MATTHEW 26:06-13
THE ANOINTING AT BETHANY
BRIEF INTERPRETATION
Text – Matthew 26:6–13
6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper,
7 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.
8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant and said, “Why this waste?
9 It could have been sold for much, and the money given to the poor.”
10 Since Jesus knew this, he said to them, “Why do you make trouble for the woman? She has done a good thing for me.
11 The poor you will always have with you; but you will not always have me.
12 In pouring this perfumed oil upon my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.
13 Amen, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be spoken of, in memory of her.”
Historical and Jewish Context
Bethany, a village near Jerusalem, was a place where Jesus often found friendship and hospitality, particularly in the home of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. The host, Simon the leper, was likely a man healed by Jesus, whose home became a gathering place for disciples and followers. The woman’s act of anointing Jesus with costly oil recalls ancient Jewish customs of anointing kings, priests, and the dead. In this context, it foreshadows both His royal dignity and His approaching death. The disciples’ reaction reflects a common Jewish sensitivity toward almsgiving, especially during Passover. However, they failed to grasp the deeper meaning of her prophetic act.
Catholic Theological Perspective
The Church interprets the woman’s anointing as a profound expression of love, faith, and prophetic insight. Her costly gesture signifies total devotion to Christ—offering the best she had in preparation for His Passion and burial. Jesus’ response affirms the eternal value of self-giving love over utilitarian calculations. His statement, “The poor you will always have with you,” does not diminish the duty of charity but highlights the uniqueness of this moment in salvation history. The woman recognized what others did not—that the time of His suffering was near. Her act anticipates the Church’s later veneration of Christ’s body and the reverence shown in the anointing at His burial.
Parallels in Scripture
Luke 7:36–50: A sinful woman anoints Jesus’ feet and receives forgiveness.
John 12:1–8: Mary of Bethany anoints Jesus’ feet, wiping them with her hair.
Psalm 23:5: “You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”
Mark 14:3–9: The parallel account of the anointing at Bethany.
John 19:39–40: Nicodemus brings spices to anoint Jesus’ body after His death.
Key Terms
Alabaster jar: A vessel used for preserving precious perfumes, symbolizing both value and permanence.
Perfumed oil: A sign of honor, consecration, and love; here it prefigures the anointing of Christ’s body for burial.
Bethany: “House of affliction,” a fitting setting for this act that anticipates Jesus’ Passion.
Good thing: In biblical language, an act of moral beauty and love that pleases God.
Catholic Liturgical Significance
This episode is commemorated during Holy Week as a prelude to the Passion. It embodies the essence of Christian discipleship—loving devotion to Christ that expresses itself in generous self-giving. In the liturgy, it echoes the offering of Christ Himself in the Eucharist, where love transcends calculation. The Church venerates this unnamed woman as a model of faith and gratitude, whose memory lives wherever the Gospel is proclaimed.
Conclusion
The anointing at Bethany reveals the contrast between worldly calculation and spiritual understanding. While others saw waste, Jesus saw love. The woman’s act, rich in symbolism, unites worship and sacrifice—offering her treasure for the One who would soon offer His life for all. Her story endures as a timeless example of pure devotion and as a prelude to the anointing of Christ’s body in the tomb.
Reflection
Do I give to Christ only what is convenient, or do I offer Him my best? True love does not count the cost. The woman’s act invites me to serve the Lord with total generosity and to recognize the sacredness of every opportunity to love Him in word and deed.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You accepted the loving offering of the woman at Bethany as preparation for Your Passion. Teach me to offer You my heart with pure love and gratitude. May my life, like hers, proclaim Your glory and be a living act of worship. Amen.
DETAILED INTERPRETATION
INTRODUCTION
The anointing at Bethany (Matthew 26:6–13) stands as one of the most beautiful and tender scenes in the Gospel, contrasting the darkness of betrayal with the radiant light of love. As Jesus approaches His Passion, a woman—moved by deep faith and devotion—anoints Him with costly perfume, performing an act of worship that transcends custom and calculation. While the religious leaders conspire to kill Him, and even some disciples misunderstand His mission, this unnamed woman recognizes what others do not: that Jesus is the true King and the Lamb who will soon be offered in sacrifice. Her gesture, extravagant in material cost but priceless in meaning, becomes a prophetic act anticipating His death and burial. In her silence and humility, she expresses a love purer than words, and Jesus declares that her deed will be remembered wherever the Gospel is preached.
This passage invites readers to contemplate the difference between external religion and heartfelt devotion. The woman’s offering is not practical—it is personal, born from love and gratitude that measure nothing by earthly standards. Her act prefigures the self-giving love of Christ on the cross, where He will pour out His life as a fragrant offering to the Father. In contrast, the murmuring of those who criticize her reveals how easily even the faithful can miss the heart of worship when focused on appearances or economy. Through this scene, Matthew presents a foreshadowing of the Passion in miniature: love misunderstood, sacrifice offered, and glory hidden in humility. It challenges every believer to ask—how do I honor Christ in my life? With measured restraint, or with wholehearted love that holds nothing back?
