Scripture tells us that Mary anointed Jesus with holy oil in preparation for His burial. This alabaster jar scripture is a beautiful story of one woman’s devotion to Jesus before his death on the cross. But there are a lot of questions related to these Bible stories. This post will answer those Christian questions and share exactly what we do and don’t know about who anointed Jesus feet with oil perfume.
Artwork Credit: JESUS MAFA. Jesus speaks about forgiveness, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=48384 [retrieved March 28, 2022]. Original source: http://www.librairie-emmanuel.fr (contact page: https://www.librairie-emmanuel.fr/contact).
FAQ on the Anointing of Jesus
This episode in the Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ is well known, but leaves some questions for Christians.
There is some debate over who the woman was who anointed Jesus with oil, but most believe it was Mary of Bethany. She was a close friend of Jesus, and her brother Lazarus had recently been raised from the dead by Jesus. Some Bible scholars believe that she may have also been the woman who poured perfume on Jesus’s feet at the feast in Simon’s house. There are three women named Mary in the Bible. The woman who anointed Jesus with oil was most likely Mary of Bethany, the sister of Lazarus and Martha. John 12:3 says that “Then Mary took about a pint of expensive perfume, made of pure nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair.” Nard was a very fragrant oil used for perfuming the body.
The alabaster jar poured onto Jesus was an act of worship and reverence. This woman had been deeply moved by Jesus’ words and deeds, and she wanted to express her love and gratitude for Him in the best way she knew how. This act of pouring out the perfume is also a symbol of giving your all to God. When we offer up everything we have to Him, it shows that we believe He is worthy of our total trust and devotion. In addition, it signifies our willingness to let go of our old lives in order to follow Him fully. May we all be so willing to give everything we have to our Lord! There are a few interpretations of this event. Some say that the alabaster jar symbolized the offering of expensive perfume, and that when it was poured over Jesus’ head, it showed how greatly she loved him. Others interpret it as a symbol of the Holy Spirit, who is often depicted in Scripture as being poured out like perfume. Still others say that it could represent both love and the Holy Spirit.
It is generally accepted that the woman who anointed Jesus in John’s Gospel was a different woman than the one who anointed Jesus in Luke. There are several reasons for this belief. First, there are differences between the accounts of each incident. Second, there is a difference in the detail provided about each woman. Third, the time frame between when each event is said to have occurred differs; the event in John’s Gospel is said to have happened much earlier than the event in Luke’s Gospel. Finally, there are geographical differences between where each event took place. Most biblical scholars believe that these discrepancies suggest that two different women were involved in these incidents–one woman who was known to John’s audience and another woman who was familiar to Luke’s readers. There is no way to know for sure which story is true. However, if they are two separate events, it’s possible that the woman in Luke was from Bethany, while the woman in John was from Galilee.
This is a wonderful Bible story to teach teenagers because it connects with their own passion and devotion to Jesus Christ. We recommend this free youth Bible lesson on Jesus being anointed by Mary.
An Alabaster jar is a style of vase that was popular in ancient Egypt. These jars were made out of a soft stone called alabaster, which was carved into beautiful shapes and then decorated with intricate patterns. The alabaster jar was one of the most popular containers for storing perfumes and oil in the ancient world, and they were often used as gifts or burial objects. Today, these jars are prized by collectors for their unique beauty and history.
Alabaster Box Scriptures: Mark 14:1–9; Luke 7:36–50; John 12:1–8; Matthew 26:6-13
The Alabaster Box is a container mentioned in the New Testament that was used to hold perfume or ointment. It was typically made of alabaster, a type of soft stone that could be easily carved. The most famous instance of an Alabaster Box is the one used by Mary of Bethany to anoint Jesus’ feet shortly before his crucifixion.
While we don’t know exactly what the Alabaster Boxes mentioned in Scripture were used for, it’s clear that they were considered valuable. In the story of Judas betraying Jesus, for instance, Judas was outraged when he saw that Mary had used an expensive perfume to anoint Jesus instead of selling it and giving the money.
An alabaster box is a perfume container that was used in Bible times to hold aromatic ointments and perfumes.
Mark 14:3–9 BSB Jesus Anointed at Bethany: Which Mary anointed Jesus at Bethany?
Mark 14:3-9 BSB While Jesus was in Bethany reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke open the jar and poured it on Jesus’ head. (4) Some of those present, however, expressed their indignation to one another: “Why this waste of perfume? (5) It could have been sold for over three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her. (6) But Jesus said, “Leave her alone; why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful deed to Me. (7) The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them whenever you want. But you will not always have Me. (8) She has done what she could to anoint My body in advance of My burial. (9) And truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached in all the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”
Luke 7:36–50 A Sinful Woman Forgiven: Who was the woman with the alabaster box of ointment?
Luke 7:36-50 BSB Then one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to eat with him, and He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. (37) When a sinful woman from that town learned that Jesus was dining there, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume. (38) As she stood behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears and wipe them with her hair. Then she kissed His feet and anointed them with the perfume. (39) When the Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, He would know who this is and what kind of woman is touching Him—for she is a sinner!” (40) But Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, Teacher,” he said. (41) “Two men were debtors to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. (42) When they were unable to repay him, he forgave both of them. Which one, then, will love him more?” (43) “I suppose the one who was forgiven more,” Simon replied. “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said. (44) And turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give Me water for My feet, but she wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. (45) You did not greet Me with a kiss, but she has not stopped kissing My feet since I arrived. (46) You did not anoint My head with oil, but she has anointed My feet with perfume. (47) Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven, for she has loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.” (48) Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” (49) But those at the table began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” (50) And Jesus told the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
John 12:1–8 BSB Jesus Anointed by Mary at Bethany: Was this the same woman as in Luke’s account?
John 12:1-8 BSB Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, the hometown of Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. (2) So they hosted a supper for Jesus there. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with Him. (3) Then Mary took about a pint of expensive perfume, made of pure nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. (4) But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was going to betray Him, asked, (5) “Why wasn’t this perfume sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” (6) Judas did not say this because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief. As keeper of the money bag, he used to take from what was put into it. (7) “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “She has kept this perfume in preparation for the day of My burial. (8) The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have Me.”
Matthew 26:6-13 Jesus Anointed at Bethany: Which woman brought the alabaster box?
Matthew 26:6-13 BSB While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, (7) a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He reclined at the table. (8) When the disciples saw this, they were indignant and asked, “Why this waste? (9) This perfume could have been sold at a high price, and the money given to the poor.” (10) Aware of this, Jesus asked, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful deed to Me. (11) The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have Me. (12) By pouring this perfume on Me, she has prepared My body for burial. (13) Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached in all the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”