CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 26:7 a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He reclined at the table.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/26-7.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/40_Mat_26_07.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 26:7 - Jesus Anointed at Bethany" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He reclined at the table." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/matthew/26-7.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/matthew/26-7.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/matthew/">Matthew</a> > <a href="/matthew/26.htm">Chapter 26</a> > Verse 7</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad7.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/26-6.htm" title="Matthew 26:6">◄</a> Matthew 26:7 <a href="/matthew/26-8.htm" title="Matthew 26:8">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/matthew/26.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/matthew/26.htm">New International Version</a> a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. <a href="/nlt/matthew/26.htm">New Living Translation</a> While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head. <a href="/esv/matthew/26.htm">English Standard Version</a> a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. <a href="/bsb/matthew/26.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He reclined at the table. <a href="/blb/matthew/26.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> a woman came to Him, having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and poured it on His head as He is reclining. <a href="/kjv/matthew/26.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/26.htm">New King James Version</a> a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table. <a href="/nasb_/matthew/26.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> a woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very expensive perfume, and she poured it on His head as He was reclining at the table. <a href="/nasb/matthew/26.htm">NASB 1995</a> a woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume, and she poured it on His head as He reclined at the table. <a href="/nasb77/matthew/26.htm">NASB 1977 </a> a woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume, and she poured it upon His head as He reclined at the table. <a href="/lsb/matthew/26.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of very costly perfume, and she poured it on His head as He reclined at the table. <a href="/amp/matthew/26.htm">Amplified Bible</a> a woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very expensive perfume and she poured it on Jesus’ head as He reclined at the table. <a href="/csb/matthew/26.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> a woman approached him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume. She poured it on his head as he was reclining at the table. <a href="/hcsb/matthew/26.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> a woman approached Him with an alabaster jar of very expensive fragrant oil. She poured it on His head as He was reclining at the table. <a href="/asv/matthew/26.htm">American Standard Version</a> there came unto him a woman having an alabaster cruse of exceeding precious ointment, and she poured it upon his head, as he sat at meat. <a href="/cev/matthew/26.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> A woman came in with a bottle of expensive perfume and poured it on Jesus' head. <a href="/erv/matthew/26.htm">English Revised Version</a> there came unto him a woman having an alabaster cruse of exceeding precious ointment, and she poured it upon his head, as he sat at meat. <a href="/gwt/matthew/26.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> While Jesus was sitting there, a woman went to him with a bottle of very expensive perfume and poured it on his head. <a href="/gnt/matthew/26.htm">Good News Translation</a> While Jesus was eating, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar filled with an expensive perfume, which she poured on his head. <a href="/isv/matthew/26.htm">International Standard Version</a> a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume and poured it on his head while he sat at the table. <a href="/msb/matthew/26.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He reclined at the table. <a href="/net/matthew/26.htm">NET Bible</a> a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of expensive perfumed oil, and she poured it on his head as he was at the table. <a href="/nheb/matthew/26.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> 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. <a href="/wbt/matthew/26.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> There came to him a woman having an alabaster-box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head as he sat at table. <a href="/wey/matthew/26.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> a woman came to Him with a jar of very costly, sweet-scented ointment, which she poured over His head as He reclined at table. <a href="/web/matthew/26.htm">World English Bible</a> 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. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/26.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> there came to Him a woman having an alabaster box of ointment, very precious, and she poured on His head as He is reclining. <a href="/blb/matthew/26.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> a woman came to Him, having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and poured it on His head as He is reclining. <a href="/ylt/matthew/26.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> there came to him a woman having an alabaster box of ointment, very precious, and she poured on his head as he is reclining (at meat). <a href="/slt/matthew/26.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> There came to him a woman having an alabaster box of costly perfumed ointment, and she poured upon the head of him, reclining at table.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/26.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> There came to him a woman having an alabaster box of precious ointment, and poured it on his head as he was at table. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/26.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> a woman drew near to him, holding an alabaster box of precious ointment, and she poured it over his head while he was reclining at table. <a href="/nabre/matthew/26.htm">New American Bible</a> a woman came up to him with an alabaster jar of costly perfumed oil, and poured it on his head while he was reclining at table. <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/26.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/26.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> A woman came up to him with an alabaster vessel of precious perfume, and she poured it upon the head of Jesus, while he was reclining. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/26.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> A woman came near to him who had with her of vase of oil of sweet spices, very expensive, and she poured it on Yeshua's head as he reclined.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/26.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> there came to him a woman who had an alabaster box of very costly ointment; and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. <a href="/godbey/matthew/26.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> a woman having an alabaster box of myrrh, very valuable, came to Him and poured it on His head, while sitting at the table. <a href="/haweis/matthew/26.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> there came to him a woman having an alabaster-box of very precious aromatic ointment, and poured it upon his head as he sat at table. <a href="/mace/matthew/26.htm">Mace New Testament</a> there came to him a woman with an alabaster-box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, while he was at table. <a href="/wey/matthew/26.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> a woman came to Him with a jar of very costly, sweet-scented ointment, which she poured over His head as He reclined at table. <a href="/worrell/matthew/26.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> there came to Him a woman having an alabaster cruse of very precious ointment, and poured it down upon His head, while reclining at table. <a href="/worsley/matthew/26.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> there came to Him a woman with an alabaster-box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head as He was at table: <a href="/parallel/matthew/26-7.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=7914" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/26.htm">Jesus Anointed at Bethany</a> 6While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, 7<a href="/greek/1135.htm" title="1135: gynē (N-NFS) -- A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife.">a woman</a> <a href="/greek/4334.htm" title="4334: prosēlthen (V-AIA-3S) -- From pros and erchomai; to approach, i.e. come near, visit, or worship, assent to.">came</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">to Him</a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: echousa (V-PPA-NFS) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">with</a> <a href="/greek/211.htm" title="211: alabastron (N-ANS) -- Neuter of alabastros, the name of a stone; properly, an alabaster box, i.e. a perfume vase.">an alabaster jar</a> <a href="/greek/927.htm" title="927: barytimou (Adj-GNS) -- Of great price. From barus and time; highly valuable.">of expensive</a> <a href="/greek/3464.htm" title="3464: myrou (N-GNS) -- Anointing-oil, ointment. Probably of foreign origin; myrrh, i.e. perfumed oil.">perfume,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/2708.htm" title="2708: katecheen (V-AIA-3S) -- To pour (down) upon. From kata and cheo; to pour down.">which she poured</a> <a href="/greek/1909.htm" title="1909: epi (Prep) -- On, to, against, on the basis of, at. ">on</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">His</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2776.htm" title="2776: kephalēs (N-GFS) -- From the primary kapto; the head, literally or figuratively.">head</a> <a href="/greek/345.htm" title="345: anakeimenou (V-PPM/P-GMS) -- To recline, especially at a dinner-table. From ana and keimai; to recline.">as He reclined at the table.