Matthew 26:12

For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did [it] for my burial.

For in that {G1063} she {G3778}{G846} hath poured {G906} this {G5124} ointment {G3464} on {G1909} my {G3450} body {G4983}, she did {G4160} it for {G4314} my {G3165} burial {G1779}.

She poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial.

By pouring this perfume on Me, she has prepared My body for burial.

For in that she poured this ointment upon my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.

Commentary

Context of Matthew 26:12

This verse is part of the narrative of Jesus' anointing at Bethany, which occurs just days before His crucifixion. In this account, a woman (identified as Mary of Bethany in John 12:3) pours very expensive perfumed oil, or "ointment," on Jesus. The disciples, particularly Judas Iscariot, object to this act, deeming it a wasteful extravagance that could have been sold to benefit the poor. Jesus, however, defends the woman's action, revealing its profound prophetic significance related to His impending death and burial.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Prophetic Understanding: Jesus reveals that the woman's act, though perhaps not fully understood by her at the time, was a divinely orchestrated and prophetic preparation for His death. It speaks to Jesus' foreknowledge of His crucifixion and burial.
  • Preparation for Burial: In Jewish custom, bodies were typically anointed with spices and oils before burial. Jesus' statement indicates that this anointing served as a pre-burial ritual, especially poignant given the hurried nature of His actual burial after the crucifixion (John 19:38-42).
  • Devotion and Sacrifice: The woman's act was one of extreme devotion, offering a costly gift without reservation. It highlights the beauty of selfless worship and contrasts with the disciples' more pragmatic, earthly concerns.
  • Jesus' Acceptance of His Destiny: This verse underscores Jesus' full awareness and acceptance of His path to the cross, recognizing the woman's action as part of God's sovereign plan for His redemptive work.

Linguistic Insights

The term "ointment" in Greek is myron (μύρον), referring to a rich, fragrant, and often very expensive perfumed oil. Its high value underscores the significant sacrifice made by the woman. The phrase "for my burial" translates the Greek eis ton entaphiasmon mou (εἰς τὸν ἐνταφιασμόν μου), which specifically means "for my embalming" or "for my preparation for burial." This confirms Jesus' interpretation of the act as a direct and intentional preparation for His internment.

Related Scriptures

  • The parallel accounts of this anointing can be found in Mark 14:3-9 and John 12:1-8, each adding unique details to the narrative.
  • Jesus' frequent predictions of His death and resurrection are found throughout the Gospels, such as in Matthew 16:21 and Matthew 20:18-19.
  • The hurried nature of Jesus' actual burial and the women's intention to properly anoint His body later are mentioned in Luke 23:55-56 and Mark 16:1.

Practical Application

Matthew 26:12 encourages believers to consider the nature of their own devotion to Christ. Just as the woman gave her most precious possession, we are called to offer our best to God, even when it seems illogical or wasteful to others. This verse also reminds us that true worship often involves sacrifice and a spiritual understanding that transcends worldly logic. It highlights the importance of recognizing God's timing and purpose, even in seemingly ordinary acts, and living a life prepared for our ultimate encounter with Him.

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Cross-References

  • Mark 14:8 (4 votes)

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

  • John 12:7 (4 votes)

    Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.

  • Luke 23:56 (3 votes)

    And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

  • Luke 24:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ Now upon the first [day] of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain [others] with them.

  • 2 Chronicles 16:14 (3 votes)

    And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers kinds [of spices] prepared by the apothecaries' art: and they made a very great burning for him.

  • Mark 16:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the [mother] of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.

  • John 19:39 (2 votes)

    And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound [weight].