Why did Jesus say, "She has prepared My body for burial" in Matthew 26:12? The Text Itself “By pouring this perfume on Me, she has prepared My body for burial.” (Matthew 26:12) Immediate Literary Context • Setting: “While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the leper” (26:6). • Act: A woman breaks an alabaster jar of very costly myron (pure nard, cf. Mark 14:3) and pours it on Jesus’ head. • Response: Some disciples deem it wasteful; Jesus calls it “a beautiful deed” (26:10). • Pronouncement: Verse 12 links the act to His imminent death; verse 13 guarantees perpetual remembrance. Identity of the Woman Matthew leaves her unnamed; John 12:3 identifies her as Mary of Bethany, sister of Martha and Lazarus. Multiple independent attestations—Matthew, Mark, John—satisfy the criterion of multiple witnesses in historiography, strengthening credibility (cf. early papyri 𝔓64/67 for Matthew, 𝔓45 for Mark, 𝔓66 for John). First-Century Jewish Burial Customs Bodies were washed, wrapped in linen, and packed with aromatic spices and perfumed oils to honor the dead and retard odor (cf. John 19:39–40). Because Jesus would die hours before Sabbath, an exhaustive anointing would be impossible (Luke 23:54–56). Mary’s lavish perfume in Bethany anticipates that shortfall; Jesus receives a full anointing while still alive. Prophetic and Typological Background • Isaiah 53:9: “He was assigned a grave with the wicked, but He was with a rich man in His death.” The costly perfume prefigures the luxury of Joseph of Arimathea’s tomb. • Psalm 16:10: “You will not abandon my soul to Sheol” anticipates resurrection; burial is a logical prerequisite. • Exodus 30:22–33: Sacred anointing oil consecrated priests and furnishings. Jesus, the ultimate High Priest, is here consecrated for His atoning sacrifice. Jesus’ Conscious Foreknowledge Matthew records at least three explicit passion predictions (16:21; 17:22–23; 20:18–19). The Bethany statement is not defeatism but sovereign awareness. He interprets Mary’s deed prophetically, turning an apparent social faux-pas into eschatological instruction. Theological Significance of Burial A. Historical Marker of Death: Burial certifies that Jesus truly died, countering later swoon theories. B. Fulfillment of “according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). The gospel hinges on death, burial, and resurrection; Mary’s act seals the middle component. C. Substitutionary Atonement: Perfume imagery recalls Leviticus offerings—“a pleasing aroma to Yahweh” (Leviticus 1:9). Christ’s sacrifice is the ultimate fragrant offering (Ephesians 5:2). Contrast With the Disciples’ Misunderstanding The disciples see monetary value; Mary perceives messianic destiny. Behavioral research underscores that costly, concrete acts often reveal deeper belief than verbal assent. Mary’s generosity, about 300 denarii (a year’s wages), manifests faith in Jesus’ redemptive mission before it unfolds. Evangelistic and Devotional Implications Jesus links the gospel’s advance to the story of Mary (26:13). The perfumed house (John 12:3) becomes a metaphor: the aroma of Christ spreads through the world (2 Corinthians 2:14–16). Believers are called to costly, perceptive worship that proclaims the Lord’s death “until He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26). Summary Answer Jesus spoke of burial because: 1. The perfume fulfilled Jewish burial practice He would soon be denied. 2. The act prophetically enacted Isaiah 53 and Psalm 16, validating His messianic mission. 3. It authenticated the historical reality of His forthcoming death, a pillar of the resurrection evidence. 4. It modeled wholehearted devotion, embedding the gospel in a tangible, unforgettable moment. |
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