Matthew 26:6

¶ Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,

Now {G1161} when Jesus {G2424} was {G1096} in {G1722} Bethany {G963}, in {G1722} the house {G3614} of Simon {G4613} the leper {G3015},

Yeshua was in Beit-Anyah, at the home of Shim`on, the man who had had tzara'at.

While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper,

Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,

Matthew 26:6 (KJV): "Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,"

Context

This verse sets the immediate scene for a pivotal event just days before Jesus' crucifixion. Jesus has come to Bethany, a village near Jerusalem, which was a frequent stopping point for Him and His disciples, particularly known as the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (see John 11:1). The setting is the house of a man named Simon, who is identified as "the leper." While no other biblical account explicitly details Simon's encounter with Jesus, it is widely believed that Jesus had previously healed him of his leprosy, hence Simon's willingness to host Him. This act of hospitality, a common practice in ancient Near Eastern culture, provides the backdrop for the significant anointing that follows.

Key Themes

  • Hospitality and Gratitude: Simon's hosting of Jesus suggests deep gratitude for a past healing or favor, illustrating the biblical theme of responding to God's grace with service.
  • Significance of Bethany: Bethany was a place of refuge and friendship for Jesus. It was here that He raised Lazarus from the dead and where He often stayed during His final week before His passion.
  • Setting the Stage for Anointing: This verse immediately precedes the account of a woman anointing Jesus with expensive ointment, an act of profound devotion and prophetic significance for His impending burial. This event is also recorded in Mark 14:3 and John 12:1-2, though with slightly different details and timing in John's Gospel.
  • Jesus' Humility: Jesus, the Son of God, willingly accepts the hospitality of a man who was once an outcast, demonstrating His compassion and willingness to associate with all people, regardless of their past.

Linguistic and Cultural Insights

The designation "Simon the leper" is significant. In ancient Jewish society, a leper was an outcast, ceremonially unclean, and separated from the community (see Leviticus 13:45). While Simon is still identified by his past affliction, the fact that he is hosting Jesus suggests he had been cleansed, likely by Jesus Himself. This detail subtly highlights Jesus' power over disease and His radical inclusion of those marginalized by society and religious law. The act of sharing a meal was a deeply intimate and significant social custom, signifying acceptance and fellowship.

Practical Application

Matthew 26:6, though brief, reminds us of the profound impact of Jesus' ministry on individual lives. Simon, once an outcast, was now able to offer hospitality to the Lord. This verse encourages believers to:

  • Offer Gratitude: Consider how we can express our gratitude for Christ's work in our lives, perhaps by offering our homes, resources, or time in service.
  • Embrace the Marginalized: Reflect on Jesus' example of associating with and healing those rejected by society. Our faith calls us to compassion and inclusion.
  • Prepare for Sacrifice: The setting at Simon's house leads directly to the anointing, an act that Jesus declared was in preparation for His burial. This prompts us to consider the sacrificial nature of Christ's love and what it means to follow a Savior who gave His life for us.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Luke 7:37

    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,

  • Luke 7:39

    Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw [it], he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman [this is] that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

  • Mark 14:3

    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.

  • 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.

  • John 12:1

    ¶ Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.

  • John 12:8

    For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.

  • John 11:1

    ¶ Now a certain [man] was sick, [named] Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.

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