</a> 8When the disciples saw this, they were indignant and asked, “Why this waste?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/john/12-3.htm">John 12:3</a> Then Mary took about a pint of expensive perfume, made of pure nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. <a href="/mark/14-3.htm">Mark 14:3</a> While Jesus was in Bethany reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke open the jar and poured it on Jesus’ head. <a href="/luke/7-37.htm">Luke 7:37-38</a> When a sinful woman from that town learned that Jesus was dining there, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume. / As she stood behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears and wipe them with her hair. Then she kissed His feet and anointed them with the perfume. <a href="/john/11-2.htm">John 11:2</a> (Mary, whose brother Lazarus was sick, was to anoint the Lord with perfume and wipe His feet with her hair.) <a href="/john/12-1.htm">John 12:1-8</a> Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, the hometown of Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. / So they hosted a dinner for Jesus there. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with Him. / Then Mary took about a pint of expensive perfume, made of pure nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. ... <a href="/mark/14-4.htm">Mark 14:4-5</a> Some of those present, however, expressed their indignation to one another: “Why this waste of perfume? / It could have been sold for over three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her. <a href="/luke/10-38.htm">Luke 10:38-42</a> As they traveled along, Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. / She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to His message. / But Martha was distracted by all the preparations to be made. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me!” ... <a href="/john/11-1.htm">John 11:1</a> At this time a man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. <a href="/john/11-5.htm">John 11:5</a> Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. <a href="/2_kings/4-9.htm">2 Kings 4:9-10</a> Then the woman said to her husband, “Behold, now I know that the one who often comes our way is a holy man of God. / Please let us make a small room upstairs and put in it a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp for him. Then when he comes to us, he can stay there.” <a href="/songs/1-12.htm">Song of Solomon 1:12</a> While the king was at his table, my perfume spread its fragrance. <a href="/songs/4-10.htm">Song of Solomon 4:10</a> How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! Your love is much better than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume than all spices. <a href="/proverbs/27-9.htm">Proverbs 27:9</a> Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the counsel of a friend is sweetness to the soul. <a href="/isaiah/53-3.htm">Isaiah 53:3</a> He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. <a href="/psalms/23-5.htm">Psalm 23:5</a> You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>There came to him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.came.<a href="/john/12-2.htm">John 12:2,3</a> There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him… very.<a href="/exodus/30-23.htm">Exodus 30:23-33</a> Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels, … <a href="/psalms/133-2.htm">Psalm 133:2</a> It 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;<a href="/ecclesiastes/9-8.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:8</a> Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/songs/5-15.htm">Alabaster</a> <a href="/luke/7-37.htm">Alabaster-Box</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-15.htm">Bottle</a> <a href="/isaiah/60-13.htm">Box</a> <a href="/matthew/13-46.htm">Costly</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-20.htm">Cruse</a> <a href="/matthew/17-23.htm">Exceeding</a> <a href="/revelation/18-12.htm">Expensive</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-15.htm">Flask</a> <a href="/matthew/25-23.htm">Great</a> <a href="/matthew/24-43.htm">Head</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-34.htm">Jar</a> <a href="/matthew/23-4.htm">Lay</a> <a href="/matthew/25-42.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/daniel/10-3.htm">Ointment</a> <a href="/matthew/6-17.htm">Perfume</a> <a href="/zechariah/4-12.htm">Poured</a> <a href="/matthew/10-31.htm">Precious</a> <a href="/matthew/13-46.htm">Price</a> <a href="/john/21-20.htm">Reclined</a> <a href="/matthew/14-9.htm">Reclining</a> <a href="/matthew/24-3.htm">Sat</a> <a href="/songs/5-13.htm">Sweet-Scented</a> <a href="/matthew/15-27.htm">Table</a> <a href="/2_kings/9-3.htm">Vial</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/mark/14-3.htm">Alabaster</a> <a href="/luke/7-37.htm">Alabaster-Box</a> <a href="/genesis/21-14.htm">Bottle</a> <a href="/mark/12-43.htm">Box</a> <a href="/mark/14-3.htm">Costly</a> <a href="/luke/7-37.htm">Cruse</a> <a href="/matthew/26-22.htm">Exceeding</a> <a href="/luke/7-25.htm">Expensive</a> <a href="/luke/7-37.htm">Flask</a> <a href="/matthew/26-47.htm">Great</a> <a href="/matthew/27-29.htm">Head</a> <a href="/mark/14-3.htm">Jar</a> <a href="/matthew/26-20.htm">Lay</a> <a href="/matthew/26-20.