Matthew 26:6 “Now when Jesus was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper,”
This verse sets the stage for one of the most profound and intimate moments before the Passion of Christ—the anointing at Bethany. The setting, simple yet symbolic, is the home of Simon the leper, a man likely healed by Jesus, whose hospitality now becomes the backdrop of divine revelation. The presence of Jesus in a leper’s house already breaks social barriers, showing that the Lord finds His dwelling not among the powerful but among those once excluded. Bethany, a small village near the Mount of Olives, was a place of refuge and friendship for Jesus; it was the home of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, and often served as a resting place for Him before His final journey to Jerusalem. Here, in a moment of peace amid gathering hostility, an unnamed woman will offer a gesture of love so pure and prophetic that it will echo through the ages.
Historical and Jewish Context
Bethany lay just outside Jerusalem, about two miles east of the city, across the Kidron Valley. It was a place of hospitality and devotion, contrasting sharply with the growing hostility in Jerusalem. The mention of Simon the leper identifies a man once afflicted with a condition that rendered him ritually unclean and socially isolated. His hosting of Jesus signifies healing—physical and spiritual—possibly granted by Christ Himself. Leprosy was not merely a disease in Jewish society but a symbol of exclusion; to enter a leper’s home would have been unthinkable for a rabbi. Yet Jesus’ presence there reveals His redemptive mission—to restore the outcast, to sanctify what was considered defiled, and to turn a house of suffering into a place of grace.
Catholic Theological Perspective
From a Catholic perspective, this verse reflects the incarnate mercy of Christ. The Lord, who is holiness itself, enters the home of a man once unclean to make it a dwelling of divine love. The Catechism reminds us that “Jesus touched the sick and healed their illnesses, thus manifesting God’s kingdom already present in Him” (CCC 1503). The scene also prefigures the Eucharist, where Christ continues to enter the unworthy hearts of believers, transforming them into living temples of grace. By beginning the anointing narrative in a leper’s house, Matthew invites reflection on the paradox of divine holiness—God draws near not to the perfect, but to the penitent and the healed. This verse, therefore, frames the coming anointing as an act of love born from gratitude, offered in a place once marked by pain but now radiant with redemption.
Parallels in Scripture
Key Terms
Catholic Liturgical Significance
This verse anticipates the Holy Week liturgies, particularly the Chrism Mass and the celebration of Holy Thursday. It recalls the moment when love and healing meet—the anointed Christ receiving an act of devotion before His Passion. The setting in Bethany, once a house of uncleanness, becomes a type of the Church, where forgiven sinners gather to honor their Savior. In the Eucharistic liturgy, Christ still comes into “the house of sinners,” transforming it into a sanctuary of divine mercy.
Conclusion
Matthew 26:6 is not a mere introduction to a scene but a revelation of divine tenderness. The leper’s house becomes the threshold of the Passion, where gratitude meets grace. Jesus’ presence sanctifies the forgotten and prepares the way for an act of worship that foreshadows His burial and resurrection. The verse reminds us that Christ does not seek perfection before entering a life—He enters to make it whole. The home of Simon becomes every soul redeemed by mercy, where the Lord comes to dwell in love and peace.
Reflection
Am I willing to let Jesus enter the “unclean” places of my heart to heal and transform them?
Do I welcome Him into my life with gratitude like Simon, recognizing what He has restored in me?
How can my home and my heart become a dwelling place for Christ’s mercy?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You entered the home of Simon the leper and turned his house into a place of grace. Come into my heart, cleanse me of my unworthiness, and make me a dwelling of Your love. Teach me to welcome You with gratitude and to honor You with a pure and generous heart. May my life become a living witness to Your healing presence and boundless mercy. Amen.
Matthew 26:7 “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.”
This verse unfolds one of the most touching acts of devotion in all the Gospels—a woman’s silent yet eloquent expression of love and faith toward Jesus. Without speaking a word, she performs a prophetic act that anticipates His Passion and burial. Her gesture is intimate and bold: approaching Jesus in a public setting, breaking social convention, and pouring costly perfume on His head as He reclines at table. In the ancient Near East, anointing the head was a sign of honor and consecration, often reserved for kings or priests. Here, however, the anointing becomes a sacred symbol of love that prefigures His coming death. While others speak or calculate, this woman acts from the heart, recognizing in Jesus the Messiah—the Anointed One—whose body will soon be offered for the salvation of the world.
