Matthew chapter 26 verses 6-13
This is one of the seven events described in Matthew chapter 26. Note the framework for this woman’s act of love and devotion: it is preceded by the plotting of the religious leaders and is followed by the record of the treachery of Judas.
The present writer does not identify this incident with that recorded in John 12:2-8, concerning Mary of Bethany. Admittedly, the conversations which took place were similar, but the deeds were different. The supper in John chapter 12 took place just before the Lord Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a young ass, but here in Matthew chapter 26, it took place just before the Passover. Other differences are seen between the event recorded in John chapter 12 and that which we are presently considering. In the former case, it was “a pound of ointment of spikenard” (John 12:3); in the latter case, it was “an alabaster box of very precious ointment” (Matt 26:7). In the former case, the feet of the Lord Jesus were anointed (John 12:3); in the latter case, the ointment was “poured … on his head” (Matt 26:7). In the former case, it was Judas who asked the question as to why it was not sold (John 12:5), whereas, in the latter case, it was “his disciples” who “had indignation” and said “this ointment might have been sold for much” (Matt 26:9).
Verse 6
“When Jesus was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper” – presumably this man had been afflicted with leprosy, but it had been cleansed. It is unlikely, had he been a leper at this time, that men would have gathered together at his house. The designation “Simon the leper”, however, remained with him to distinguish him from the other Simons (eight of them!). It was perhaps appropriate that the One who was rejected by His nation and its rulers (verses1-5) should be entertained by a man who would have known something of being “despised and rejected of men” himself.
Verse 7
“There came unto him a woman” – she is not named; others were present, but she “came unto him”. Evidently, she had no eyes for who or what was around her; He and He alone was her object; she was absorbed with Him; she thought of none beside. There is a lesson for us to learn here. “Having an alabaster box (or flask) of very precious ointment”: the alabaster box would have been made of marble-like stone found near Albastron in Egypt; usually it was shaped like a flask with a long, sealed neck. The neck would be broken to gain access to the perfume or ointment. This ointment was “very precious” – it was a most expensive gift. It had been previously prepared and stored, so it was kept from contact with the world. It was only suitable for the Lord, so she “poured it on his head as he sat at meat (or reclined at table)”. She anointed the head of the Lord Jesus as if He were the King – this is most appropriate to Matthew’s gospel. The costliness of her sacrifice expressed the depth of her devotion to the Lord Jesus; she was saying, in effect, there was nothing too good for Him.
Verse 8
If in verses 6-7 we have anointing, here we find indignation: “when his disciples saw it they had indignation, saying, to what purpose is this waste?” What a state of heart these few words reveal! How sad it was! How hurtful to Him! What a slight to her! However, if she had no eyes for who or what was around her, evidently she had no ears for the criticism of those who witnessed her deed. The disciples thought of it as “waste”, as if anything devoted to the Christ of God could be waste. Time and energy devoted by believers to worship and service is not wasted. If the action of the woman here can rightly be described as ‘spiritual’, then the attitude of the disciples was ‘carnal’.
Verse 9
Here we have the disciples’ reasoning: “For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor”. The disciples seemed to have no understanding of worship. Worship Godward, in spirit and in truth, cannot be replaced with good works.
Verse 10
Here we have rebuke. We see the divine assessment of such unjust criticism. “When Jesus understood it” – He understood in the sense of knowing their thoughts, “he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman?” His sympathy was for the one who ministered to Him so faithfully, “for she hath wrought a good (beautiful) work upon me “ – this expression denotes a delicate and refined sense of the suitability of things; she did what was most fitting. The Lord Jesus recognises the love that is lavish in its personal devotion as noble and excellent in itself.
Verse 11
Here we have Christ’s reasoning. “For ye have the poor always with you”; the poor would always be present and could be helped at any time. Note that we should not forget the poor, Paul says, “only they (the council at Jerusalem) would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do” (Gal 2:10). “But me ye have not always”: the Lord Jesus was shortly to leave them and such opportunities to minister to His body would no longer be present. There must be a balance between opportunities: the first and great commandment, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Matt 22:37) comes before the second, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matt 22:39).
In verses 12-13 we have vindication.
Verse 12
“For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial” (literal embalming, the preparation of the body for burial). Her act was not wasteful, but beautiful. Not only so, it was perfectly timed. The poor could be helped at any time, but only once in the history of the world could the Lord Jesus be anointed for burial. This woman was not one of those who prepared spices and ointments to bring to the sepulchre after His death (Luke 23:56; 24:1). She made her contribution before He died. She believed the Lord’s prediction concerning His death; she seemed to see clearly that men were bent upon securing His death, and that it was imminent, and by faith and out of love, she acted accordingly.
Verse 13
“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”. The Lord Jesus passes a higher commendation on this than on any other act recorded in the New Testament. The words which He spoke in appreciation of this woman’s service and gift have come blessedly true. Her act has come down to us in the gospel record linked with His blessed Name. We might well say that the hand of the Master has erected a memorial to her which shall never perish, though much else might be forgotten.
The message would also reflect what “this woman hath done”, namely that she acted in faith that she had in His death. Preaching the gospel does not only present doctrine and historical facts, but it also concerns faith that accepts and worships. We should make the Lord Jesus the immediate object of every little act of service. We should so seek to do our every work as that He may be able to say, it is “a good work upon me”.
David E West.