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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 26:12

For in that she hath poured this ointment ,.... Which was so very precious, and cost so much, upon my body : for being poured on his head, it ran down all over his body. She did it for my burial ; not for the interment of his body, but for the embalming of it, previous to it: the Jews used to embalm their dead, to show their constant respect to the deceased, and their belief of the resurrection; at least not only used to wash them, but anoint them with oil; for so runs one of their... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 26:12

She did it for my burial - Or, She hath done it to embalm me - ενταφιασαι με . The Septuagint use ενταφιαϚης for the person whose office it was to embalm, Genesis 50:2 , and ενταφιαζω for the Hebrew הנט which signifies to prepare with spices, or aromatics, Genesis 50:3 . Our Lord took this opportunity to tell them, once more, that he was shortly to die. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 26:12

Verse 12 12She hath done it to bury me. By these words Christ confirms what we have said, that the precious ointment was not valued by him on account of its odor, but solely in reference to his burial. It was because he wished to testify by this symbol, that his grave would yield a sweet odor, as it breathed life and salvation through the whole world. Accordingly, we are told by John (John 12:7) that Christ praised Mary for having reserved that anointing till the day of his burial. But since... 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 26:12

On my body, she did it for my burial ( προ Ì ς το Ì ἐνταφια ì σαι με , to prepare me for burial ) . This doubtless was in some sort her intention (see on Matthew 26:10 ). She desired to offer what she could ( Mark 14:8 ) of the offices and attentions due to the corpse of a beloved and revered Friend. Christ interpreted her act, and gave it a solemn significance. By this effusion of the precious unguent site anticipated the embalming of the Lord's body; she showed... read more

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