Matthew 26:13

KJV

Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, [there] shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.

KJV (with Strong's)

Verily {G281} I say {G3004} unto you {G5213}, Wheresoever {G3699}{G1437} this {G5124} gospel {G2098} shall be preached {G2784} in {G1722} the whole {G3650} world {G2889}, there shall also {G2532} this, that {G3739} this woman {G3778}{G846} hath done {G4160}, be told {G2980} for {G1519} a memorial {G3422} of her {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yes! I tell you that throughout the whole world, wherever this Good News is proclaimed, what she has done will be told in her memory."

Berean Standard Bible

Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached in all the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 26:13 captures Jesus's profound declaration regarding an unnamed woman's act of anointing Him with expensive ointment in Bethany. Despite the disciples' indignation at what they perceived as a waste, Jesus affirms her deed as a beautiful preparation for His burial, prophesying that her loving, sacrificial act would be proclaimed as an enduring memorial wherever the gospel is preached throughout the entire world. This verse underscores the eternal significance of genuine devotion to Christ, contrasting human utilitarianism with divine recognition of uncalculating love.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the final week of Jesus's earthly ministry, just days before His crucifixion. The preceding verses (Matthew 26:6-12) describe the scene in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, where a woman pours costly perfume on Jesus's head. The disciples, particularly Judas Iscariot (as noted in [John 12:4-6](/john/12-4-6 "John 12:4-6 - Judas's Hypocrisy")), grumble, suggesting the ointment could have been sold for the poor. Jesus immediately defends the woman, stating her act is a preparation for His burial, setting the stage for the powerful declaration in [Matthew 26:13](/matthew/26-13 "Matthew 26:13 - Jesus's Prophecy of the Woman's Memorial"). This episode is immediately followed by Judas's agreement to betray Jesus (Matthew 26:14-16), highlighting the stark contrast between selfless devotion and calculating treachery.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Anointing with oil or perfume was a common practice in ancient Israel, often associated with hospitality, purification, or commissioning. However, this woman's act was extraordinary due to the immense value of the nard (likely spikenard, a rare and expensive perfume imported from India) and its application to Jesus's head (and feet in parallel accounts). Such an act would typically be reserved for kings, priests, or for embalming the dead. The disciples' indignation stemmed from a cultural understanding of stewardship, where such a valuable commodity might be better used for charity. Jesus's reinterpretation elevates the act from a mere social custom or economic transaction to a prophetic and deeply spiritual gesture, aligning it with the sacred rituals of burial preparation, which were culturally significant in preparing a body for its final rest.
* **Key Themes:** [Matthew 26:13](/matthew/26-13 "Matthew 26:13 - The Woman's Enduring Legacy") powerfully contributes to several key themes within Matthew's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the theme of **true discipleship**, contrasting the woman's selfless devotion with the disciples' misunderstanding and Judas's impending betrayal. It underscores the **value of sacrificial love and worship**, demonstrating that God values acts of genuine adoration over pragmatic calculations. Furthermore, it foreshadows the **global proclamation of the gospel**, connecting a singular act of devotion to the worldwide spread of the good news, echoing the universal mission that culminates in the [Great Commission](/matthew/28-18-20 "Matthew 28:18-20 - The Great Commission"). This verse also subtly points to the **imminence of Jesus's death and burial**, a central theme in the passion narrative that follows.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Verily (Greek, _amḗn'_):** From Hebrew origin, this word signifies "firm" or "trustworthy." When Jesus uses "Verily" (or "Amen"), it serves as a solemn affirmation, underscoring the absolute truth, certainty, and divine authority of the statement He is about to make. It demands attention and conveys the weight of His prophetic utterance.
* **gospel (Greek, _euangélion'_):** Derived from a word meaning "to bring good news," this term refers to the "good message" or "good tidings." In the New Testament, it specifically denotes the good news of God's salvation through Jesus Christ, encompassing His life, death, resurrection, and reign. Its global proclamation is central to Jesus's mission and the church's mandate.
* **memorial (Greek, _mnēmósynon'_):** This word denotes something that serves as a reminder, a lasting record, or a remembrance. It implies more than a fleeting memory; it is a permanent testament or a perpetual commemoration. Jesus's use of this term ensures that the woman's act will not merely be recalled but will be perpetually recounted and honored as an integral part of the gospel narrative.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Verily I say unto you,"**: This opening phrase, a signature of Jesus's teaching, emphasizes the absolute truth and divine authority of His subsequent declaration. It signals a profound and certain pronouncement that demands attention and belief.
* **"Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world,"**: This clause prophesies the universal and global reach of the Christian message. Jesus foresees a time when the good news of His saving work will extend beyond geographic and cultural boundaries, encompassing all nations and peoples.
* **"[there] shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her."**: This final clause directly links the woman's specific act of devotion to the worldwide proclamation of the gospel. Jesus declares that her deed will not be forgotten but will be perpetually recounted and honored as a lasting testament to her love and faith, becoming an inseparable part of the very message that spreads globally.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 26:13 employs several powerful literary devices. **Prophecy** is central, as Jesus foretells the global spread of the gospel and the enduring legacy of the woman's act, demonstrating His divine foresight and authority. The statement also utilizes **Hyperbole** to emphasize the vastness of the gospel's reach ("in the whole world") and, by extension, the extraordinary and lasting impact of the woman's seemingly small deed. There is a strong element of **Contrast** in the broader narrative, where Jesus's affirmation of the woman's devotion stands in stark opposition to the disciples' worldly judgment and Judas's imminent betrayal, highlighting the difference between true spiritual value and material calculation. Finally, the phrase "for a memorial of her" functions as a form of **Epitaph**, a lasting inscription or tribute that ensures her act will be perpetually remembered and honored as part of the unfolding story of salvation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 26:13 profoundly illustrates the divine economy of value, where acts of sincere, uncalculating devotion to Christ are eternally significant, often in ways unseen or misunderstood by human observers. It teaches that true worship is not measured by pragmatic utility but by the heart's extravagant love, aligning with the principle that giving one's best to God, even at great personal cost, is always honored. This verse also establishes an inseparable link between the proclamation of the gospel and the living testimonies of those transformed by it. The woman's act becomes an embodied sermon, a tangible expression of the love that the gospel inspires, demonstrating that the message of Christ is not merely abstract theology but a living reality that calls for radical devotion.