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/matthew/26-9.htm">Ointment</a> <a href="/matthew/26-9.htm">Perfume</a> <a href="/matthew/26-12.htm">Poured</a> <a href="/mark/14-3.htm">Precious</a> <a href="/matthew/26-9.htm">Price</a> <a href="/luke/7-36.htm">Reclined</a> <a href="/matthew/26-20.htm">Reclining</a> <a href="/matthew/26-20.htm">Sat</a> <a href="/mark/14-3.htm">Sweet-Scented</a> <a href="/matthew/26-20.htm">Table</a> <a href="/luke/7-37.htm">Vial</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 26</div>1. <a href="/matthew/26-1.htm">Jesus foretells his own death.</a> 3. <a href="/matthew/26-3.htm">The rulers conspire against him.</a> 6. <a href="/matthew/26-6.htm">The woman anoints his feet.</a> 14. <a href="/matthew/26-14.htm">Judas bargains to betray him.</a> 17. <a href="/matthew/26-17.htm">Jesus eats the Passover;</a> 26. <a href="/matthew/26-26.htm">institutes his holy supper;</a> 30. <a href="/matthew/26-30.htm">foretells the desertion of his disciples, and Peter's denial;</a> 36. <a href="/matthew/26-36.htm">prays in the garden;</a> 47. <a href="/matthew/26-47.htm">and being betrayed by a kiss,</a> 57. <a href="/matthew/26-57.htm">is carried to Caiaphas,</a> 69. <a href="/matthew/26-69.htm">and denied by Peter.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/26.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/26.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>a woman came to Him This phrase highlights the approach of a woman to Jesus, which is significant in the cultural context of the time. Women were often marginalized in first-century Jewish society, yet the Gospels frequently depict them as key figures in Jesus' ministry. This act of coming to Jesus demonstrates her boldness and faith, reminiscent of other women in Scripture who sought Jesus' help or offered Him worship, such as the woman with the issue of blood (<a href="/mark/5-25.htm">Mark 5:25-34</a>).with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume Alabaster was a fine, translucent stone commonly used in the ancient world to store precious ointments and perfumes. The mention of an "expensive perfume" indicates the value of the offering, suggesting it was likely nard, a costly aromatic oil imported from India. This act of bringing something valuable to Jesus symbolizes the woman's devotion and willingness to sacrifice for Him, paralleling the Old Testament practice of offering the best to God (<a href="/leviticus/2.htm">Leviticus 2:1-2</a>).which she poured on His head Anointing the head was a customary practice in ancient Israel, often associated with hospitality, honor, and consecration. Kings and priests were anointed as a sign of their divine appointment (<a href="/1_samuel/16-13.htm">1 Samuel 16:13</a>). By anointing Jesus' head, the woman acknowledges His messianic identity, foreshadowing His role as the Anointed One, the Christ. This act also prefigures His burial, as anointing was part of Jewish burial customs (<a href="/john/19-39.htm">John 19:39-40</a>).as He reclined at the table Reclining at the table was a typical posture during meals in the Greco-Roman world, indicating a formal dining setting. This setting underscores the communal and intimate nature of the event. The act of anointing during a meal further emphasizes the themes of fellowship and worship, as meals were often occasions for teaching and significant interactions in Jesus' ministry (<a href="/luke/22-14.htm">Luke 22:14-20</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a> Central figure in the passage, reclining at the table, symbolizing His role as the honored guest. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_woman.htm">The Woman</a> Unnamed in this passage, she performs an act of devotion by anointing Jesus with expensive perfume. 3. <a href="/topical/a/alabaster_jar.htm">Alabaster Jar</a> A container made from a fine stone, used to hold precious ointments or perfumes, signifying the value of the contents. 4. <a href="/topical/e/expensive_perfume.htm">Expensive Perfume</a> Represents a costly sacrifice, indicating the woman's deep reverence and love for Jesus. 5. <a href="/topical/r/reclining_at_the_table.htm">Reclining at the Table</a> A customary position during meals in ancient times, indicating a setting of fellowship and intimacy.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/e/extravagant_worship.htm">Extravagant Worship</a> The woman's act of anointing Jesus with expensive perfume demonstrates the importance of offering our best to God, regardless of the cost. <a href="/topical/p/preparation_for_sacrifice.htm">Preparation for Sacrifice</a> Her action foreshadows Jesus' impending death and burial, reminding us of the necessity of preparing our hearts for His sacrifice. <a href="/topical/c/courageous_devotion.htm">Courageous Devotion</a> The woman’s willingness to perform such a bold act in a public setting encourages believers to express their faith openly and without fear of judgment. <a href="/topical/v/value_of_sacrifice.htm">Value of Sacrifice</a> The costly perfume symbolizes the value of sacrificial giving, challenging us to consider what we are willing to give up for the sake of Christ. <a href="/topical/r/recognition_of_christ's_worth.htm">Recognition of Christ’s Worth</a> Her act signifies a deep understanding of Jesus' true identity and worth, prompting us to reflect on how we perceive and honor Him in our lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_26.