Matthew 26:7
There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.
Original Language Analysis
προσῆλθεν
There came
G4334
προσῆλθεν
There came
Strong's:
G4334
Word #:
1 of 14
to approach, i.e., (literally) come near, visit, or (figuratively) worship, assent to
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
2 of 14
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
ἀλάβαστρον
an alabaster box
G211
ἀλάβαστρον
an alabaster box
Strong's:
G211
Word #:
4 of 14
properly, an "alabaster" box, i.e., (by extension) a perfume vase (of any material)
ἔχουσα
having
G2192
ἔχουσα
having
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
6 of 14
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 14
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπὶ
on
G1909
ἐπὶ
on
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
10 of 14
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τῆν
G3588
τῆν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κεφαλὴν
head
G2776
κεφαλὴν
head
Strong's:
G2776
Word #:
12 of 14
the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively
Cross References
Luke 7:46My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.Isaiah 57:9And thou wentest to the king with ointment, and didst increase thy perfumes, and didst send thy messengers far off, and didst debase thyself even unto hell.Psalms 133:2It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;Ecclesiastes 9:8Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.Song of Solomon 1:3Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.
Historical Context
Nard (spikenard) came from the Nardostachys jatamansi plant in India/Nepal, making it extraordinarily expensive. To break the sealed alabaster flask meant pouring out everything—the ointment couldn't be preserved for another use. This was total, unreserved devotion.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Mary's 'waste' of precious ointment challenge our utilitarian calculations in worship and our concept of what God is worth?
- What spiritual insight enabled Mary to understand Jesus's approaching death when the disciples remained blind to it?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment—John 12:3 identifies her as Mary of Bethany. The alabastron (ἀλάβαστρον) was a flask carved from translucent alabaster stone, sealed to preserve aromatic oil. The ointment was nardos pistikos (νάρδος πιστικός), pure nard imported from the Himalayas—Mark 14:5 values it at 300 denarii (a year's wages for a laborer).
And poured it on his head, as he sat at meat—This prophetic act anointed Jesus as Messiah ('Christ' means 'Anointed One'). Kings were anointed on the head (1 Samuel 10:1, 16:13). Mary grasps what the disciples miss: Jesus is about to die. Her extravagant worship prefigures His burial anointing.