Topical Bible: Jesus, the Christ: Anointed With Precious Ointment (In Bethany)

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The anointing of Jesus with precious ointment in Bethany is a significant event recorded in the Gospels, highlighting themes of devotion, sacrifice, and foreshadowing of Jesus' impending death. This event is chronicled in the Gospels of Matthew (26:6-13), Mark (14:3-9), and John (12:1-8), each providing unique details that enrich the narrative.

Context and Setting

The anointing took place in Bethany, a village near Jerusalem, at the home of Simon the leper. This event occurred shortly before the Passover, during the final week of Jesus' earthly ministry. Bethany was a place of refuge for Jesus, where He often stayed with His close friends, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.

The Anointing

In the Gospel of John, the woman who anoints Jesus is identified as Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. She anoints Jesus with "a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume" (John 12:3). The act of anointing Jesus' head and feet with this costly ointment and wiping His feet with her hair is a profound expression of love and reverence.

The Gospels of Matthew and Mark emphasize the anointing of Jesus' head, which carries royal and messianic connotations, while John's account highlights the anointing of His feet, symbolizing humility and service.

Reactions and Jesus' Response

The disciples, particularly Judas Iscariot, react with indignation, questioning the waste of such an expensive perfume, which could have been sold to aid the poor. Jesus, however, defends Mary's actions, saying, "Leave her alone. Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful deed to Me" (Mark 14:6). He further explains, "She has done what she could to anoint My body in advance of My burial" (Mark 14:8).

Jesus' response underscores the prophetic nature of the anointing, as it anticipates His death and burial. He acknowledges the perpetual presence of the poor but highlights the unique and fleeting opportunity to honor Him before His crucifixion.

Significance and Legacy

The anointing at Bethany is a testament to the depth of personal devotion and the recognition of Jesus' true identity and mission. Mary's act of worship is memorialized by Jesus, who declares, "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" (Matthew 26:13).

This event invites believers to reflect on the nature of sacrificial love and the call to honor Christ with their most precious offerings. It serves as a reminder of the impending sacrifice of Jesus, the Anointed One, who would soon lay down His life for the redemption of humanity.

Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 26:6-13
Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,
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Mark 14:3-9
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.
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John 12:1-8
Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
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Library

Civ. Jesus Arrives and is Feasted at Bethany.
... of the Jews, and caused them more earnestly to seek the death of Christ. ... It is not
unlikely that he was one whom Jesus had healed, and ... d and anointed the feet ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/civ jesus arrives and is.htm

Jesus' Feet Anointed in the House of a Pharisee.
... thou didst not anoint: but she hath anointed my feet ... Ignorance of Christ's person
and office caused them to ... [Jesus did not rebuke his questioners, because the ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xlvi jesus feet anointed in.htm

Jesus and the Bethany Sisters.
... Do we always give our best to Christ? ... The body of Jesus was broken that it might
become bread of life for the world. ... "She hath anointed my body aforehand for ...
/.../miller/personal friendships of jesus/chapter x jesus and the.htm

In Jericho and at Bethany - Jericho - a Guest with Zacch??us - the ...
... Jesus may have told her, as He had told the ... warmth of the Church's constant service
to Christ in the ... We recall the ideal picture of Aaron when anointed to the ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxiv in jericho and.htm

The Anointing of Jesus.
... of ointment of spikenard, very precious, and anointed the feet ... reveals the permanent
place which Jesus has won ... come suddenly into the presence of Christ's death ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/i the anointing of jesus.htm

John Chapter xi. 55-57; xii
... thou with the heart; for the absent Christ is also ... Lazarus was who had been dead,
whom Jesus raised from the ... of pure nard, very precious, and anointed the feet ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate l john chapter xi.htm

Jesus' Last Journey to Jerusalem.
... out the ointment upon me, she has anointed me for ... Lazarus and the women looking back
after Christ as he ... of disaster which he had heard from the lips of Jesus. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/stead/king of the jews/chapter ii jesus last journey.htm

"She Hath done what She Could. "
... of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet ... She took this box of
precious ointment and broke it ... and lead that one to Jesus Christ, every angel ...
/.../moody/to the work to the work/chapter vii she hath done.htm

Matt. xxvi. 6, 7
... an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured ... the sacrifices, and the priests
were anointed with ointment ... towards man of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxx matt xxvi 6.htm

John xi. 49, 50
... houses, that we may rest in Christ Jesus our Lord ... 1, 2. "Then Jesus, six days before
the Passover ... of ointment of spikenard, very precious, and anointed the feet ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lxv john xi 49.htm