Historical and Jewish Context
The “alabaster jar” mentioned here was a small vessel made of translucent stone, designed to preserve the fragrance of precious oil. The perfume was likely spikenard, imported from the Himalayas and extremely expensive—worth nearly a year’s wages (cf. John 12:3–5). To break open such a vessel was an act of total self-giving; once opened, it could not be resealed. In Jewish custom, anointing had multiple meanings: for kingship (as with David in 1 Samuel 16:13), for hospitality and respect (Psalm 23:5), and for burial preparation (Mark 16:1). By anointing Jesus’ head, the woman symbolically acknowledges Him as both King and sacrifice. Her action takes place during a meal—a setting of fellowship—foreshadowing the Eucharist, where Jesus will again offer Himself in love. Her silent worship contrasts sharply with the plotting priests nearby, highlighting the spiritual depth of faith that perceives what intellect alone cannot.
Catholic Theological Perspective
From a Catholic viewpoint, this act of anointing represents the union of contemplation and action—the perfect expression of love flowing from faith. The woman’s act prefigures the Church’s devotion to Christ in every age: worship that is lavish, sincere, and without reservation. The Catechism teaches, “The anointing with perfumed oil signifies the gift of the Holy Spirit to the Christian” (CCC 695). Thus, her perfume becomes a symbol of the Spirit’s fragrance—the grace of love poured out in abundance. St. Gregory the Great interprets this moment as a sign of the soul that pours itself out entirely for Christ, holding nothing back. The pouring of the oil upon His head foreshadows the consecration of His body for sacrifice, while her silent offering foreshadows the loving adoration of the faithful gathered around the altar. In every Mass, this act is mystically renewed as Christ, the Anointed One, offers Himself completely to the Father—and calls us to do the same.
Parallels in Scripture
Key Terms
Catholic Liturgical Significance
This verse resonates deeply within Holy Week liturgies, especially during the Chrism Mass, where sacred oils are blessed and consecrated. It reflects the lavish love of the believer who offers the best to Christ, and it prefigures His burial anointing on Good Friday. The woman’s action also finds echo in the Church’s sacraments—Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders, and the Anointing of the Sick—all of which use holy oil as a sign of God’s grace. Her act of devotion becomes a living image of the soul anointed by the Spirit, offering its fragrance of holiness to the world.
Conclusion
Matthew 26:7 reveals the essence of true discipleship—love expressed in generous, sacrificial worship. The woman’s offering of costly perfume contrasts the greed of Judas and the calculation of the priests. Her act becomes the Gospel in action: love poured out, beauty broken open, grace made visible. She teaches that love is not measured by cost but by the heart’s willingness to give all. Her silent devotion proclaims what words cannot—that Jesus is worthy of everything we have and are. In this moment, she anoints not only His head but the path of all who would follow Him in love.
Reflection
Do I give to Christ only what is convenient, or do I offer Him the best of my time, love, and devotion?
Am I willing to be misunderstood in my acts of faith as this woman was?
What precious “alabaster jar” in my life am I called to break open for the Lord?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You received the loving anointing of a woman who poured out her heart before You. Teach me to love You without measure, to offer what is most precious to me in thanksgiving and faith. Let my life become a fragrance of praise, a living sacrifice pleasing to You. May my love, like hers, be silent yet strong, humble yet wholehearted. Amen.
Matthew 26:8 “When the disciples saw this, they were indignant and said, ‘Why this waste?’”
In sharp contrast to the woman’s act of love, the disciples’ reaction exposes a moment of spiritual blindness. They see generosity as waste, devotion as excess, and beauty as impractical. Their indignation—perhaps voiced most strongly by Judas (cf. John 12:4–6)—reveals how easily even followers of Jesus can misunderstand true worship. What they perceive as extravagance, Jesus will interpret as an offering of love preparing Him for burial. The tension in this verse highlights a recurring Gospel theme: the clash between utilitarian thinking and the logic of divine love. The disciples measure in terms of material value; the woman measures in terms of eternal worth. Her silence speaks louder than their criticism—what they call waste, heaven calls worship.
Historical and Jewish Context
In Jewish custom, it was considered virtuous to sell valuable possessions to help the poor (cf. Deuteronomy 15:7–11). The disciples’ protest might have seemed reasonable within that framework. However, their response shows a failure to discern the moment’s spiritual significance. The anointing took place in the shadow of Jesus’ impending Passion—a time when love, not logic, was the truest response. Their indignation mirrors that of those who valued religious duty over heartfelt faith. In the ancient world, perfume was not merely luxury—it symbolized honor, healing, and consecration. To pour it on Jesus was not wasteful but profoundly prophetic, marking Him as the suffering Messiah soon to be offered like incense before the Father.