* [Mark 14:9](/mark/14-9 "Mark 14:9 - Parallel Account in Mark")
* [John 12:7-8](/john/12-7-8 "John 12:7-8 - Jesus's Defense of Mary's Act")
* [Hebrews 6:10](/hebrews/6-10 "Hebrews 6:10 - God Remembers Our Work and Love")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 26:13 serves as a powerful and enduring encouragement for every believer, reminding us that our acts of devotion, however small or seemingly insignificant in the eyes of the world, are seen, valued, and eternally remembered by God. This woman's extravagant act, deemed wasteful by some, was transformed by Jesus into a timeless testament to sacrificial love. It challenges us to examine our own hearts: are we holding back our "best" from God, or are we willing to offer our time, talents, resources, and affections with the same unreserved generosity? The lasting legacy promised to this woman assures us that genuine, humble, and uncalculating devotion to Jesus is never in vain. Our lives, when lived in surrendered love for Christ, become part of the ongoing story of His gospel, a testament to His transformative power that echoes through generations.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "costly ointment" (time, talent, treasure, affection) might the Lord be calling me to pour out for Him, even if it seems "wasteful" by worldly standards?**
* **How does my understanding of God's economy of value differ from the world's, and how might this impact my acts of worship and service?**
* **In what ways can my life become a "memorial" to Christ, reflecting His love and truth to those around me as the gospel spreads?**

### FAQ
**Who was the woman who anointed Jesus, and why was her act so significant?**

Answer: While Matthew's account does not name her, parallel Gospel accounts (specifically [John 12:1-8](/john/12-1-8 "John 12:1-8 - Mary of Bethany Anoints Jesus")) identify her as Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. Her act was significant not only because of the immense value of the perfume (likely a year's wages for a common laborer) but primarily because Jesus interpreted it as a prophetic act of preparation for His imminent burial. It was an extravagant, selfless expression of love and worship, contrasting sharply with the disciples' pragmatic concerns and Judas's treachery. Jesus's declaration in [Matthew 26:13](/matthew/26-13 "Matthew 26:13 - The Woman's Enduring Memorial") elevates her deed to eternal significance, making it an inseparable part of the gospel narrative.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 26:13 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the very gospel that is to be preached throughout the world. The woman's act of anointing Jesus for burial foreshadows and points to the central truth of the Christian faith: the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Her devotion, though beautiful, gains its lasting significance because it is directed towards the One who would become the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of the world. The "gospel" that is preached globally is not merely a set of abstract doctrines, but the good news of [Jesus Christ, crucified and risen](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - The Core of the Gospel"). Her memorial is forever linked to His, as His sacrifice is the foundation upon which the entire gospel message rests. Her act of love mirrors the greater love of Christ, who poured out His very life as an offering for humanity (as seen in [Ephesians 5:2](/ephesians/5-2 "Ephesians 5:2 - Christ's Sacrificial Love")). Thus, the global proclamation of her deed serves as a perpetual reminder of the profound love and sacrifice that both she, and supremely Christ, demonstrated, ensuring that the story of His redemptive work, and those who responded to it, will never be forgotten (as promised in [Revelation 7:9-10](/revelation/7-9-10 "Revelation 7:9-10 - A Multitude from Every Nation Worshipping")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Mark 14:9

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.

Matthew 24:14

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Psalms 112:6

¶ Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.

Psalms 98:2

The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.

Psalms 98:3

He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

1 Samuel 2:30

Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed [that] thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

Isaiah 52:9

Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.