Matthew 26:7

KJV

There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat [at meat].

KJV (with Strong's)

There came {G4334} unto him {G846} a woman {G1135} having {G2192} an alabaster box {G211} of very precious {G927} ointment {G3464}, and {G2532} poured it {G2708} on {G1909} his {G846} head {G2776}, as he sat {G345} at meat.

Complete Jewish Bible

A woman who had an alabaster jar filled with very expensive perfume approached Yeshua while he was eating and began pouring it on his head.

Berean Standard Bible

a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He reclined at the table.

American Standard Version

there came unto him a woman having an alabaster cruse of exceeding precious ointment, and she poured it upon his head, as he sat at meat.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 26:7 vividly portrays an unnamed woman's profound act of devotion, as she approaches Jesus during a meal and anoints His head with a lavish quantity of very precious ointment from an alabaster box. This spontaneous and extravagant display of worship, occurring just days before His crucifixion, serves as a poignant foreshadowing of His impending death and burial, highlighting the depth of love and sacrifice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This event is strategically placed in Matthew's Gospel, immediately following Jesus's declaration that the Passover would occur in two days, leading to His betrayal and crucifixion ([Matthew 26:1-2](/matthew/26-1-2 "Matthew 26:1-2 - Jesus Predicts His Death")). It also directly precedes Judas Iscariot's decision to betray Jesus ([Matthew 26:14-16](/matthew/26-14-16 "Matthew 26:14-16 - Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus")). The stark contrast between the woman's selfless devotion and Judas's calculated treachery underscores the spiritual battle unfolding. Matthew, Mark ([Mark 14:3-9](/mark/14-3-9 "Mark 14:3-9 - The Anointing at Bethany")), and John ([John 12:1-8](/john/12-1-8 "John 12:1-8 - Mary Anoints Jesus")) all record this event, though John identifies the woman as Mary of Bethany and places it slightly earlier in the narrative, emphasizing its significance in the final days of Jesus's earthly ministry.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The scene takes place in Bethany, a village near Jerusalem, at the home of Simon the Leper ([Mark 14:3](/mark/14-3 "Mark 14:3 - Simon the Leper's House")). Dining customs in ancient Jewish culture involved reclining at low tables, making it easy for someone to approach from behind. While anointing a guest's head with oil was a common gesture of hospitality, the use of "very precious ointment" (Greek: _myron_) from an "alabaster box" (Greek: _alabastron_) elevated this act far beyond mere custom. Such perfume was exceptionally costly, often representing a year's wages or more, indicating immense personal sacrifice. Alabaster jars were typically sealed to preserve the fragrance, and sometimes had to be broken to release their contents, signifying a complete and irreversible offering. This act also resonates with the Jewish practice of anointing bodies for burial, adding a layer of prophetic significance.
* **Key Themes:** The Anointing at Bethany contributes to several major themes in Matthew's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it exemplifies **extravagant devotion** and selfless worship, contrasting sharply with the disciples' pragmatic, and Judas's greedy, perspectives ([Matthew 26:8](/matthew/26-8 "Matthew 26:8 - Disciples' Indignation")). Secondly, Jesus interprets the act as a **prophetic preparation for His burial** ([Matthew 26:12](/matthew/26-12 "Matthew 26:12 - Jesus Explains the Anointing")), highlighting His foreknowledge of His impending death and underscoring the purpose of His mission. This theme emphasizes Jesus's sovereignty even in His suffering. Finally, the event serves as a powerful illustration of **true discipleship**, where love for Christ transcends material value and human judgment, anticipating the ultimate sacrifice of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") for the sins of the world.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **alabaster box (Greek, _alábastron'_):** This term refers to a small, often pear-shaped flask made from alabaster, a soft, fine-grained stone, or sometimes other materials. These vessels were specifically designed to hold precious perfumes and were frequently sealed to preserve the volatile fragrance. The act of "breaking" the box (as described in Mark's parallel account) or simply pouring from it, signifies the complete and unreserved release of its valuable contents, emphasizing the totality of the woman's gift.
* **very precious (Greek, _barýtimos'_):** A compound word derived from _barýs_ (heavy, weighty) and _timḗ_ (honor, value, price). It literally means "heavy in price" or "highly valuable." This adjective underscores the immense monetary and symbolic worth of the ointment, highlighting the extraordinary nature of the woman's offering. It was not merely expensive, but exceptionally so, signifying a significant portion of her wealth or savings.
* **poured it (Greek, _katachéō'_):** This verb means "to pour down" or "to pour out." The prefix _kata-_ (down) intensifies the action, suggesting a deliberate and generous outpouring rather than a mere sprinkling. This emphasizes the abundance and completeness of the anointing, signifying a lavish and unreserved act of devotion. The ointment was not sparingly applied but fully given.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment":** This opening phrase immediately sets the scene, introducing the central figure and the significant object of her devotion. The woman's approach is deliberate, indicating her intention to perform this specific act. The description of the "alabaster box of very precious ointment" immediately signals the extraordinary nature and high value of her offering, preparing the reader for an act of unusual significance.
* **"and poured it on his head":** This is the core action of the verse. The woman's direct anointing of Jesus's head with such a costly substance goes beyond typical hospitality. In ancient Israel, anointing the head was a practice reserved for kings, priests, or prophets, signifying divine appointment and consecration. By anointing Jesus's head, the woman, perhaps unknowingly, acknowledged His unique status as the Messiah, the Anointed One. The act is one of reverence, honor, and perhaps even prophetic recognition of His royal and priestly roles.
* **"as he sat at meat":** This detail provides the setting for the event, indicating that Jesus was reclining at a meal, a common posture for dining in that culture. This casual, intimate setting makes the woman's bold and public act even more striking. It highlights her disregard for social conventions or potential criticism, focusing solely on her devotion to Jesus. The timing, during a meal, also contrasts with the solemnity and prophetic weight of her action.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several powerful literary devices. **Symbolism** is prominent, with the "alabaster box" representing a sealed, precious possession, and the "ointment" symbolizing devotion, sacrifice, and the sweet aroma of worship. The act of anointing itself is deeply symbolic, foreshadowing Jesus's burial and connecting Him to the ancient practice of consecrating kings and priests. There is also clear **Foreshadowing**, as Jesus interprets the woman's act as preparation for His death and burial, an event that is imminent in the narrative. The scene also utilizes **Contrast**, setting the woman's selfless, extravagant love against the pragmatic, critical, and ultimately greedy reactions of the disciples, particularly Judas Iscariot. This juxtaposition highlights the difference between genuine spiritual insight and worldly concerns.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The anointing of Jesus by the woman in Matthew 26:7 is a profound theological statement on the nature of true worship, sacrifice, and the recognition of Christ's supreme worth. Her act, though seemingly wasteful to some, was an outpouring of love that Jesus Himself deemed beautiful and eternally memorable. It teaches that genuine devotion often transcends human logic and material value, prioritizing radical surrender and honor to God above all else. The anointing also serves as a crucial prophetic act, unknowingly preparing Jesus's body for the ultimate sacrifice, connecting His anointing as Messiah to His anointing for burial. It underscores the divine plan for His suffering and glorification, revealing that even seemingly small acts of devotion can carry immense spiritual significance within God's sovereign purposes.

