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a woman came to him having an alabaster jar of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table.
Verse Takeaways
1
An Act of Costly Worship
Commentators emphasize that this was no ordinary perfume. It was an "exceeding precious" ointment, likely spikenard from India, stored in a special alabaster flask. Its value was immense, with some scholars noting it could be worth a year's wages for a laborer. The woman's act was a profound and sacrificial expression of her devotion, holding nothing back in her worship of Jesus.
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Matthew
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9
18th Century
Presbyterian
There came unto him a woman. This woman was Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha (John 12:3).
Having an alabaster…
An alabaster cruse of exceeding precious ointment (αλαβαστρον μυρου βαρυτιμου). The flask was of alabaster, a carbonate of lime or…
19th Century
Anglican
There came to him a woman — We learn from St. John (John 12:3) that this was Mary, the sister of Lazarus. It is hardly…
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Baptist
We do not know who Simon the leper was, nor whether this woman was Mary, the sister of Lazarus, though I believe she was the one who came to Jesus,…
This is the second time Jesus was anointed, the first time being recorded in Lk 7:36–50 (on Bethany, see comment on 21:1–2). Matthew sets the scene…
17th Century
Reformed Baptist
There came to him a woman By some thought to be the same that is spoken of in (Luke 7:37), and by most, …
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The pouring of ointment on Christ's head was a token of the highest respect. When there is true love in the heart for Jesus Christ, nothing will be…
13th Century
Catholic
The Evangelist, having related the preparatory events for the Passion, here begins to discuss Christ’s Passion, which is divided into two parts. Fi…
