At Simon the Leper’s House

Matthew 26:6–16
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)

A Frenchman who had lived in England for a number of years desired to become naturalized. He accordingly went to London, went through the necessary ceremony, and paid the customary fees. When he returned to his friends, one of them said, “Well, I suppose you are an Englishma … More

Understanding

During the final week of His life before the cross, the Lord spent the night in Bethany which was east of Jerusalem on the south side of the Mount of Olives. We find recorded here an event that took place one evening in the home of Simon the Leper (v. 6). Who he was we do not know, but certainly he was no longer a leper or he would not have been involved in such a social affair as this. Perhaps he was one whom Jesus had healed. This anointing took place on Saturday night, six days before the Passover.

While the guests were reclining at dinner Mary came in with a flask of expensive perfume and poured it on Jesus’ head and his feet and then wiped his feet with her hair (v. 7). It is said that this was worth 300 denarii which would have been about a year’s wages. Judas, who was treasurer of the group, immediately protested and said this was wasteful (v.8) (John 12:4). It seems that the other disciples followed his lead in scolding Mary. They said this perfume could have been sold and the proceeds given to the poor (v. 9). Jesus defended Mary by saying that the poor are always with us but He would not always be present (vv. 10-11).

Then Jesus made a startling statement. This was a moment when uncertainty and perhaps fear was beginning to grip the hearts of the disciples. If Jesus departed from them there was a great possibility that the movement He had launched might come to an abrupt halt (vv. 12-13). Now He declares that the good news will be preached to the whole world. What they were facing was not the end but only the beginning. Judas goes to the chief priests and settles on a price to turn Jesus in (vv. 14-16).

Application

I wonder what I would have said if I had been there when Mary poured this expensive perfume on Jesus? We need to remember that His ways are not always our ways.

Matthew 26:6-16 (English Standard Version)

Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, 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. And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste? For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor." But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her." Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?" And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.

View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway) »

Do you have any questions or thoughts about this?
Post your comment or question below.

*Screen Name:
Question or comment:
	This is a private message or question
	Notify me of follow up comments via e-mail

	* denotes required field

More Matthew commentaries

At Simon the Leper’s House

Matthew 26:6–16» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)

Application

Matthew 26:6-16 (English Standard Version)

Matthew 26:6–16
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)