* [Mark 14:3-9](/mark/14-3-9 "Mark 14:3-9 - The Anointing at Bethany (Parallel Account)")
* [John 12:1-8](/john/12-1-8 "John 12:1-8 - Mary Anoints Jesus (Parallel Account)")
* [Psalm 23:5](/psalms/23-5 "Psalm 23:5 - Anointing with Oil")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 26:7 calls believers to a deeper examination of their own devotion to Jesus Christ. The woman's act was not calculated or reserved, but an extravagant offering of her most valuable possession, demonstrating a heart completely surrendered to Christ. In a world that often values practicality and efficiency, this passage challenges us to consider if our worship and service are truly "precious" to us, costing us something significant, or if we offer only what is convenient or leftover. Are we willing to pour out our "alabaster boxes"—our time, talents, resources, and deepest affections—without reservation, trusting that our acts of love for Jesus are profoundly meaningful in God's eyes, regardless of how they may be perceived or criticized by others? This story encourages us to give our absolute best to God, recognizing His supreme worth and the unparalleled sacrifice He made for us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "alabaster box" (most precious possession, talent, or resource) might God be calling you to pour out for Him today, even if it seems "wasteful" to others?**
* **How does the woman's extravagant devotion challenge your own understanding of worship and sacrifice?**
* **In what ways might you be holding back from fully honoring Christ, perhaps due to fear of judgment or a desire for practicality?**
* **How can you cultivate a heart of selfless and unreserved love for Jesus, mirroring the woman's devotion?**

