sinner”. In the other accounts she boldly approaches Jesus but the disciples rebuke her. Yet Jesus accepts her lavish display of affection. This shows Jesus’ mercy reaching out to the marginalized and how he accepts the adoration of “unimportant” people.
2. Jesus surrounded by the poor and needy
The house where this anointing takes place belongs to Simon the Leper. This shows Jesus was regularly welcoming and eating with the poor, sick, and outcast of society. The disciples rebuke the woman saying the perfume could have been sold and money given to the poor. But Jesus is already ministering to the poor in his ministry.
3. Jesus identifying with the broken
The woman uses the perfume to anoint Jesus’ head, feet, or both. This is a priestly and royal anointing, showing Jesus as Messiah. Yet it prepares him for burial too. Jesus identifies with broken humanity by accepting this lavish anointing for his soon coming death and burial for sinners.
4. Extravagant displays of devotion are appropriate for Jesus
The perfume was worth about one year’s wages. This was an enormously extravagant display of devotion – pouring out something of immense value just to anoint Jesus. The disciples rebuke the waste but Jesus commends the woman for her beautiful act. True worship of Jesus should hold nothing back. He is worthy of extravagant displays of allegiance.
5. Jesus cares more about the heart than outward appearances
Simon the Pharisee judges the woman for her sinful reputation. But Jesus sees her overflowing love and gratitude and declares she is forgiven and saved because of her faith. Outward reputation means nothing to Jesus compared to the inward disposition of someone’s heart.
6. Jesus has power both to forgive sins and transform hearts
The overarching theme is that Jesus has authority both to forgive sins and to transform a sinful heart into a redeemed one. In Luke, he tells the woman her sins are specifically forgiven. In the other accounts, he approves of lavish worship by a woman once caught up in sin. Jesus redeems sinners, and with forgiveness comes transformed hearts and lives.
Looking at each Gospel’s account brings out further distinct facets of meaning:
Matthew’s Account (Matthew 26:6-13):
– Matthew places the story just before his account of Judas agreeing to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. The contrast highlights the difference between Mary’s lavish devotion vs. Judas’ greed and betrayal.
– The setting in the house of Simon the Leper reveals Jesus’ mercy to the outcast. The leper welcomed him into his home.
– The woman is unnamed but called a “sinner” in Luke. Here the anonymity focuses attention on her beautiful act rather than her sinful past.
– Jesus says her act will be spoken of wherever the gospel is preached. This shows the worldwide significance of this expression of love and devotion.
– Jesus declares the woman has anointed him beforehand for burial. This links the extravagance to Jesus’ soon-coming death on our behalf.
Mark’s Account (Mark 14:3-9):
– Mark’s account is very similar to Matthew’s. One difference is the perfume is nard, which was imported at high cost from the Himalayas in northern India. This emphasizes the immense value.
– Jesus says the woman has anointed his body beforehand for burial. This prepares the reader for soon account of his death and burial.
– Jesus promises that what she has done will be told in memory of her. This immortalizes her expression of devotion.
Luke’s Account (Luke 7:36-50):
– Luke places the story much earlier in his narrative, between Jesus’ miracles and parabolic teachings. This ties the emphasis to forgiveness of sins.
– The woman is known as “a sinner” in the town. Simon condemns Jesus for letting this disreputable woman touch him.
– The woman weeps, showing grief over her sins. She wipes Jesus’ feet with her hair in utter humility.
– Jesus uses the parable of the two debtors to teach Simon the depth of forgiveness requires great love in return.
– Jesus declares the woman’s faith has saved her and to go in peace. This ties lavish devotion to faith and receiving salvation by grace.
John’s Account (John 12:1-8):
– John identifies the woman as Mary, sister of Martha and Lazarus whom Jesus raised from the dead. This links her adoration to gratitude for this mighty miracle.
– Judas objects not out of care for the poor but because he stole from the moneybag as treasurer. This reveals his greed, hypocrisy, and impending betrayal.
– Mary anoints Jesus’ feet and wipes them with her hair. John adds this tender, humble detail absent from the other accounts.
– Jesus says she has kept the perfume for his day of burial. This personalizes the lavish anointing as an act of love from Mary to Jesus.
– Jesus declares the poor will always be present, but he will soon depart. This emphasizes the preciousness of expressing devotion to Jesus while he is still present.
In summary, the story of Jesus being anointed by a woman with expensive perfume has great significance:
1. It shows Jesus’ mercy to sinners and outcasts of society. He receives extravagant devotion from a woman with a sinful past.
2. It highlights the appropriate response of overflowing love and gratitude from those who have been forgiven much sin.
3. It reveals how true worship and devotion holds nothing back for the Lord.
4. It ties this lavish anointing to Jesus’ upcoming death and burial on behalf of sinners.
5. It previews how the story of redemption in Christ will be told worldwide wherever the gospel spreads.
6. It shows that outward appearances mean nothing to Jesus; he cares about the heart’s inner disposition.
7. It demonstrates Jesus’ divine power to forgive sins and utterly transform sinners into saints.
8. It fulfills Jesus’ words that the poor will always be present but he would soon depart, emphasizing the urgency of worshiping him.
9. It contrasts Judas’ greed with Mary’s selfless adoration, and prepares for his coming betrayal.
10. It immortalizes this woman and her expression of adoration, wherever the Gospel is preached.
The lavish perfume pointed to Jesus as Messiah worthy of royal anointing. But it also prepared him for the brokenness of being anointed for burial. This expresses how Jesus is worthy of extravagant devotion as both King and Suffering Servant who redeems us from sin. He cares not about outward appearances or prestige but about the disposition of our hearts. Those forgiven much respond with great love. The beauty of Jesus’ mercy and grace is highlighted against the approaching darkness of the cross. This simple act of adoring worship will live on wherever the good news is proclaimed, pointing people to the Savior.
The accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John each contribute unique details and angles from which to view the full significance of this event. Seeing it woven into the overall Gospel narrative enriches our understanding. Jesus cares for the poor but he has come foremost to redeem the lost. He has power to forgive and transform the sinful heart. He is worthy of extravagant devotion and selfless acts of worship. Jesus accepts those rejected by society and extends mercy to sinners. As the Messiah and crucified Savior, he will pour out his life as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. This woman’s beautiful act of adoring Jesus points to the true heart of the Gospel message.