Mary of Bethany's Anointing of Jesus' Feet

The Mary who anointed Jesus' feet with costly ointment was Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus 😇 John 12:3ETI Mary.6.

This beautiful act of devotion, which has become a memorial recorded wherever the gospel is preached, occurred shortly before Christ's crucifixion Matthew 26:13KJV — Mark 14:9.

The Devotional Anointing

Mary performed this heartfelt service at a supper held in Bethany, specifically in the house of Simon the leper Matthew 26:6+1ETI Simon.6.

• The Gift: She took a pound of very precious spikenard ointment John 12:3+1HLv 372.3. The precious ointment, which was sometimes estimated to cost as much as would keep a laboring family for a year, was poured upon Jesus' head and feet Mark 14:5GBJ January 1897, page 22.15+2.

• The Act of Humility: In a profound expression of love and reverence, Mary anointed His feet and then wiped them with her long, flowing hair John 12:320MR 146.1+1. This act filled the entire house with the fragrance of the ointment, publishing her deed to all present John 12:3RH August 7, 1900, par. 3.

• The Motivation: Mary's heart was overflowing with pure, holy love for the Savior, especially following the recent miracle of her brother Lazarus' resurrection John 11:1+112LtMs, Ms 28, 1897, par. 25+1. She rejoiced at the thought that Jesus might soon be elevated to kingly authority, and she wished to be the first to honor Him2SP 375.1+1. Her offering was intended as a tribute of gratitude and love, a faint representation of Christ's boundless love Psalm 116:1212LtMs, Ms 28, 1897, par. 25.

Christ's Defense of Mary's Action

The disciples, particularly Judas Iscariot, reacted with indignation and questioned the expense, suggesting the ointment should have been sold for three hundred pence and given to the poor John 12:4-5+1RH August 7, 1900, par. 3+1.

Jesus swiftly came to Mary’s defense, recognizing and valuing her heartfelt courtesy and sacrifice Matthew 26:10DA 564.4+1. He declared that she had done a good work for Him, adding that the poor would always be with them, but He would not always be there Matthew 26:11+1GCDB March 2, 1899, par. 2. Most importantly, Christ revealed the prophetic nature of her deed, stating that she had anointed His body beforehand for the burial Matthew 26:12+1RH August 7, 1900, par. 5+1. He then ensured that her act of devotion would never be forgotten, saying, "Truly I say to you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her" Mark 14:9KJV — Mark 14:9+1.

Mary's Character: Choosing the Better Part

Mary of Bethany represents the consecrated spiritual life, often contrasted with her sister Martha, who was zealous in active service Luke 10:40ETI Mary.6+1. Mary is noted for choosing the "one thing needful"—sitting at Jesus’ feet to hear His word Luke 10:42GCB April 16, 1901, page 273.6+1. The zeal and energy of the "Marthas" should first be sanctified by the grace received by sitting with "Mary" at the feet of Jesus, learning meekness and lowliness of heart Matthew 11:29ChS 230.1+1.

Mark 14:3-9

3 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 brake the box, and poured it on his head.

4 And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?

5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.

6 And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.

7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.

8 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.

9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

Luke 7:37

37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,

That is a wonderful question that delves into a common point of confusion, as the Bible records two distinct anointing events involving different women and circumstances 🧐. I can certainly explain the details regarding Mark 14:3-9 and Luke 7:37 to clarify why Mary of Bethany is confirmed to be the woman who performed the act recorded at the end of Christ’s ministry20MR 146.1+1.

The belief that Mary Magdalene performed the act described in Mark 14 is a misconception; there is no evidence to connect her with either of the recorded anointings Mark 14:3SBD Mary Magdalene.2.

Two Distinct Anointing Events

It is essential to understand that the Gospels describe two separate occasions where Jesus was anointed, which helps distinguish the women involvedLTJMB3 324.1.

Event	Location	Host	Anointing Woman	Primary Accounts	Timing
Earlier Anointing	Galilee (unnamed city)	Simon the Pharisee	A local woman "who was a sinner"	Luke 7:36-50	Early in His ministry
Later Anointing	Bethany	Simon the Leper	Mary, sister of Lazarus	John 12:1-3+2	Six days before the Passover

1. The Later Anointing (Bethany)

The event described in ** Mark 14:3-9** (which is also paralleled in Matthew 26:6-13 and confirmed by John 12:1-3 took place in Bethany, at the house of Simon, whom Jesus had cured of leprosy Mark 14:3+1HLv 371.2+1.

• Identity of the Woman: Although Mark and Matthew refer generally to "a woman" Mark 14:3 John’s Gospel, which provides circumstantial details, explicitly identifies her as Mary, the sister of Lazarus John 12:1-320MR 146.1.

• The Act: This Mary came with an alabaster box of very precious spikenard ointment, which she poured on Jesus’ head and feet Mark 14:3+1. Her deep love stemmed from her faith in Him and immense gratitude for the crowning miracle of her brother Lazarus’ resurrection14LtMs, Lt 4, 1899, par. 33+1.

