The Anointing of Jesus at Bethany: A Prophetic Act of Devotion

In the quiet village of Bethany, a place frequently visited by our Lord Jesus Christ and home to His beloved friends Lazarus, Martha, and Mary, a profound and deeply significant event transpired just days before the Passover, marking the final week of His earthly ministry. This anointing, recounted in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John, stands as a powerful testimony to selfless devotion, prophetic insight, and the contrasting attitudes towards Christ's impending sacrifice. It is a narrative rich with spiritual lessons, revealing the heart of true worship and the eternal significance of honoring the Son of God.

The Setting and the Sacred Act

The scene unfolds in the house of Simon the leper, a man presumably healed by Jesus, who hosted a supper in His honour. Lazarus, recently raised from the dead, sat at the table, a living testament to Christ's power over death. Martha, ever the diligent servant, ministered to the guests. But it was Mary, Lazarus’s sister, whose actions would forever be etched into the annals of gospel history.

Mary approached Jesus with an alabaster box, filled with ointment of spikenard, "very precious" (Mark 14:3) or "very costly" (Matthew 26:7). John’s Gospel specifies its value as "three hundred pence" (John 12:5), a sum equivalent to a year’s wages for a common labourer, highlighting its immense worth. Without hesitation, Mary broke the box, releasing the fragrant perfume. Mark and Matthew record that she poured it on Jesus's head, while John adds that she also anointed His feet and wiped them with her hair, filling the house with the "odour of the ointment" (John 12:3). This was not merely an act of hospitality; it was an extravagant, unreserved outpouring of love and reverence.

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.

John 12:3

Mary's act was one of profound humility and devotion. To break the alabaster box was a sign of total commitment, as it could not be resealed. To use such a precious substance, and to use her hair—a woman’s glory—to wipe His feet, demonstrated a complete surrender of self in worship. It was an act born not of calculation, but of overflowing love for her Lord.

The Disciples' Indignation and Judas's Hypocrisy

While the house was filled with the sweet fragrance of the spikenard, another, more bitter aroma began to emanate from the disciples: that of indignation and criticism. They murmured, questioning the perceived "waste" of such valuable ointment.

But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?

Matthew 26:8

Their complaint was seemingly practical: "This ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor" (Matthew 26:9). Mark's Gospel records some of them saying, "Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?" (Mark 14:5). John’s Gospel, however, exposes the true motive behind this complaint, attributing it specifically to Judas Iscariot.

Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

John 12:4-6

Judas's avarice is laid bare. His feigned concern for the poor masked a covetous heart, eager to pilfer from the common purse. This incident serves as a stark contrast between Mary's selfless love and Judas's selfish deceit, foreshadowing his ultimate betrayal for thirty pieces of silver.

Jesus's Defense and Profound Explanation

Jesus, perceiving their thoughts and the disciples' misguided criticism, immediately came to Mary's defense, silencing their murmuring with words of eternal significance.

When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.

Matthew 26:10

He declared that Mary had performed a "good work," a beautiful work, upon Him. He then offered a two-fold explanation that elevated her act far beyond their materialistic understanding:

  • Preparation for His Burial: Jesus revealed the prophetic nature of Mary's anointing. "For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial" (Matthew 26:12). Mark adds, "She is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying" (Mark 14:8). This was a direct, poignant reference to His impending death and burial. While the disciples were still struggling to comprehend His Messiahship beyond an earthly kingdom, Mary, perhaps unknowingly, was participating in a divinely appointed preparation for His ultimate sacrifice. Her act, though seemingly spontaneous, was, in God's providence, a pre-anointing for the grave, an act of reverence for the King who was about to die.
  • The Poor Always With You, But Me Not Always: Jesus addressed their feigned concern for the poor by reminding them of a perpetual truth: "For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always" (Mark 14:7). This statement was not a dismissal of charity but a clarification of priorities. There would always be opportunities to minister to the poor, but the unique opportunity to minister directly to the Son of God in person, in this particular moment, was fleeting. Mary seized that singular opportunity with an unreserved act of love, recognizing, perhaps intuitively, the preciousness of the moment.

    • An Everlasting Memorial and Deeper Significance

    Perhaps the most astonishing pronouncement Jesus made concerning this event was its eternal memorial. He declared:

    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.

    Mark 14:9

    This prophecy has been faithfully fulfilled for two millennia. Mary's act of devotion, humility, and prophetic anointing is indeed recounted wherever the Gospel is proclaimed. Her name, or at least her deed, is forever intertwined with the story of Christ's passion.

    The anointing at Bethany offers several profound spiritual lessons:

    • The Purity of Devotion: Mary's act was pure, selfless worship. It was an offering of her very best, without counting the cost. True worship is not about convenience or practicality, but about extravagant love poured out upon Christ.
    • Understanding Christ's Suffering: While the disciples struggled to grasp the reality of His crucifixion, Mary's act inadvertently (or perhaps supernaturally guided) acknowledged His impending death and burial. It highlights the spiritual blindness of even those closest to Jesus when compared to a heart fully yielded to Him.
    • The Value of Sacrificial Giving: The "waste" in the eyes of the disciples was an immense investment in the eyes of Christ. Sacrificial giving, whether of time, talent, or treasure, when directed towards Christ, is never wasted. It is a fragrant offering pleasing to God.
    • Prioritizing Christ: Jesus's statement about the poor teaches us that while charity is vital, there are unique moments and seasons for prioritizing direct worship and ministry to Christ Himself, especially in anticipation of His work.
    • The Contrast Between Love and Greed: The event sharply contrasts Mary's overflowing love with Judas's calculated greed, serving as a powerful illustration of the two paths one can take in response to Christ.
    • The Gospel's Core: This event is not merely a side story but is integral to the Gospel narrative. It underscores Christ's awareness of His mission, His acceptance of His fate, and the profound love that accompanied His journey to the cross.

    The anointing of Jesus at Bethany is a timeless reminder that genuine worship is often extravagant, sometimes misunderstood, but always precious in the sight of God. It was an act of beauty, a prophecy fulfilled, and a memorial to a woman whose love for her Savior transcended all earthly value, ensuring her deed would be remembered for all time, wherever the good news of Jesus Christ is preached.