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Interesting Holy Bible Facts
Which Woman Anointed Our Lord Jesus Christ With Oil?
In the Holy Gospels, there are different accounts of women who anointed our Lord Jesus Christ with oil. The first one mentioned is in Luke 7:36-50. The second is mentioned in John 12:1-8. The third is mentioned in Mark 14:3-9 also recorded in Matthew 26:6-13.
+When we look closely into these three accounts, we find that they were actually three separate events that occurred on three separate days in three different places by three different women.
BIBLICAL REFERENCE | Luke 7:36-50 | John 12:1-8 | Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9 |
PLACE OF EVENT | House of Simon the Pharisee, GALILEE | Bethany, most likely at Lazarus' home JUDEA | Bethany, house of Simon the Leper JUDEA |
NAME OF WOMAN | "a woman in the city who was a sinner" (verse 37) | Mary, the sister of Lazarus (John 12:1-3) | "a woman" (Matthew 26:7, Mark 14:3) |
DAY OF EVENT | 1 st year of our Lord Jesus Christ's ministry because in Luke 8:1-- "SOON AFTERWARDS he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him" (NRSV) AND at that time our Lord had not yet chosen the 72 apostles as in Luke 10. | Six days before the Passover; Saturday prior our Lord’s crucifixion and resurrection from the dead (John 12:1) | Wednesday; two days (from Tuesday evening till sunset on Wednesday) prior to the Passover and our Lord’s crucifixion (Compare Matthew 26:1-2; Mark 14:1-2) |
DETAILS OF ANOINTING | a) stood at His feet behind Him weeping b) washed His feet with her tears c) wiped them with the hair of her head d) kissed His feet e) anointed them with the fragrant oil (verse 38) | a) took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard b) anointed the feet of Jesus c) wiped His feet with her hair (verse 3) | a) came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil b) she poured it on His head as He sat at the table (Matthew 26:7; Mark 14:3) |
PERSON WHO CRITICIZED AND THEIR CRITICISM | Simon the Pharisee: "This man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner" (verse 39). | Judas Iscariot: "Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" (verse 5) | Disciples (in Matthew); "some" (in Mark): "Why was this fragrant oil wasted? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.' And they criticized her sharply" (Mark 14:4-5; cf. Matthew 26:8-9). |
RESULT OF ANOINTING | "Your sins are forgiven...Your faith has saved you. Go in peace" (verses 48-50) | "she has kept this for the day of My burial" (verse 7) Note: put on His feet | "She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her" (Mark 14:8-9; cf. Matthew 26:12-13) Note: put on His head |
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