2. The Earlier Anointing Luke 7

The passage in ** Luke 7:37** describes an incident that happened much earlier in Christ’s ministry, likely in Galilee, not in Bethany Luke 7:36.

• The Sinner: This event features "a woman in the city, which was a sinner" Luke 7:37. This woman was a local person of ill repute, and she came weeping, bathing Jesus’ feet with her tears and wiping them with her hair, then anointing them with ointment Luke 7:37-38.

• Significance: Jesus used this act to teach Simon the Pharisee a lesson about love and forgiveness, confirming that the woman’s sins, which were many, were forgiven because she loved much Luke 7:47ST May 9, 1900, par. 14. This was the first of the two great anointing acts, performed by a recently forgiven sinnerLTJMB3 324.1.

The use of the phrase "a woman in the city" Luke 7:37 indicates she was locally known, but this event cannot be chronologically or geographically equated with the Bethany anointing Mark 14:3LTJMB3 324.1.

Why Mark's Account Confirms Mary of Bethany

Mark’s account of the anointing must be understood in the context of the location and timing, which align perfectly with John's more specific account Mark 14:3.

1. Location: Mark clearly places the event in Bethany Mark 14:3 which was the town of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus John 11:1.

2. Timing: Mark records this anointing just two days before the Passover Mark 14:1+1 confirming it as the final, significant act of devotion before Christ’s passion, consistent with John’s timeline John 12:1LTJMB4 314.2.

Mary of Bethany was celebrated by Jesus for her sincere devotion and spiritual focus, having chosen "that good part, which shall not be taken away from her" Luke 10:42SBD Mary sister of Lazarus.2. Her love was deep, and her faith in Christ was strongDA 524.1.

Clarifying the Mary Magdalene Misconception

Although Mary Magdalene was certainly a devoted follower of Christ and had been delivered from seven devils Luke 8:2 she is definitively not the same person as Mary of Bethany, nor is she the unnamed sinner in Luke 7+1. The sources explicitly caution against the historical error of identifying the "sinner" Luke 7 or Mary of Bethany John 12/ Mark 14 with Mary MagdaleneSBD Mary Magdalene.2+1. Mary Magdalene's notable acts of devotion are recorded at the crucifixion and the resurrection Mark 15:47+2SBD Mary Magdalene.2.

The alabaster box is profoundly significant because it embodies costly personal sacrifice, immediate prophetic foresight, and the enduring memorial of Christ's love and death 🌟.

The box itself and the subsequent actions surrounding it served several crucial purposes in the gospel narrative, distinguishing Mary's loving deed forever.

1. Representation of Costly Sacrifice and Devotion

The alabaster box and its contents highlight the immense value Mary placed on Jesus, demonstrating that genuine devotion involves sacrifice:

• Extraordinary Value: The vessel contained "ointment of spikenard, very costly" John 12:320MR 146.1+1. This precious ointment was typically housed in an alabaster flask, a name derived from the stone found in Egypt from which these vessels were often madeETI Alabaster.2.

• A Year's Wages: The disciples estimated the value of the ointment at more than three hundred pence (denarii) Mark 14:5KJV — Mark 14:3. This sum was substantial, approximating the total wages a laboring man’s family might earn in a year, showcasing the sincerity and depth of Mary's sacrificeLTJMB4 314.1+2.

• Love's Fulfillment: Mary had often heard Jesus speak of His approaching death, and in her deep love and gratitude, she yearned to show Him honorDG 60.3+2. She did not stop to calculate the value of the offering, regretting only that it was not richer1TT 563.1+1.

• The Broken Heart: The act of breaking the alabaster box, pouring out the precious contents, is an image of the "broken-hearted love" that flows forth from true Christian affectionARSH January 6, 1859, page 51.25.

2. Symbolism of Christ's Burial and Sacrifice

Jesus Himself revealed the deepest significance of the box's breaking, connecting the act directly to His impending passion:

• Preparation for Burial: Jesus defended Mary against critics, declaring plainly, "For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial" Matthew 26:1212LtMs, Ms 28, 1897, par. 22. This was Mary's preparation of faith and devotion for the death she believed was imminentLTJMB4 314.1+1.

• The Broken Body: Just as the alabaster box was broken and its perfume filled the house, Christ's body was to be broken in death, but He was to rise from the tombDA 560.5+1.

• Fragrance of Life: The ointment's powerful fragrance that filled the whole house symbolized that the "fragrance of His life" and sacrifice was to fill the earth Ephesians 5:2HLv 373.4+2. As the ointment gladdened His heart while He was conscious, it served as an "earnest of the love" that would be His from His redeemed ones foreverHLv 373.4.

3. Immortalizing Her Deed

The significance of the alabaster box is ultimately sealed by Christ's promise to Mary:

• An Enduring Memorial: Jesus declared that wherever the gospel would be preached throughout the whole world, "this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her" Mark 14:912LtMs, Ms 28, 1897, par. 22+1.

• Inspiring Service: The memory of that broken alabaster box has inspired countless individuals to loving service and sacrifice, repeating the story of abundant love to susceptible hearts for all time6T 310.2+1.

