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. 4 And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? 5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. 6 And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. 7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. 8 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. 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. (Mark 14:3-9 KJV)
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
We have here examples of the kindness of Christ’s friends and the honor they showed him. Even around Jerusalem, Christ had friends who loved him and felt they could never do enough for him. Though Israel as a whole did not receive him, he remained glorious among those who did.
One friend was kind enough to invite him to dinner, and Christ kindly accepted the invitation (Mark 14:3). Though he knew his death was near, he did not withdraw into isolation but continued to spend time with his friends as usual.
Another friend honored him by anointing his head with very expensive ointment while he sat at the table. This act showed that she considered nothing too valuable for Christ. As the Song of Songs says, “While the king was at his table, my perfume spread its fragrance” (Song of Songs 1:12). Let us show our love and allegiance to Christ just as she did. He poured out his soul to death for us; shall we consider anything too costly to offer him?
She carefully poured the ointment entirely on his head. Though the text says she “broke” the alabaster box, which was hard to break, it might be better understood that she struck it or shook it to loosen the contents. She made sure Christ received all of it. We should honor him with all we have and not hold anything back. If we give him the precious ointment of our hearts, let it be wholehearted love.
Some criticized this act, calling it a waste (Mark 14:4). They couldn’t imagine making such a costly gesture themselves, so they thought she was being excessive. But those who are truly generous should not be labeled wasteful. They claimed the ointment could have been sold and the money given to the poor (Mark 14:5). But just as general offerings to the temple don’t excuse neglecting specific needs of parents (Mark 7:11), a general concern for the poor doesn’t excuse failing to honor the Lord. Whatever good thing your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.
Jesus interpreted her action more deeply than she probably intended. She likely only meant to show her love and complete his welcome among the guests. But Jesus saw it as an act of faith as well as love (Mark 14:8): “She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial,” as though she knew he would rise again before anyone could do this later. This act foreshadowed his death. Christ’s mind was filled with thoughts of his suffering, and he spoke of it freely.
Just as those condemned to die may prepare their coffins and funeral arrangements, Jesus accepted this anointing as part of his burial. His death and burial were the lowest points of his humiliation, but he wanted them to be marked with honor. This showed how precious the death of the saints is in God’s eyes. Christ never rode into Jerusalem in triumph except when going to suffer, nor was his head anointed except in preparation for burial.
Jesus ensured this woman’s act would be remembered throughout the world. “Wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her” (Mark 14:9). The honor of doing right in God’s eyes outweighs the contempt of people. “The memory of the righteous is a blessing” (Proverbs 10:7), and even those mocked for their faith are honored by God (Hebrews 11:36, 39). She did not waste her oil or her effort. She gained a good name, which is better than costly perfume (Ecclesiastes 7:1). Those who honor Christ will be honored by him.