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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 26:9

For this ointment might have been sold for much ,.... Mark says, "for more than three hundred pence", Mark 14:5 , now if this is to be understood of Roman pence, each penny being seven pence half penny of our money, three hundred pence come to nine pounds, seven shillings, and six pence; but if it is to be understood of the penny of the sanctuary, which was one shilling and three pence, they come to just as much more: it might well be called very precious and costly ointment; and this was... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 26:11

For ye have the poor always with you ,.... This is said in answer to the objection of the disciples, that the ointment might have been sold, and the money given to the poor. Christ seems to have respect to Deuteronomy 15:11 , and which, agreeably to the sense of the Jews, refers to the times of the Messiah: for they say F8 T. Bab. Sabbat, fol. 63. 1. , "there is no difference between this world (this present time) and the times of the Messiah, but the subduing of kingdoms only; as... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 26:9

And given to the poor - How often does charity serve as a cloak for covetousness! God is sometimes robbed of his right under the pretense of devoting what is withheld to some charitable purpose, to which there was no intention ever to give it. 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 26:11

Ye have the poor always with you - And, consequently, have the opportunity of doing them good at any time; but me ye have not always; my bodily presence is about to be removed from you for ever. The woman, under a presentiment of my death is preparing me for my burial. 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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 26:11

Verse 11 11.For you have the poor always with you. Christ does not simply defend the anointing, so that we may imitate it, but assures us that it pleases God on some particular account. This must be carefully weighed, that we may not fall into the error of contriving expensive modes of worshipping God, as the Papists do; for, hearing it said that Christ was pleased with being anointed by Mary, they supposed that he took delight in incense, wax-tapers, splendid decorations, and pompous... read more

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