Catholic Theological Perspective
From a Catholic standpoint, this verse contrasts two ways of relating to God: calculation and contemplation. The disciples’ complaint represents the temptation to reduce religion to efficiency, while the woman embodies the lavish love of adoration. The Church, in her worship, echoes the woman’s gesture whenever she offers her best—beauty, art, music, incense, and reverence—to honor Christ. The Catechism teaches, “Nothing is too good for the Lord, who gives Himself entirely to us” (CCC 2096). The objection “Why this waste?” has echoed through history whenever the Church adorns her worship with beauty or dedicates resources to sacred spaces. Yet as St. John Paul II reminded the faithful, beauty in worship is not waste—it is the language of love offered to the God of infinite generosity. The woman’s act, therefore, becomes the model of liturgical devotion: costly love poured out for the One who poured Himself out completely on the Cross.
Parallels in Scripture
Key Terms
Catholic Liturgical Significance
This verse finds resonance in Catholic liturgy whenever acts of devotion are misunderstood or undervalued. The Church, like the woman, continues to pour out her treasures—sacred vessels, vestments, and the beauty of worship—not as luxury, but as expressions of love for Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist. Every act of reverence, from genuflection to incense, reflects her conviction that nothing offered to the Lord is ever wasted. The disciples’ question challenges believers to purify their intentions: to see charity and worship not as rivals but as inseparable expressions of love for God and neighbor.
Conclusion
Matthew 26:8 exposes how even sincere disciples can misread the language of love. Their indignation shows the limits of reason without reverence. The woman gives from the heart; they calculate with the head. Yet Jesus will soon reveal that her act of “waste” is, in truth, an act of worship more precious than any efficiency. God’s economy is not measured by preservation but by self-giving love. The scene reminds us that faith without devotion becomes hollow, and devotion without understanding becomes suspect—but love, pure and sacrificial, transcends both.
Reflection
Do I sometimes judge others’ expressions of faith as wasteful or excessive?
Do I measure my giving to God by cost or by love?
Am I willing to pour out my time, talent, and treasure for Christ, trusting that nothing given in love is ever lost?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, teach me to value what truly matters—to see beauty where the world sees waste. Free me from the spirit of calculation that limits love. May I offer You my best in worship and in service, knowing that You never waste the gifts offered from a sincere heart. Let my devotion, like the woman’s, be a fragrance pleasing to You, rising as a pure offering of love. Amen.
Matthew 26:9 “It could have been sold for much, and the money given to the poor.”
This statement, voiced by some of the disciples and recorded most clearly in John’s Gospel as coming from Judas, appears rational and even charitable on the surface. The reasoning seems practical: if the perfume was extremely valuable, why not sell it and use the proceeds for almsgiving? Yet beneath this seemingly noble concern lies a misunderstanding of the moment and, in Judas’ case, hypocrisy. The speaker treats the woman’s act of love as financial mismanagement rather than prophetic worship. What he fails to grasp is that love given to Christ is never wasted—it is the very source from which all true charity flows. The objection also reveals a spiritual tendency that persists through time: prioritizing external good works while neglecting interior devotion. The woman’s act was not opposed to charity—it was its highest expression, for it honored the Lord who would soon give His life for the poor and for all sinners.
Historical and Jewish Context
In Jewish tradition, almsgiving was considered a sacred duty (Tobit 4:7–11), deeply valued as an act of mercy pleasing to God. During major festivals, such as Passover, charitable giving to the poor was especially encouraged. Thus, the disciples’ argument might have appeared morally correct in their cultural context. However, they failed to discern the spiritual significance of the woman’s timing and action. The Passover was approaching, and Jesus—the true Paschal Lamb—was about to be offered. Her anointing was not an alternative to charity but a prelude to redemption itself. Furthermore, by identifying this perfume as a “costly” one, Matthew emphasizes that it symbolized the totality of self-giving love. The poor would indeed always be present, but the unique moment to honor the Savior before His sacrifice would pass only once. The woman recognized this, while the disciples—concerned with doing—missed the deeper call to being in love with Christ.
Catholic Theological Perspective
In Catholic theology, this verse illustrates the harmony—not the opposition—between worship and works of mercy. The Church teaches that love of neighbor flows from love of God and that both are inseparable (CCC 1822–1829). The woman’s act was a liturgy of the heart—a prophetic sign of Christ’s death and the foundation of all future acts of charity. Judas, however, represents the distortion of charity divorced from divine love: good works done without faith or humility become empty. The Catechism warns, “Without charity, even the most generous acts profit us nothing” (CCC 1827). Her perfume, poured upon Christ, anticipates the offering of His blood poured out for the salvation of the poor in spirit. In this sense, her devotion is the wellspring of Christian service—adoration that becomes compassion. The true disciple learns that service to the poor and worship of Christ are not rivals but reflections of one reality: divine love active in the world.
