Jesus saw her actions came from her faith and declared her sins forgiven. Jesus pointed out that while Simon had not performed the most basic traditions of hospitality, this woman openly showed her devotion and gratefulness by cleaning Jesus' feet with her tears and hair and pouring ointment on His feet. Simon was horrified that Jesus let 'a woman of the city, who was a sinner' (Luke 7:37) touch Him. Certainly, the disciples are stubborn enough that it's believable Jesus would scold them for the same thing twice in one week (John 12:7 Mark 14:6).Įarlier in Jesus' ministry, a different woman anointed Jesus as He visited with a Pharisee named Simon (Luke 7:36–50). Some scholars think these stories are of the same event, but there are enough narrative differences to justify separating them. Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, Why this waste of perfume It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor. Alabaster Jars is a non-profit organization formed in 2018 to raise prayer and partners so that we can provide training, equipping, and projects that open doors. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. She, perhaps knowingly, identified Jesus as the ultimate Passover sacrifice. While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the alabaster jar you’re looking for. Then, Mary of Bethany anointed Jesus' feet with nard and cleaned them with her hair. John mentions a very similar event dated four days earlier (John 12:1–8). This perfume may have served the same purpose. In cultures where women are not allowed to own property or money, they accumulate clothing and jewelry as investments.

Mark 14:5 notes that it is worth about a year's wages of a day laborer.

The perfume nard comes from a plant found in the Himalayas of Nepal, China, and India. When the woman 'breaks' the flask, that most likely means she breaks the seal on the lid. No other information is given about Simon the leper if he truly had leprosy, it was undoubtedly healed by this point.Īlabaster is a type of gypsum, a soft, white, translucent stone often used for sculptures. On the night before the Last Supper, Jesus has dinner with friends. Bethany, where Mary, Martha, and Lazarus live, sits on the eastern slope of the mountain, about two miles from the temple.

All this week, Jesus has preached at the temple during the day and spent nights on the Mount of Olives (Luke 21:37).

Alabaster jar