Matthew 26:12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He continues to provide the rationale, intending to remind them once more of His affliction: "She prepared," He states, "Me for burial. And now she has prefigured the suffering by presenting the items needed for the burial."

Through this, the Lord reveals that the wife acted according to the divine will, symbolizing His death and the interment of His body, for He would not have permitted the anointing with oil if He had not intended to disclose a profound mystery. As God, He prophesied that this woman's deed would be celebrated throughout the ages. Observe, therefore, the humanity of God and the significant honor bestowed upon this woman: He orchestrates that her memory will endure wherever the gospel is proclaimed. How does the ointment signify the burial of Christ? It was a Jewish custom to anoint bodies to preserve them from decay and odor, similar to the practices of the Egyptians. Thus, the Lord asserts that this woman through her act of devotion signifies that My body shall be buried.

What you refer to as the extravagance of the scented oil is an act of service connected to My burial. It is not surprising that she offered Me the sweet aroma of her faith at the moment I poured out My blood for her.

Let us revisit the previous reference to the woman, whose actions remain incomprehensible to the apostles as such mysteries are concealed by God throughout the ages. For who has comprehended the mind of the Lord? (Is. 40:13; Rom. 11:34). The disciples expressed their discontent that a woman had anointed His head, questioning, "Why this waste? This perfume could have been sold for a higher price and the proceeds given to the needy" (Matt. 26:8-9; cf. Mk. 14:4-5). It is challenging to identify wrongdoing in their statements until one grasps their deeper significance. Such sentiments are characteristic of a man consumed by luxury, or rather, one who has lost his true humanity. Furthermore, those who embody tranquility often carry its essence within them rather than applying it externally.

You may not realize that this woman acted under a divine inspiration, symbolizing my burial; by anointing my body with this fragrance, she was preparing me for my interment. 'So let no one judge her. I do not intend to condemn her as if she had committed an offense, nor do I wish to criticize her for any wrongdoing; rather, I will ensure that this act is made known to all, revealing what took place both in the house and in private. This gesture arises from sincere devotion, fervent faith, and a contrite heart’ (St. John Chrysostom).

As the Lord traveled from Jericho to Jerusalem, He made a brief stop in Bethany. At this time, many worshippers had gathered in Jerusalem, proclaiming the arrival of the promised Messiah. The day was likely the Sabbath, which meant the people remained in Bethany since it was beyond the distance permitted for travel on that day. This was six days prior to Passover. During His stay in Bethany, the Lord dined at the home of Simon, a former leper, while Martha took on the role of hostess, preparing the meal. Lazarus, who had been raised from the dead, was also present at the dinner. The Evangelist mentions Lazarus—perhaps to highlight his full health or to indicate the remarkable honor bestowed upon this resurrected man.

This woman, in a gesture of farewell, did everything within her power: she prepared My body for the impending burial.

Christ sadly anticipated the treacherous and greedy intentions of Judas, yet this time He only subtly rebuked him while defending Mary, who had already faced harsh criticism. "Why are you troubling this woman?" He asked. "Let her be; she has performed a beautiful act for Me. For you will always have the poor among you, but you do not always have Me." She has preserved this precious perfume for the day of My burial.

"She has prepared Me for burial": In this instance, the Lord attributes a unique significance to what would typically be viewed as an expression of respect and affection. He regards it as a preparation for His entombment, reflecting the ancient practice of anointing the deceased with spices (cf. Theophilus). Whether the wife intended this meaning or not, the Lord placed immense importance on her actions.

The Lord made it evident to those who complained that they had been premature in criticizing the devotion of the woman. Caring for the needy is commendable, yet in this instance, it was neither fitting nor timely: leave her be; why disturb her? She has performed a commendable act for me, for you will always have the poor among you, and you can do good for them whenever you like, but you do not always have me. This woman’s action, filled with a profound expression of reverent faith, zeal, and love for the Savior, carried a unique and mysterious significance. Therefore, rather than deserving criticism, it warranted universal praise.