Parallels in Scripture
Key Terms
Catholic Liturgical Significance
This verse resonates during Holy Week, when the Church contemplates the balance between adoration and action. In the liturgy, the faithful are reminded that service to the poor is born from communion with Christ in the Eucharist. The woman’s offering represents the contemplative heart of worship, while the disciples’ concern recalls the active call to serve. Both find their fulfillment in the Mass, where love of God and neighbor unite perfectly in Christ’s sacrifice. In her anointing, the Church sees the image of her own vocation: to worship with love and to serve with compassion, both animated by the same Spirit.
Conclusion
Matthew 26:9 reminds us that even good intentions can conceal spiritual blindness when detached from love. The disciples’ logic sounded charitable, yet they failed to perceive the sacredness of the moment. True discipleship recognizes that devotion to Christ is the source of all authentic service to others. Love must begin at His feet before it can reach the poor. The woman’s act teaches that the most effective charity flows from adoration—because when the heart is filled with Christ, it naturally overflows to others. Her perfume, poured in worship, becomes the fragrance of mercy that continues through the Church’s mission to the world.
Reflection
Do I ever place practical concerns above the call to love and worship Christ first?
Do my acts of charity flow from prayer and intimacy with God, or are they motivated by duty or pride?
How can I better unite my devotion to Christ with compassion for His poor?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, teach me to love You first, so that my love for others may be true and pure. Deliver me from the spirit of calculation that measures value by cost instead of by love. May my worship and my service become one fragrance before You—the perfume of a heart poured out for Your glory and for the good of others. Amen.
Matthew 26:10 “Since Jesus knew this, He said to them, ‘Why do you make trouble for the woman? She has done a good thing for Me.’”
Jesus, perceiving both the thoughts and the murmuring of His disciples, immediately intervenes to defend the woman. His response reveals divine insight and compassion: while others criticize, He commends. The phrase “Why do you make trouble for the woman?” expresses not mere correction but protection—Jesus shields her from shame and elevates her act to sacred significance. He calls her gesture a “good thing” (kalon ergon in Greek), meaning not just morally good but beautiful, noble, and fitting. In the eyes of men, her act seemed impractical and wasteful; in the eyes of Christ, it was perfect worship. With this statement, Jesus reverses human judgment and reveals God’s perspective: what is done in love, however small or misunderstood, becomes eternally valuable.
Historical and Jewish Context
In the cultural setting of the time, women were often dismissed or disregarded in religious discussions. For Jesus to publicly defend a woman in the presence of male disciples was both radical and affirming of her dignity. The expression “to make trouble” literally means “to cause distress” or “to wound.” Thus, Jesus not only stops their criticism but exposes its cruelty—those who should have encouraged her devotion had instead discouraged her love. By calling her act “good,” Jesus uses a term that recalls the language of creation—when God saw all that He made and called it “good” (Genesis 1:31). Her love thus participates in divine goodness; it restores beauty where the world sees folly. The act’s goodness lies not in its material value but in its intention: it springs from a pure heart that recognizes Jesus’ identity and impending suffering.
Catholic Theological Perspective
From a Catholic viewpoint, this verse embodies the essence of Christian worship—love expressed in action, defended by Christ, and elevated to eternal significance. Jesus’ defense of the woman reflects the Church’s defense of acts of genuine piety and devotion that may appear excessive to the world but are pleasing to God. The Catechism teaches, “In the sacramental economy, God uses visible signs to give us His invisible grace” (CCC 1084). The woman’s anointing is precisely such a visible sign of invisible love. Her “good thing” prefigures the good work of the Church in every age—worship that combines beauty, sacrifice, and sincerity. This verse also reveals the mercy of Christ, who sees beyond appearances and measures the heart. It challenges every believer to ask not, “Is it useful?” but, “Is it loving?”
Parallels in Scripture
Key Terms
Catholic Liturgical Significance
This verse finds resonance in Catholic worship, especially in the veneration of sacred actions and offerings that express love for God. Acts such as the use of incense, art, or music in the liturgy echo the woman’s beautiful offering—acts that may appear “wasteful” to some but express the Church’s love for her Lord. Her “good work” prefigures the works of mercy and charity that flow from Eucharistic devotion. Jesus’ words remind the faithful that the beauty of holiness is never to be despised, for God delights in hearts that love extravagantly. The Church continues to honor those who, like the woman, give their best for Christ, even when misunderstood by others.
Conclusion
Matthew 26:10 reveals Jesus as the defender of true devotion and the interpreter of divine value. Where the world sees waste, He sees worship; where others criticize, He blesses. Her act, born of love, becomes a mirror of the Gospel itself—an offering that anticipates His own sacrifice. Through His affirmation, Jesus teaches that faith is not measured by practicality but by love’s purity. Every act of sincere devotion, no matter how small, is seen and treasured by God. The woman’s anointing reminds us that beauty offered to Christ is never forgotten—it lives on as the fragrance of love in the memory of heaven.