4. Exposure of Hypocrisy

The costly nature of the offering also brought to light the moral corruption of one of Jesus' inner circle:

• Judas's Criticism: The extravagance of the offering provoked Judas Iscariot, who objected to this "waste" and claimed the money should have been given to the poor John 12:4-5.

• Hidden Selfishness: Jesus affirmed that Judas’s complaint was not driven by care for the poor, but because Judas was a thief who stole from the common fund John 12:620MR 146.1+2. Thus, the generous act of the alabaster box served as a severe rebuke of Judas's covetous dispositionEW 165.1+1.

While both anointing events involved expensive perfumes presented in an alabaster container, only the later anointing by Mary of Bethany is specifically identified in scripture as using spikenard 🌿.

The primary difference is the detailed specification of the substance used during the Bethany feast, distinguishing it from the general term "ointment" used in the earlier account.

The Later Anointing: Spikenard, Very Costly

The anointing of Jesus by Mary of Bethany, which took place six days before the Passover, is clearly defined by the type and value of the perfume used John 12:1.

• Identified Substance: The gospel accounts specifically name the substance Mary used as "ointment of spikenard, very precious" or "very costly" Mark 14:3+1SBD Spikenard.2.

• High Value: The costliness of this spikenard was a notable detail, valued at more than three hundred pence, which represented a substantial sum, often equivalent to a year's wages for a laborer Mark 14:5+1LTJMB4 314.2+1. This high value emphasized the magnitude of Mary's loving sacrifice and devotionEW 165.1.

• Source of Spikenard: Spikenard (nerd) was a much-valued aromatic perfume, typically imported from Indian plants growing in the Himalaya mountainsETI Spikenard.2 Song of Sol 1:12. This costly, unadulterated substance was a sacred perfume and a treasure1MCP 242.1+1.

The Earlier Anointing: Ointment of a Sinner

The earlier event, recorded in Luke chapter 7, which occurred in the house of Simon the Pharisee, refers to the contents of the container simply as "ointment" Luke 7:37.

• Unspecified Type: The account of the unnamed woman "who was a sinner" does not specify whether the perfume was spikenard or another costly essence, focusing instead on the deep repentance and broken-hearted affections that motivated her act Luke 7:37ARSH January 6, 1859, page 51.25.

• Focus on Devotion: While the perfume itself must have been precious, as ointment was historically valued highly and guarded as a treasure, the narrative emphasizes the sincerity of the woman's repentance and Jesus’ profound lesson on forgiveness Luke 7:37+1GCB April 7, 1901, page 108.5.

Therefore, while both acts were beautiful demonstrations of heartfelt devotion involving precious materials—the alabaster box—only Mary of Bethany’s act in the later anointing explicitly specifies the use of "spikenard," underscoring her extraordinary personal sacrifice in preparing Jesus for His burial Mark 14:8DA 558.4.

Yes, the alabaster box (alabastron) was indeed the standard and highly esteemed vessel used for containing precious oils and perfumes during that era, featuring prominently in both anointing events recorded in the Gospels 🧐.

The fact that an alabaster box appears in both the earlier anointing by the woman who was a sinner in the Pharisee’s house and the later anointing by Mary of Bethany demonstrates its universal recognition as the appropriate container for valuable fragrances Luke 7:37+2.

The Alabastron: Standard Perfume Vessel

The container’s name and material were deeply connected to its purpose of preserving costly substances:

• Best Preservation: The ancients regarded alabaster as the best material in which to preserve fine ointmentsSBD Alabaster.2+1.

• Source of the Name: Although the actual phials or flasks (alabastron) were frequently made of the whitish alabaster stone—a translucent carbonate of lime—the name eventually became applied to any perfume vessel, regardless of what material it was formed from, simply because alabaster was so commonly usedLTJMB3 326.2+2.

• Common Use: The use of perfumes and fragrant oils was abundant and common in Palestine, and the flasks containing these substances were sometimes even worn by women as ornaments around the neckLTJMB3 326.2.

Design of the Alabaster Box

The specific design of the alabaster box also explains a key detail in the narrative of Mary of Bethany:

• Necessity of Breaking: These flasks were designed to be sealed tightly to preserve the volatile fragrance of the oil, such as spikenardLTJMB3 326.2+1. To access the contents, the woman "broke" the box, which generally meant breaking off the long and narrow neck of the vessel Mark 14:3ETI Alabaster.2.

• Containment for Precious Goods: Since some of the oils contained were exceptionally precious—spikenard, for example, could be valued at three hundred denarii, an enormous sum—the alabaster box was crucial for holding and transporting such costly merchandiseLTJMB4 314.2+1.

Thus, the alabaster box serves as an immediate visual signifier in the Gospel accounts, indicating that the offering was an act of profound and extravagant sacrifice, whether it was the unnamed sinner demonstrating her overwhelming repentance and gratitude, or Mary of Bethany expressing her deep love and faith in preparation for Christ’s burial Luke 7:37+1.