How does John 12:7 connect to Old Testament burial customs? Starting with Jesus’ Words “Jesus replied, ‘Leave her alone; she has kept this perfume in preparation for the day of My burial.’” (John 12:7) Why Perfume Belongs at a Burial • In ancient Israel, death was honored by treating the body with spices, oils, and fragrant gums. • These costly aromas covered the scent of decay, but even more, they declared dignity, hope, and respect for the one entering the grave. Old Testament Snapshots • Genesis 50:2-3, 26 — Jacob and later Joseph are embalmed in Egypt; aromatic compounds are integral to the process. • 2 Chronicles 16:14 — King Asa “was laid on a bier covered with spices and various blended perfumes.” • Jeremiah 34:5 — A royal death promised “with the burning of spices for your fathers, the former kings.” • Song of Songs 1:12; 4:14 — Nard and myrrh signal love and devotion; the same scents resurface in burial rites. Mary’s Act Echoes Those Customs • She uses pure nard (John 12:3), a luxury perfume cataloged in Song of Songs and prized for funerals. • She pours it in advance, recognizing that Jesus’ death is imminent; the fragrance permeates the house, just as spices once filled royal tombs. • Her spontaneous offering mirrors the lavish volumes later brought by Nicodemus—“a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds” (John 19:39). Prophetic Layer • Isaiah 53:9 foretells Messiah’s grave “with a rich man.” Mary’s costly perfume matches that prophecy of honor. • Psalm 16:10 assures, “You will not abandon My soul to Sheol,” yet burial rituals still matter; they acknowledge death before vindicating resurrection. Why Jesus Commends Her • He affirms that Mary instinctively aligns with Scripture’s pattern: burial preparations precede divine deliverance. • By allowing the anointing, He signals His conscious submission to the Father’s plan, just as Old Testament saints prepared in faith for what lay beyond the grave. Takeaway Threads • Scripture’s unity: customs begun with patriarchs and kings culminate in Christ. • Costly devotion: Mary’s gift parallels Old Testament honor offerings, revealing the worthiness of Jesus above every king. • Foreshadowed victory: burial spices anticipate burial, yet also hint at the fragrant new life soon to rise from the tomb. |
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