Reflection
Do I value beauty and devotion in my faith, or do I dismiss them as unnecessary?
When I see others expressing love for Christ, do I encourage them or criticize them?
Am I willing to defend acts of faith and love that honor Jesus even when misunderstood?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You saw the goodness of the woman’s heart when others saw waste. Teach me to recognize true beauty in acts of faith and to value love above all. Defend me when my devotion is misunderstood, and make my life a beautiful offering to You. May every work I do flow from a heart filled with gratitude and be found pleasing in Your sight. Amen.
Matthew 26:11 “The poor you will always have with you; but you will not always have Me.”
With this statement, Jesus neither dismisses concern for the poor nor downplays the importance of charity. Instead, He places the woman’s act in its proper spiritual context. His words remind the disciples that while service to the poor is a lifelong duty, this particular moment—His impending Passion and death—is unique and sacred. “You will not always have Me” reveals both the tenderness and urgency of the hour: the earthly presence of Christ among them is nearing its end. The woman has recognized this and acted with love, giving while there was still time. Jesus thus teaches that worship and compassion are not in conflict; rather, adoration of the Lord gives meaning and power to every act of service. The poor will always be present as opportunities for mercy, but the act of loving the Savior before His sacrifice is an act of prophetic insight and devotion that transcends time.
Historical and Jewish Context
Jesus’ words echo Deuteronomy 15:11: “The poor will never cease out of the land; therefore I command you to open your hand to your brother.” The statement was not resignation but recognition of a permanent moral obligation. In Jewish tradition, almsgiving was considered a sacred responsibility tied to covenant fidelity. Yet, Jesus here shifts the focus from an ongoing social duty to a singular divine moment. As the true Lamb of God, He is preparing to offer Himself for both rich and poor alike. The woman’s act, therefore, is not an alternative to helping the poor but a prophetic honoring of the One through whom salvation—and ultimate justice—will come. Her love anticipates the cross, the greatest act of mercy in history. The disciples’ failure to perceive this reveals how easily even good intentions can obscure divine timing.
Catholic Theological Perspective
In Catholic theology, this verse affirms the dual vocation of the Christian life: to adore Christ and to serve the poor. The Church teaches that the two are inseparable but hierarchical—adoration precedes action. Jesus’ words invite balance: one must first love God wholly to love others rightly. The Catechism teaches, “The Eucharist commits us to the poor. To receive in truth the Body and Blood of Christ given up for us means to recognize Christ in the poorest” (CCC 1397). The woman’s act at Bethany symbolizes the Eucharistic life of the Church—adoration that overflows into charity. Her offering was not an evasion of social duty but the source of it, for worship of the crucified Christ becomes the wellspring of all compassion. To “always have the poor” is to always have opportunities to love Christ in disguise, while to “not always have Me” recalls the unique grace of encountering Him in moments of sacred presence.
Parallels in Scripture
Key Terms
Catholic Liturgical Significance
This verse finds a profound echo in the Holy Week liturgy, particularly on Holy Thursday. As the Church commemorates the anointing of Christ before His Passion, she also remembers the commandment of love—the call to serve others in imitation of Him. In the Eucharist, the faithful “have” Christ truly present, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. Yet outside the liturgy, they encounter Him mystically in the poor and suffering. The Church continues to live in this dual awareness: adoring Christ in the sanctuary and serving Him in the streets. The woman’s action at Bethany thus prefigures the priestly mission of the Church—to worship, to love, and to serve.
Conclusion
Matthew 26:11 is not a dismissal of social concern but a revelation of divine perspective. Jesus reminds His followers that all charity must flow from adoration, for only love rooted in Him bears eternal fruit. The woman’s act is a model of timely love—recognizing the sacred moment to honor the Lord before the shadow of the cross. Her insight contrasts with the disciples’ distraction. Through her, Jesus teaches that faith perceives what logic cannot: that the worship of God is the soul of mercy, and mercy is the fruit of worship. To love the poor rightly, one must first recognize Christ’s presence in their midst.
Reflection
Do I sometimes prioritize action over adoration, forgetting that service begins in worship?
How do I honor Christ’s presence in my life—both in prayer and in the faces of the poor?
Am I aware of the sacred moments God places before me to show Him love?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You remind me that love for You and love for the poor are one and the same. Teach me to recognize You in both the altar and the street, in the Eucharist and in the suffering. May my acts of service flow from a heart filled with adoration, and may I never miss the sacred opportunities to honor You in my midst. Amen.
Matthew 26:12 “In pouring this perfumed oil upon My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial.”
