Why did the woman pour very precious ointment on Jesus’ head?

The woman’s act shows deep faith and love for Jesus. She brought an alabaster box of very costly ointment and poured it on His head while He sat at the table. This was a way of honoring Him, like treating Him as a king and guest of highest respect. Jesus explains that, in God’s plan, this was more than a kind gesture. It was done for His burial, pointing ahead to His death. She likely did not see all that, but her heart was full of devotion, and Jesus gladly received it.

Why did the disciples call the anointing a waste and how did Jesus respond?

When the disciples saw the ointment poured out, they became upset and said, “To what purpose is this waste?” They argued it could have been sold for a large amount and given to the poor. Their words sounded wise, but they misjudged the woman and her act of love. Jesus stepped in and said, “Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.” He showed that honoring Him in this unique moment was not wasteful at all, but pleasing to God and full of meaning.

What does Jesus mean by ‘ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always’?

Jesus is not telling His followers to ignore the poor. In fact, His words assume that the poor will always be nearby, giving constant chances to care for them. What He highlights here is that His time on earth in bodily form was short. This was a special, once‑only moment before His death. Ordinary care for the poor must continue, but this act of worship, given to Him just before the cross, had a unique place. Sometimes a special work of honoring Christ is fitting even above usual ways of giving.

How was the anointing in Bethany connected to Jesus’ burial?

Jesus says, “She hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.” In their culture, bodies were anointed with spices and ointments when someone died. Jesus knows He is about to suffer and die, and He treats this woman’s act as a kind of early burial anointing. It is as if she is honoring Him as the suffering Messiah before the tomb is sealed. Later, the usual burial spices will not be fully used on Him because He rises from the dead. So this moment becomes the sign that He will truly die, yet still be God’s chosen King.

Why does Jesus say this woman’s act will be told as a memorial wherever the gospel is preached?

Jesus promises that wherever the good news about Him is preached in the whole world, what this woman did will be told in memory of her. Her act joins the story of His death and burial. It shows what true love for Him looks like: costly, humble, and not held back by fear of people’s opinions. By linking her deed to the gospel, Jesus shows that He notices and honors even small, hidden acts done for Him. Her story encourages every believer to give Christ their best, trusting that God remembers what others may misunderstand or despise.

What does this passage teach about worship and the use of money or costly gifts?

This passage shows that not everything spent on God’s honor is a waste, even when it looks costly. The disciples talked about better “use” of the money, but they missed the worth of Christ Himself. Jesus does not cancel care for the poor, yet He shows that special acts of worship given to Him are right. The lesson is not to chase luxury, but to let love for Christ lead our giving. Sometimes that means generous charity, sometimes a costly act of devotion. The key is a sincere heart that values Jesus above earthly gain.

How can believers today apply the example of the woman who anointed Jesus?

Believers today can follow this woman’s example by giving Jesus what is precious to them without holding back. That may be time, money, reputation, or comfort. Others might misunderstand or judge, just as the disciples did. Still, this passage invites us to care more about God’s approval than people’s opinions. We can honor Christ in worship, in serving His people, and in gladly bearing loss for His sake. Like her, we may not see all that God is doing through our actions, but we can trust that nothing done for Jesus in love is wasted.

Why is this story sometimes hard to understand in light of helping the poor?

This story can feel difficult because Jesus defends a very costly act toward Himself when the money could have helped needy people. Some readers worry this lessens the call to charity. But the passage keeps both sides together. Jesus affirms that the poor are always present, so care for them must be ongoing. At the same time, He shows there are rare moments when honoring Him in a special way is fitting, especially around His death and burial. The challenge is to hold both truths: steady love for the poor and wholehearted devotion to Christ.

Matt.26.6

Matthew 26:6

King James Version (KJV)

Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,

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Jesus Anointed at Bethany

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.