MATTHEW 26:6–13, THE ANOINTING AT BETHANY
A LOVE THAT PREPARES FOR THE CROSS
Introduction
As the shadow of the Cross falls ever more clearly over Jesus’ final days, Matthew places before us a striking contrast. While religious leaders plot His death and even His own disciples calculate usefulness and efficiency, an unnamed woman responds with extravagant, wholehearted love. In a quiet home at Bethany, her prophetic gesture anticipates what the disciples cannot yet grasp: that Jesus is about to die, and that love, not calculation, is the fitting response to His self-gift.
Bible Passage (Matthew 26:6–13)
Now when Jesus was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came up to him with an alabaster jar of costly perfumed oil, and poured it on his head while he was reclining at table.
When the disciples saw this, they were indignant and said, “Why this waste? It could have been sold for much, and the money given to the poor.”
Since Jesus knew this, he said to them, “Why do you make trouble for the woman? She has done a good thing for me.
The poor you will always have with you; but you will not always have me.
In pouring this perfumed oil upon my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.
Amen, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be spoken of, in memory of her.”
Background
This episode occurs immediately after the leaders’ conspiracy against Jesus and just before Judas’ betrayal. Matthew deliberately frames the anointing between hostility and treachery to show another possible response to Jesus: loving surrender. The setting is intimate, domestic, and ordinary—a shared meal—yet it becomes the place of profound revelation. The woman’s act interprets the meaning of Jesus’ impending death more clearly than the disciples’ words do.
Opening Life Connection
Many people evaluate faith primarily in terms of usefulness: what is practical, efficient, or socially acceptable. Even generosity is often measured by cost-benefit analysis. Yet love, especially love at decisive moments, rarely fits such calculations. In times of farewell, illness, or impending loss, people often express love through gestures that seem “wasteful” to outsiders. This Gospel invites us to examine whether our discipleship is shaped more by calculation or by love.
Verse-by-Verse / Phrase-by-Phrase Reflection
“Now when Jesus was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper”
Bethany is a place of friendship and refuge for Jesus. That He dines in the house of a man identified as “the leper” already signals the Gospel’s logic: those once marginalized now host the Holy One. Jesus’ presence restores dignity and communion.
“a woman came up to him with an alabaster jar of costly perfumed oil”
The woman is unnamed, shifting the focus from her identity to her action. The alabaster jar and costly perfume represent something precious, perhaps her life savings. What she brings is not surplus but sacrifice.
“and poured it on his head while he was reclining at table”
Anointing the head evokes royal and priestly imagery, but in this context it also anticipates burial rites. Her gesture silently proclaims that Jesus is the Messiah whose kingship will be revealed through death.
“When the disciples saw this, they were indignant”
The disciples’ reaction is revealing. They are not indifferent but angry, convinced that they are defending a moral priority. Yet their indignation blinds them to the deeper meaning of the moment.
“Why this waste?”
What looks like waste to calculation is worship to love. This question exposes the tension between efficiency and devotion, between managing resources and offering oneself fully.
“It could have been sold for much, and the money given to the poor”
Concern for the poor is valid and essential, but here it becomes an excuse that misses the unique, unrepeatable moment of Jesus’ presence. Charity detached from love of Christ risks becoming ideology.
“Why do you make trouble for the woman? She has done a good thing for me.”
Jesus publicly defends her. He names her action as “good,” affirming that love directed toward Him is never misplaced. He also restores her dignity before the community.
“The poor you will always have with you; but you will not always have me.”
Jesus does not diminish concern for the poor; He places it in proper relation to Himself. Love of neighbor flows from love of Christ, but this moment—His imminent death—is unique and irreversible.
“In pouring this perfumed oil upon my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.”
The woman understands, perhaps intuitively, what the disciples resist: Jesus is going to die. Her act becomes a prophetic preparation for the Passion, offering honor where others will offer violence.
“Wherever this gospel is proclaimed… what she has done will be spoken of, in memory of her.”
Jesus grants her an astonishing promise: her loving act becomes part of the Gospel itself. She is remembered not by name but by love that aligned perfectly with God’s saving moment.
Jewish Historical and Religious Context
Perfumed oils were used for hospitality, consecration, and burial. Because bodies were often hastily buried before the Sabbath, anointing before death took on special significance. This woman performs what others will be unable or unwilling to do after Jesus’ crucifixion, making her act both prophetic and deeply Jewish in meaning.
Catholic Tradition and Teaching
The Church has long seen in this woman a model of pure devotion. Her action reflects the priority of loving Christ above all, without denying responsibility to the poor. Catholic tradition holds together worship and charity, insisting that authentic service of the poor flows from a heart first given to God.
Historical or Saintly Illustration
Many saints were criticized for “extravagant” devotion—long hours in prayer, lavish care for sacred liturgy, or total self-gift to Christ. Yet their love bore lasting fruit for the Church. Like the woman of Bethany, they understood that nothing offered to Christ in love is ever wasted.
Application to Christian Life Today
This Gospel challenges us to examine our motivations. Do we serve God and others primarily on our own terms, or are we willing to give Christ something costly—time, reputation, comfort, control? It also calls communities to avoid discouraging sincere acts of devotion simply because they do not fit prevailing expectations.
Eucharistic Connection
In the Eucharist, Christ continues to give Himself lavishly, without calculation. Like the woman at Bethany, the Church responds with “extravagant” worship—sacred vessels, reverent ritual, generous love—because the gift received is beyond measure. Every Mass is a moment to pour out our hearts before the One who gives His body for us.
Messages / Call to Conversion
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Ask whether your love for Christ has become cautious or calculating.
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Do not despise small or hidden acts of devotion done with great love.
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Let worship of Christ deepen, not diminish, your service to the poor.
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Defend sincere faith when others dismiss it as impractical or excessive.
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Offer something precious to Jesus today, trusting that no love given to Him is ever wasted.
Outline for Preachers
• Setting at Bethany amid betrayal and conspiracy
• Contrast between calculation and love
• Symbolism of anointing: kingship, burial, prophecy
• Disciples’ indignation versus Jesus’ defense
• “Waste” versus worship
• Priority of Christ without neglect of the poor
• Woman as model disciple who understands the Cross
• Eucharistic and devotional implications
• Call to wholehearted, courageous love
