Matthew 26:7

Translations

Modern

…a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He reclined at the table.

Traditional

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.

Literal

…a woman came to Him, having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He is reclining.

Latin

…accessit ad eum mulier habens alabastrum unguenti pretiosi, et effudit super caput ipsius recumbentis.

Original

Greek

English

…a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He reclined at the table.

Notes

Matthew 26:7

The jar of costly perfume was used for burial customs (see Mark 16:1; Luke 23:56–24:1; John 12:1–7; 19:38–42). It was made from nard, a plant harvested in India. The perfume was worth almost a full year’s wages(John 12:5).

Matthew 26:6–13

A similar anointing happened earlier in Galilee (Luke 7:36–50). Matthew includes this event here (compare John 12:1–8) to highlight different responses to Jesus. While the Jewish leaders were plotting to kill Jesus (Matthew 26:3–5) and Judas was preparing to betray him (26:14–16), the woman honored Jesus with her actions.

Theme notes and profiles

Martha, Mary, and Lazarus Women Named Mary

Related verses

John 12:2–3
So they hosted a dinner for Jesus there. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with Him.
Luke 7:46
You did not anoint My head with oil, but she has anointed My feet with perfume.
Luke 7:37–38
When a sinful woman from that town learned that Jesus was dining there, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume.
Ecclesiastes 9:8
Let your garments always be white, and never spare the oil for your head.
Song of Solomon 1:3
The fragrance of your perfume is pleasing; your name is like perfume poured out. No wonder the maidens adore you.
Isaiah 57:9
You went to Molech with oil and multiplied your perfumes. You have sent your envoys a great distance; you have descended even to Sheol itself.
Psalm 133:2
It is like fine oil on the head, running down on the beard, running down Aaron’s beard over the collar of his robes.
Exodus 30:23–33
“Take the finest spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half that amount (250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant cane,
Ecclesiastes 10:1
As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

Matthew 26:7

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?

Parallels?

Glossary?

Topics?

Translations

Original

Notes

Related verses

Parallels

Glossary

Topics