Matthew 26:12
For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.
Original Language Analysis
βαλοῦσα
hath poured
G906
βαλοῦσα
hath poured
Strong's:
G906
Word #:
1 of 15
to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense)
γὰρ
For in that
G1063
γὰρ
For in that
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 15
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
αὕτη
G846
αὕτη
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 15
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐπὶ
on
G1909
ἐπὶ
on
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
7 of 15
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σώματός
body
G4983
σώματός
body
Strong's:
G4983
Word #:
9 of 15
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
πρὸς
it for
G4314
πρὸς
it for
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
11 of 15
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Mark 14:8She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.John 12:7Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.Mark 16:1And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.2 Chronicles 16:14And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries' art: and they made a very great burning for him.
Historical Context
Jewish burial customs required washing the body and anointing it with aromatic oils and spices within hours of death. The anointing preserved the body temporarily and covered the odor of decomposition. Jesus's actual burial was hurried due to the Sabbath, making Mary's anointing providentially significant.
Questions for Reflection
- How did Mary gain spiritual insight into Jesus's approaching death when the twelve apostles remained blind to it?
- What does it mean for you to 'anoint Jesus for burial'—to honor His death and sacrifice in your worship?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial—The Greek pros to entaphiasai (πρὸς τὸ ἐνταφιάσαι) means 'in preparation for burial.' Jesus interprets Mary's act as prophetic anointing for His imminent death. Jews anointed corpses with spices and perfumes before burial (John 19:40)—Mary anoints Him while He lives.
This reveals profound irony: after His crucifixion, the women who came to anoint Jesus's body found the tomb empty (Mark 16:1-6). Mary's anointing beforehand was the only burial preparation Jesus received while still alive. She understood what others missed—the King must die before He reigns.