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 26</a> <a href="/q/what's_the_alabaster_box's_theme.htm">What is the main theme of The Alabaster Box?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_luke_7_36-50_compare_to_other_anointings.htm">Luke 7:36-50 - How does the anointing of Jesus by a sinful woman align, or conflict, with other anointing accounts in the Gospels regarding location, timing, and participants?</a> <a href="/q/why_does_matthew's_anointing_differ.htm">In Matthew 26:6-13, why does the anointing scene differ from similar accounts in other Gospels regarding the woman's identity and purpose of the act?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_meaning_of_living_by_faith.htm">Who was Simon the Leper in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/26.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(7) There came unto him a woman.--We learn from St. John (<a href="/john/12-3.htm" title="Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.">John 12:3</a>) that this was Mary the sister of Lazarus. It is hardly conceivable (unless we conjecture that she came in veiled, and that St. John alone knew her) that the writers of the first two Gospels, or those from whom they derived their knowledge, could have been ignorant who she was, and we can only see in their suppression of the name an example of the singular reticence which sealed their lips as to every member of the family at Bethany. A prevalent tradition or conjecture in the Western Church has identified the sister of Lazarus with the woman that was a sinner, of Luke 7, and, on this assumption what we now read was a repetition of an offering of love that had been made before. Of this, however, there is not the shadow of proof (see Notes on <a href="/context/luke/7-37.htm" title="And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,">Luke 7:37-38</a>). It may well have been, on the other hand, that the household of Bethany had heard of that act, and that this suggested the way in which love and gratitude now manifested themselves.An alabaster box of very precious ointment.--The box was probably a vase of the material described as alabaster (according to one etymology, however, that word described originally the shape of the vase, as made without handles, and was subsequently extended to the material of which such vases were commonly made), with the lid cemented down, so as not to admit of extraction like a cork or stopper. St. John (<a href="/john/12-3.htm" title="Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.">John 12:3</a>) describes the quantity as a pound (litra=about twelve ounces); and both St. John and St. Mark add that it was "of spikenard." The word so rendered, however (pistike), is found only in those two passages (<a href="/mark/14-3.htm" title="And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she broke the box, and poured it on his head.">Mark 14:3</a>, <a href="/john/12-3.htm" title="Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.">John 12:3</a>), and it is open to question whether it bears this meaning, or means "pure, genuine, unadulterated." The "nard" so described is identified by botanists with the Nardostachys jatamansi, the sumbul of India, but was probably applied by Greeks and Romans to other perfumes. The value of the ointment is roughly estimated afterwards at three hundred denarii (<a href="/john/12-5.htm" title="Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?">John 12:5</a>). Such preparations, like genuine atar of roses in the modern East, consisting, as they did mainly, in the essential oils of carefully cultivated flowers, often fetched an almost fabulous price. The fact that Mary had such an unguent by her indicates that the household of Bethany belonged to the comparatively wealthy class, and so agrees with the general impression left by the record of John 11. It is a probable conjecture that a like costly unguent had been used in embalming the body of the brother who had so recently been raised from the dead, and that this gave a special point to our Lord's comment on the act. St. Mark adds that she broke or crushed the vessel in order to pour out the ointment; St. John, that she anointed His feet, and wiped them with her hair. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/26.