Matthew 26:7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The woman referenced appears to be the same across all the Gospel writers; however, this is not entirely correct. In the accounts of the three Synoptic Gospels, they seem to refer to one individual, while in John's narrative, he speaks of a different woman, specifically Lazarus' sister. The mention of Simon's leprosy by the evangelist is intentional, as it illustrates the boldness with which the woman approached Jesus. Leprosy was regarded as a profoundly unclean and detestable disease, yet she observed that Jesus had healed him; therefore, she believed that He would cleanse her of her spiritual impurities.

Some suggest that there were three women who anointed the Lord with oil, a fact noted by all four Gospel writers. Others hold that there were just two: the one identified in John as Mary, Lazarus's sister, and another mentioned in Matthew, who is the same as the one in Luke and Mark. Some believe that Simon the leper was Lazarus's father, from whom the Lord healed leprosy, and he was subsequently looked after by Him. It is also thought that when the Lord instructed the disciples to "Go to this man, and he will show you a clean upper room," He was directing them to Simon; it is said that Simon hosted the Lord, during which He shared the Passover with him. Upon witnessing the leper healed, the woman was filled with hope that she too would obtain forgiveness and be cured of her own leprosy.

Let no one assume that the same woman who anointed His head with fragrant oil is the same as the one who anointed His feet. It is clear that the woman who washed His feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair is explicitly described as a sinner. However, nothing similar is mentioned regarding this woman. In truth, a sinner would not have had the worthiness to anoint the Lord's head directly. Additionally, the other Gospel writer refers not to a container of costly perfume but rather to an unadorned vessel made of marble to illustrate the genuine faith of the Church and the nations of the Gentiles.

Matthew describes a woman anointing Christ's head with ointment. He might not have referred to her as a sinner, while Luke narrates the account of a sinner who poured ointment on His feet (Luke 7:37). These could be different individuals, thus the evangelists are not in contradiction. The distinction lies in the varying significance of the actions and the timing: initially, the woman represents a sinner, but later she embodies a greater level of holiness. The church, or the soul, retains its identity while evolving in perfection. Understand that a soul, steadfast in its pure state and devoted to God (Isaiah 58:2, James 4:8), serves God's Word not through shameful sins but through righteous actions. Such a soul ascends to the head of Christ, who is the head of God (1 Corinthians 11:3). This soul emanates the sweet aroma of its virtues. We become Christ's fragrance to God (2 Corinthians 2:15), and the virtuous life of the righteous brings glory to God.

The Lord applied the anointing oil upon His head to sanctify the Church with eternal life. Let us not allow the foul teachings of the ruler of this world to envelop us, for they seek to ensnare us away from the true path of life. Why do we lack wisdom, despite having received the revelation of God, embodied in Jesus Christ? Why do we suffer in ignorance, failing to acknowledge the extraordinary gift that the Lord has graciously bestowed upon us?

This woman symbolizes the Gentiles who honored God through the suffering of Christ. She anointed His head, and His head represents God (1 Cor. 11:3). Peace embodies the results of righteous deeds. The female gender receives particular gratitude for their attentive care of the body. Consequently, all the devotion toward His body and all the love for His precious soul were transformed into glory and praise for God. However, the disciples, preoccupied with the salvation of Israel, felt disheartened as they often did; the perfume could have been sold for a significant sum and offered to those in need. Yet the ointment the woman brought was not for sale.

The Anointing of Jesus' Head with Peace

During supper, as everyone reclined at the table, a woman entered bearing an alabaster jar filled with exquisite nard. The identity of the woman is not specified by the Evangelists. Three different women anointed Jesus with this precious balm at various times: the first was in the home of Simon the Pharisee, traditionally identified as Mary Magdalene; the second was Mary, the sibling of Lazarus; and the third took place in the residence of Simon the leper. Church Fathers such as John Chrysostom and Augustine propose that the same woman anointed Jesus on two occasions, once at Simon the Pharisee’s house and again at Simon the Leper’s. This theory seems plausible, suggesting that the woman who came to Simon the Leper was indeed Mary Magdalene.

While Martha attended to her customary tasks, Mary positioned herself at the feet of Jesus, absorbing His loving dialogue. In the presence of her cherished Lord and her dear brother, who was a living testament to Christ’s unparalleled power, she experienced an intense urge to demonstrate her affection, gratitude, and veneration for Him. Thus, rising to her feet, she took an alabaster jar filled with exquisite nard and, softly approaching Jesus from behind, shattered the jar and anointed His head with the precious fragrant oil, followed by His feet. Without regard for the onlookers, she then used the long tresses of her hair to wipe His feet, enveloping the space in the delightful aroma of the spilled fragrance.

A woman approached: the same sinner who, as noted by Luke the Evangelist (Luke 7:36ff.), had previously anointed the Lord in the home of Simon the Pharisee, who we can presume is also Simon the leper. - She carried an alabaster jar: alabaster is a type of marble known for its lightness, translucence, and beauty, particularly the pure white variety. It was commonly crafted into various containers, urns, and vessels for holding fragrant liquids, since "fragrant substances were perfectly preserved in alabaster vessels" (Plin.). Typically, these containers featured a long and narrow neck.