question concerning the anointing of jesus

Much confusion concerning this question has been generated by the various positions advocated by scholars and theologians for centuries. Yet, God never sent His Word to bring confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). As we "study ... rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15), we must allow "the Spirit of truth" (John 16:13) to "mate" up the Scriptures for "his spirit it hath gathered them" (Isaiah 34:16). For every seemingly unclear, confusing Scripture, there are other Scriptures that will shed light upon it and clarify the truth being conveyed.

All four Gospels record the anointing of Jesus. Matthew 26:2 gives the time of this occurrence, stating, "After two days is the feast of the passover." Mark 14:1 tells the same thing, reading, "After two days was the feast of the passover." This anointing occurred "in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper" (Matthew 26:6; Mark 14:3). These accounts both relate that the "ointment" was "poured ... on his head" (Matthew 26:7; Mark 14:3). Note that Leviticus 21:10 speaks of "the anointing oil" being "poured" upon the head of the "high priest," and Christ is the "High Priest of our profession" (Hebrews 3:1). Jesus told His disciples the anointing was for His burial (Matthew 26:12; Mark 14:8). So, there is no question that these two passages are relating the same event.

It might be beneficial to understand the common custom of the day to gain insight as to what is referred to as "an alabaster box of very precious ointment" (Matthew 26:7). All four Gospels speak of this "ointment" (Matthew 26:7; Mark 14:3; Luke 7:37; John 12:3). All but the Gospel of John address "the alabaster box." One scholar wrote: "Jewish women were very fond of perfume; and often they carried a little alabaster phial of it around their necks. Such perfume was very valuable .... This phial of perfume represented very nearly a whole year's wages for a working man." One writer mentioned when the Scripture says, "She brake the box" (Mark 14:3), it means she broke the seal.

The account in John's Gospel relates a totally different occurrence. John 12:1 states this event occurred "six days before the passover." Verse 2 indicates this particular anointing took place when Jesus came to Martha's house upon His arrival in Bethany. Matthew 26:6 and Mark 14:3 tell us Jesus was "IN Bethany." John wrote, "Then Jesus six days before the passover CAME to Bethany." He went to Martha's house, and "Martha served" (verse 2). On this occasion, "Mary" took the "ointment" and "anointed the feet of Jesus" (verse 3).

There are distinct differences in these events. Matthew and Mark speak of what occurred "two days" prior to Passover. John wrote of an event that took place "six days" prior, when Jesus "came to Bethany." Both Matthew and Mark say He was "IN Bethany." What transpired in Matthew and Mark was in the "house of Simon the leper." What John related took place at Martha's house. In Matthew and Mark, the anointment was "poured on his head," but John recorded that Mary "anointed the feet of Jesus." Matthew and Mark speak of "the box," or "phial," but John does not. Conversely, John mentions "a pound" (John 12:3), where the other writers do not, as what was carried in a "phial" was not that much. 

"Mary" was well known to the disciples, yet no name was mentioned in any of the three synoptic Gospel accounts. When John related the occurrence, he recorded "Mary" as the one performing the anointing. These distinct differences reveal these were two separate events at two separate times and places.
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When we consider what Matthew 26:8-9, Mark 14:4-5, and John 12:4-5 relate concerning the reaction to these acts, we see two distinct things as well. What "Mary" did was "SIX days before the passover" (John 12:1), and John 12:4 tells us it was "Judas" who spoke out and criticized, saying, "Why was not this ointment sold?" (verse 5). Both Matthew and Mark's Gospels (which speak of the anointing taking place four days later) reveal the feelings of "Judas" had impacted the disciples. Matthew 26:8 tells, "But when his disciples [plural] saw it, they [plural] had indignation." Mark 14:4 says the same thing, writing, "There were some [plural] that had indignation." Here is another clear distinction between the two accounts.

Earl R. Borders

From the November 2024 issue of   The Gospel Trumpeter