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 7. - A woman. St. John identifies her as Mary the sister of Lazarus and Martha. Why the synoptists omit her name is not known; it is equally uncertain why St. John makes no mention of Simon. None of the synoptists notice Lazarus, though St. Luke names Martha and Mary (<a href="/luke/10-38.htm">Luke 10:38, 39</a>). It may have been at the time a matter of prudence or delicacy not to draw attention to them by name. But there is no discrepancy. One narrative supplements the other, and it is best to be thankful for what we have, and not to be over curious concerning points not explained. An alabaster box (ἀλάβαστρον). A cruse or flask made of alabaster, which is a white calcareous spar resembling marble, but setter and more easily worked. These cruses were generally round shaped, with a long narrow neck, the orifice of which was sealed. It may be the breaking of this seal to which St. Mark refers in his account (<a href="/mark/14-3.htm">Mark 14:3</a>), when he says that "she brake the box." Very precious ointment (μύρου). St. Mark calls it "pistic nard," rendered in our version "spikenard." The word in our text seems to be used for any salve or ointment which contained myrrh as one of its ingredients. Nard is found in Syria, the Himalayas, and other parts of India. From its root a strong scented unguent was made, which, being imported from a long distance, was very costly. Poured it on his head. It is to be noted that in the original there is no "it" after "poured;" so there is nothing to imply that the whole was poured upon his head. This helps to reconcile this account with that of the fourth evangelist (Morison). St. John tells that she anointed his feet, which was unusual; she first anointed his head, and then his feet, wiping the latter with her long flowing hair. Anointing the head was not an uncommon way of honouring distinguished guests; but Mary had another thought in her mind which the Lord discerned (ver. 12). As he sat at meat; as he reclined at table. The Jews had adopted the Roman mode of eating (comp. <a href="/matthew/22-10.htm">Matthew 22:10</a>, where the word rendered "guests" is "the recumbent"). St. Matthew does not mention that a special supper was arranged for him (<a href="/john/12-1.htm">John 12:1</a>), as if to do him honour. <a href="/commentaries/matthew/26-7.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>a woman γυνὴ (gynē) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1135.htm">Strong's 1135: </a> A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife. came προσῆλθεν (prosēlthen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4334.htm">Strong's 4334: </a> From pros and erchomai; to approach, i.e. come near, visit, or worship, assent to. to Him αὐτῷ (autō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. with ἔχουσα (echousa) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. an alabaster jar ἀλάβαστρον (alabastron) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_211.htm">Strong's 211: </a> Neuter of alabastros, the name of a stone; properly, an 'alabaster' box, i.e. a perfume vase. of expensive βαρυτίμου (barytimou) Adjective - Genitive Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_927.htm">Strong's 927: </a> Of great price. From barus and time; highly valuable. perfume, μύρου (myrou) Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3464.htm">Strong's 3464: </a> Anointing-oil, ointment. Probably of foreign origin; 'myrrh', i.e. perfumed oil. which she poured κατέχεεν (katecheen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2708.htm">Strong's 2708: </a> To pour (down) upon. From kata and cheo; to pour down. on ἐπὶ (epi) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1909.htm">Strong's 1909: </a> On, to, against, on the basis of, at. His αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. head κεφαλῆς (kephalēs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2776.htm">Strong's 2776: </a> From the primary kapto; the head, literally or figuratively. as He reclined at the table. ἀνακειμένου (anakeimenou) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_345.htm">Strong's 345: </a> To recline, especially at a dinner-table. From ana and keimai; to recline. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/26-7.htm">Matthew 26:7 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/26-7.htm">Matthew 26:7 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/26-7.htm">Matthew 26:7 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/26-7.htm">Matthew 26:7 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/26-7.htm">Matthew 26:7 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/26-7.htm">Matthew 26:7 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/26-7.htm">Matthew 26:7 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/26-7.htm">Matthew 26:7 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/26-7.htm">Matthew 26:7 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/26-7.htm">Matthew 26:7 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/26-7.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 26:7 A woman came to him having (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/26-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 26:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 26:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/26-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 26:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 26:8" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>