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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 26:6-13

In this passage of story, we have, I. The singular kindness of a good woman to our Lord Jesus in anointing his head, Matt. 26:6, 7. It was in Bethany, a village hard by Jerusalem, and in the house of Simon the leper. Probably, he was one who had been miraculously cleansed from his leprosy by our Lord Jesus, and he would express his gratitude to Christ by entertaining him; nor did Christ disdain to converse with him, to come in to him, and sup with him. Though he was cleansed, yet he was called... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 26:6-13

26:6-13 When Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster phial of very costly perfume, and poured it over his head as he reclined at table. When the disciples saw it, they were vexed. "What is the good of this waste?" they said. "For this could have been sold for much money, and the proceeds given to the poor." When Jesus knew what they were saying, he said to them, "Why do you distress the woman? It is a lovely thing that she has done to me.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 26:10

When Jesus understood it ,.... The indignation of his disciples at this action of the woman's; which he might know, as man, partly by their looks, and partly by their words; though without these, as God, he knew the secret indignation, and private resentment of their minds: he said unto them, why trouble ye the woman ? by blaming her, and censuring the action she had done; as it must, no doubt, greatly trouble her to meet with such treatment from the disciples of Christ: had any of the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 26:10

Why trouble ye the woman? - Or, Why do ye put the woman to pain? See this sense of κοπους παρεχειν , established by Kypke in loco. A generous mind is ever pained when it is denied the opportunity of doing good, or when its proffered kindness is refused. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 26:10

Verse 10 10.Why do you trouble the woman? It is wonderful that Christ, whose whole life was a rule and pattern of temperance and frugality, now approves of immoderate expense, which appears to have been closely allied to luxury and superfluous indulgence. But we must observe the kind of defense which he employs; for he does not maintain that the woman did right, in such a manner as if he wished that the same thing should be done every day, but maintains that what she had done in a single... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 26:6-13

The anointing at Bethany. ( Mark 14:3-9 ; John 12:1-8 .) This parenthetical episode is introduced by the two synoptists out of its chronological order, with the view of indicating the immediate cause of Judas's resolution to betray his Master, the issue of which they proceed to narrate (see on Matthew 26:14 ). This anointing must not be confounded with that related by St. Luke ( Luke 7:37 , etc.), where the scene, the time, and the actor were different, and the significance was of a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 26:6-13

"Ointment poured forth." This incident has a unique honour set upon it by our Lord, who promises it worldwide and lasting fame. Thus accentuated, it claims our closest attention. Why does Christ desire honour to be given to the memory of so simple a deed as is here recorded? I. ONE WHO TRULY LOVES CHRIST WILL RECKON NO GIFT TOO COSTLY TO BE OFFERED TO HIM . Mary's adoration was prompted by adequate motives. She had often sat at the feet of Jesus, and she... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 26:6-16

The supper at Bethany. I. THE ANOINTING . 1 . The house of Simon the leper. The Lord was always welcome there. It may be that he had healed Simon of his leprosy. He had raised Lazarus from the dead; he was regarded with the utmost reverence and affection by Martha and Mary. St. John tells us that Jesus, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany. "There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him." St. Matthew is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 26:6-16

Troublers of the good. Jesus and his apostles were entertained at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper. Simon probably had once been a leper, and was miraculously healed by Jesus (see Matthew 11:5 ), and became a disciple of the great Physician. Bishop Newcome has admirably harmonized the accounts of the anointing at Bethany given by the evangelists Matthew, Mark, and John. This Simon prepared a supper, to which he invited Lazarus, his neighbour if not also his relative, who by the same... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 26:10

Understood it. Either their murmurs reached Christ's ears, or he divined their thoughts, and proceeded to defend Mary's action and to give a new lesson. Why trouble ye the woman? The disciples, observed Bengel, were really acting offensively to Jesus in thus censuring Mary; but he passes over this, and blames them only in respect of their conduct towards her. Doubtless, their remarks had reached Mary's ears, and annoyed and embarrassed her. For she hath wrought a good work upon ( εἰς ... read more

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