With these solemn words, Jesus reveals the prophetic meaning hidden in the woman’s act. What others saw as a gesture of affection or extravagance, He interprets as preparation for His death and burial. The perfume, poured lovingly upon His body, becomes a symbol of anointing for the sacrifice that is about to unfold. In Jewish tradition, bodies were anointed with aromatic oils before burial as a sign of honor and reverence. Yet, in this moment, Jesus is not yet dead—the woman’s action anticipates the coming sorrow and transforms it into an act of worship. Her faith penetrates the mystery of redemption more deeply than the disciples’ understanding. Without words, she performs a silent liturgy, proclaiming Christ’s kingship and His imminent offering for the salvation of the world.
Historical and Jewish Context
Anointing with perfume held deep significance in Jewish culture. It was a sign of consecration for priests and kings (cf. Exodus 30:22–33; 1 Samuel 16:13), and also an act of love and respect toward the dead (Mark 16:1). In Bethany, the woman’s anointing merges both meanings—Jesus is the Anointed One (the Messiah) and the Suffering Servant who will die for humanity. While the disciples failed to grasp the nearness of His Passion, she intuitively responds to the divine plan. The fragrance that fills the house (John 12:3) symbolizes the permeating grace of Christ’s sacrifice, spreading from Bethany to the whole world. Her act thus foreshadows the women at the tomb who come later with spices to anoint His body (Mark 16:1), only to find that He has already risen. Through her prophetic gesture, the woman proclaims the victory of love over death even before the cross is raised.
Catholic Theological Perspective
From a Catholic theological perspective, this verse unveils the mystery of the Paschal preparation—the transition from Christ’s earthly ministry to His redemptive sacrifice. The woman’s action becomes a sacramental sign, a visible expression of invisible grace. As the Church Fathers observed, she performs what the disciples would not: she ministers to Christ in anticipation of His suffering. Her act mirrors the Church’s liturgy, which continually prepares and honors the Body of Christ—first in His humanity and now in the Eucharist. The Catechism teaches, “The liturgy is the participation of the People of God in the work of God” (CCC 1069). The woman participates in the mystery of salvation through love and foresight. Her perfume becomes an offering that prefigures the holy oils of the Church—the Chrism, the Oil of Catechumens, and the Oil of the Sick—all of which flow from Christ’s redemptive death. Thus, she represents the contemplative soul that understands the cost of love and responds with total self-gift.
Parallels in Scripture
Key Terms
Catholic Liturgical Significance
This verse profoundly influences Holy Week liturgy. The anointing at Bethany prefigures both the burial of Jesus and the consecration of the Church’s sacraments. On Holy Thursday, when the holy oils are blessed, the Church recalls this moment of love and preparation. In the Eucharist, believers continually participate in this mystery—adoring the Body that was anointed for sacrifice and now glorified in resurrection. The Church, like the woman, tends to the Body of Christ with reverence—both in the sacraments and in acts of mercy to the suffering. Her act teaches that every gesture of faith, however simple, becomes a participation in Christ’s redemptive offering.
Conclusion
Matthew 26:12 unveils the mystery of faith that sees beyond the surface of things. The woman’s anointing is more than a kind gesture—it is a prophetic act of love that honors Christ’s Passion before it happens. She does for Jesus what the disciples could not, expressing devotion that unites worship and sacrifice. Her hands, pouring perfume, become the first to touch the Victim of love. This verse calls every believer to anticipate Christ’s presence in suffering and to offer their best in gratitude and reverence. Her act reminds us that true discipleship recognizes the cross not as defeat but as the fragrance of salvation.
Reflection
Do I approach Christ with reverence and foresight, offering my best in love before trials arise?
How can I, like the woman, prepare the way for Christ’s presence in my life and community?
Do I see in the Eucharist the living Body once anointed for burial and now glorified for my redemption?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You accepted the woman’s offering as a sign of love and faith before Your Passion. Teach me to offer my heart as a fragrant sacrifice to You. May my prayers, my service, and my sorrows be united with Yours, preparing my soul to share in Your death and resurrection. Let my life be a perfume of love that honors You now and forever. Amen.
Matthew 26:13 “Amen, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be spoken of, in memory of her.”
With these words, Jesus seals the woman’s act with eternal honor. Her silent offering becomes immortalized within the proclamation of the Gospel itself. While the disciples argued, she loved; while others calculated, she worshiped—and for that, her name, though unspoken, would echo through all generations. Jesus declares that her act of love transcends time and geography, woven permanently into the fabric of salvation history. “In memory of her” recalls the divine remembrance found throughout Scripture—where God remembers His covenant and His faithful ones. Just as the Eucharist is celebrated “in memory of Me” (Luke 22:19), this woman’s deed is remembered as a human reflection of divine love—self-giving, costly, and pure. In honoring her, Jesus reveals that simple acts of love offered to God with a sincere heart are never forgotten but become part of the living Gospel that continues to transform the world.