### FAQ
**Who was the woman who anointed Jesus?**

Answer: While Matthew and Mark's Gospels do not name the woman, John's Gospel, in its parallel account of this event in [John 12:1-8](/john/12-1-8 "John 12:1-8 - Mary Anoints Jesus"), identifies her as Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha, who lived in Bethany. It's important to distinguish this anointing from a separate event described in [Luke 7:36-50](/luke/7-36-50 "Luke 7:36-50 - The Anointing by a Sinful Woman"), where a sinful woman anoints Jesus's feet in Galilee during an earlier stage of His ministry. The anointing in Matthew 26:7, by Mary of Bethany, is distinct in its timing (just before the Passion), location (Bethany), and Jesus's interpretation of the act as preparation for His burial.

**Why was the ointment considered "very precious"?**

Answer: The ointment, likely a perfumed oil made from nard, was extremely valuable. John's Gospel specifies its worth as "three hundred denarii" ([John 12:5](/john/12-5 "John 12:5 - Value of the Ointment")), which was roughly equivalent to a year's wages for a common laborer. This high value stemmed from the rarity and cost of its ingredients, often imported from distant lands, and the labor involved in its preparation. The fact that the woman possessed such an expensive item and was willing to pour it out entirely underscores the profound nature of her sacrifice and devotion to Jesus.

**Why did Jesus commend this act, even when others criticized it as "wasteful"?**

Answer: Jesus commended the woman's act because He saw beyond its monetary value to its spiritual significance and prophetic purpose. While some disciples, particularly Judas Iscariot ([John 12:4-6](/john/12-4-6 "John 12:4-6 - Judas's Treachery")), saw it as a waste that could have benefited the poor, Jesus understood it as a beautiful and timely act of worship and preparation for His impending death and burial. He declared that her act would be remembered wherever the gospel was preached ([Matthew 26:13](/matthew/26-13 "Matthew 26:13 - Jesus's Prophecy about the Woman's Act")). This highlights Jesus's perspective on true devotion, which values sacrificial love and honor for Him above all else, even over what might seem pragmatically beneficial.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The anointing of Jesus in Matthew 26:7, far from being a mere act of hospitality, serves as a profound Christ-centered fulfillment, pointing directly to His person and redemptive work. The "very precious ointment" poured out on His head foreshadows the infinitely more precious blood of Christ, which would soon be poured out on the cross for the forgiveness of sins ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - The Blood of Christ Cleanses Conscience")). The woman's act of anointing His body for burial, though perhaps unknowingly, prophetically prepares the Messiah for His ultimate sacrifice, fulfilling the divine plan by which He would become the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Just as the fragrance of the ointment filled the house, the "aroma" of Christ's perfect obedience and atoning death fills the heavens, a pleasing sacrifice to God ([Ephesians 5:2](/ephesians/5-2 "Ephesians 5:2 - Christ's Sacrifice as a Fragrant Offering")). This event underscores Jesus's identity as the Anointed One (Christ), whose anointing was not with oil for earthly kingship, but with the Holy Spirit for a cosmic mission of salvation, culminating in His death, resurrection, and ascension, through which we receive eternal life and reconciliation with God ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")). The woman's lavish devotion, therefore, becomes a mirror reflecting the Father's own extravagant love in giving His Son for humanity ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World")), and Christ's self-emptying love in taking on human form and dying for us ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")).

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

John 12:2

There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.

John 12:3

Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.

Luke 7:46

My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.

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 7:38

And stood at his feet behind [him] weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe [them] with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed [them] with the ointment.

Song Of Solomon 1:3

Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name [is as] ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.

Exodus 30:23

Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred [shekels], and of sweet cinnamon half so much, [even] two hundred and fifty [shekels], and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty [shekels],