Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 26:6

"Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper," — Matthew 26:6 (ASV)

In Bethany. See the notes on Matthew 21:1.

Simon the leper. Simon who had been a leper.

Leper. See the notes on Matthew 8:2.

It was unlawful to eat with people who had leprosy. It is therefore more than probable that this Simon had been healed—perhaps by our Lord himself.

Matthew 12:1 says that this was the house where Lazarus was, who had been raised from the dead. Probably Lazarus was a relative of Simon’s and was living with him. Matthew further says that they made Jesus a supper and that Martha served.

John says that this was six days before the Passover. From the order in which Matthew and Mark mention it, one might suppose it was only two days before the Passover and after the cleansing of the temple. However, it is to be observed:

1. Matthew and Mark often neglect the exact order of the events they record.

2. They do not affirm when this was. They leave it indefinite, saying that while Jesus was in Bethany, he was anointed by Mary.

3. Matthew introduced it here to give a connected account of the conduct of Judas. Judas murmured at the waste of the ointment (John 12:4), and one of the effects of his indignation, it seems, was to betray his Lord.