Historical and Jewish Context
To have one’s name or act remembered in Jewish culture was considered the highest form of blessing. In a world where women’s deeds were often overlooked, Jesus breaks convention by ensuring this woman’s faith will never be forgotten. The phrase “in memory of her” (eis mnēmosynon autēs) carries the same sacred tone used for offerings made before God (cf. Leviticus 2:2, Acts 10:4). Her act becomes a “memorial offering,” rising like incense before the Lord. It is significant that Jesus connects her memory to the spread of the Gospel “throughout the world.” The love she expressed in one small home in Bethany becomes a universal symbol of discipleship. The same Gospel that announces His Passion will carry her story to every nation, showing that love is the truest form of evangelization. Her fragrance will travel farther than any oil—through the hearts of believers who imitate her devotion.
Catholic Theological Perspective
From a Catholic perspective, this verse affirms the eternal value of love united with Christ. Just as the Eucharist is celebrated “in memory” of Jesus, the woman’s act stands as a reflection of that divine memorial—the offering of self in love. The Catechism teaches, “Love endures everything and will never pass away” (CCC 1825). Her act, inspired by grace, becomes a participation in the eternal worship of heaven. Jesus’ promise that her deed will be remembered in the Gospel reveals that true worship and sacrifice never perish; they are recorded in God’s heart. The Church, in her veneration of saints and martyrs, continues this divine remembrance—honoring not human achievement but faith-filled love. This woman, unnamed and unheralded, becomes the forerunner of all who pour out their lives for Christ in hidden holiness. Her memory lives wherever the Gospel is preached because she embodied its essence: love without measure.
Parallels in Scripture
Key Terms
Catholic Liturgical Significance
In Catholic worship, this verse mirrors the heart of the Eucharist. Every Mass is celebrated “in memory” of Christ, and in that divine remembrance, all faithful acts of love are gathered and sanctified. The woman’s offering is remembered in the Church’s liturgy whenever beauty, devotion, and sacrifice are joined in worship. Her act reminds believers that what is done in love becomes eternal. It also finds expression in the Church’s veneration of saints—those whose hidden sacrifices continue to inspire and draw others to God. The anointing at Bethany thus prefigures the Church’s mission to keep alive the memory of love poured out for the sake of Christ and His Body.
Conclusion
Matthew 26:13 closes this scene with a radiant promise—love offered to Christ never dies. What began as a private act in a small home becomes part of the Gospel proclaimed to the world. Jesus assures that no act of love, however misunderstood or hidden, escapes divine remembrance. The woman’s anointing becomes the perfume of eternity, a testimony that worship offered in faith endures beyond time. Through her, Jesus teaches that the Gospel is not only proclaimed by words but also by lives poured out in love. The world may forget names and deeds, but God remembers every act born of love for His Son.
Reflection
Do I believe that my small acts of love and faith are remembered by God?
How can I live in such a way that my life becomes part of the Gospel’s fragrance in the world?
Am I willing to love Jesus with the same wholehearted devotion, even when others misunderstand?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You promised that this woman’s act of love would be remembered forever. Teach me to love You with the same pure heart and to offer my life as a living memorial to Your mercy. May all that I do, however small, become part of the fragrance of Your Gospel. Let my love, like hers, draw others to You and glorify Your name forever. Amen.
CONCLUSION
The anointing at Bethany (Matthew 26:6–13) reveals the beauty and power of love offered freely to Christ. In a world that measures worth by usefulness and faith by appearance, this woman stands as a timeless model of pure devotion. Her silent act becomes a sermon louder than words—a gesture of worship, gratitude, and prophetic insight. While others criticized her for waste, Jesus recognized the eternal value of her gift and proclaimed it a “beautiful thing.” In her, we see faith that listens more deeply than reason, love that acts when others hesitate, and courage that honors Christ even when misunderstood. Her perfume, poured upon the Lord, fills the Gospel with its fragrance, reminding all generations that true discipleship begins not with calculation but with adoration.
Spiritually, this passage unites worship and sacrifice in one sacred movement. The woman’s anointing prefigures Christ’s death and burial, showing that love always leads to the cross and resurrection. Her act transforms sorrow into beauty, preparing the way for the Passion that will redeem the world. In honoring her, Jesus teaches that every sincere act of faith, however small, becomes immortal when joined to His saving love. The house of Simon the leper becomes a sanctuary; the jar of perfume becomes a symbol of the Gospel; and the woman, though unnamed, becomes a saint remembered wherever the Good News is proclaimed. Through her, we learn that when we give everything to Christ, nothing is wasted—and love offered to God will echo forever in heaven.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, You accepted the woman’s offering at Bethany as a gift of love and faith before Your Passion. Teach me to offer You my best—my time, my talents, my heart—without counting the cost. Fill my soul with the fragrance of true worship, that my life may bring You glory and draw others to Your love. May every act I do, however hidden, be remembered in Your mercy and joined to the eternal offering of Your Cross. Amen.