Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.
2007-10-23 08:04:58 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The woman was honoring Jesus by lavishing her perfume or ointment on him, annointing his head. This is symbolic in a couple of ways. (1) she was acknowledging his kingship (kings were anointed), and (2) she was signifying that he would be dying and buried soon, so was sort of preparing his body for burial. They didn't "embalm" then, but did cover the body in perfumes and oils just before burial.
The disciples, who were still not quie gettign what Jesus had been teaching all this time, fussed ather for "wasting" the perfume that could have been sold for money to give to the needy. Jesus told them to give her a break, that if they were really worried about the poor, not to worry, saying the poor will always be with you, bu tthe Son of Man (himself, Jesus) only had a short time remaining. He went on to say that as far as the Gospel is spread, this woman's deed will be honored and remembered. And it is, 2007 years later, as we discuss it today. Cool.
2007-10-23 08:18:20 · answer #1 · answered by Sugar Pie 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Matthew 26 6 13
2016-09-29 06:45:03 · answer #2 · answered by kia 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi. Before I give you an answer could you please not use the King James unless you are trying to prove some point / because it's necessary? It's silly to speak old english for the hell of it, and when most people don't speak that language anymore. We speak modern english so use a modern english Bible.
What is being said there is pretty plain, there is no hidden symbolism in there. Judas was showing his greed, the woman was showing her love for Jesus, and Jesus was showing his love for her and his hatred for Judas' hypocrisy and slander.
It can be used to show that women can be morally superior to men, at least unsaved men and are not merely sex machines one step above monkeys as Muhammed, Darwin and other sexists would have everyone believe.
2007-10-23 17:17:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I am sure the disciples thought this woman was wasting this precious ointment. Just like some people now days think that certain Christians waste their money on the Kingdom of God. But she had really chose the good part. She gave her BEST (the most expensive ointment she had). If more of us gave our all to the Lord we too would find contentment. It is always more blessed to give than to receive. But in giving you always receive back.
To me this passage talks of giving of my best to the Lord. Even when others say it is stupid.
Many of us have Faith in God......but the question is.....can God have Faith in Man?
What this woman did proved to the Lord that He could have Faith in her. She gave it all, no rhyme or reason and the Lord held that in high regard. If we do the same, we also hold a special place with Him.
Hope this helps and thumbs up to someone trying to better understand the scriptures !!! Take Care !!
2007-10-23 08:14:21 · answer #4 · answered by Shirley 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have heard it explained that she was the first Christian, the first to realize what Christ would mean to the world. And so she poured out all she had for him. She gave her best to Him
Saying the poor will aways be with us sounds harsh, but it is reality. Even if she had spent the money on the poor, we would still have the poor with us. What she did was far more significant because her actions showed us what it means to become a follower of Christ.
2007-10-23 08:13:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe the point is that we have something priceless to share...the Gospel. Some people spend their whole lives wishing they had enough money to help spread the Gospel...you know...the "if I could only win the lottery I could do great things for the Kingdom" mindset.
Even if we are poor, we can make many rich with the Gospel (2Cor 6)...or put another way, if we have no money and we think we need money to do the work of God our master is still money.
There are many idle hands waiting for the worldly blessings to come so they can do the ministry.
Store up your treasure in heaven.
agapefromnc
2007-10-23 08:22:46 · answer #6 · answered by harry killwater 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
You need to read entire chapter. (Enter into the strait gate: for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go there into. Because strait is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth to life, and few there be that find it.) Jesus said this. It means just as it reads. It can't be more simple.
2016-03-13 05:25:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The anointing was for the preparation of burial for Jesus. It was a prophetic sign that the apostles didn't understand at the time. Judas was the greedy one that said it could have been sold for money. And because she knew Jesus was worth more than the very expensive ointment, Jesus made known of her in the Bible.
2007-10-23 08:26:42 · answer #8 · answered by Putta Rat 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Everything recorded about his life has to read as psychological metaphor to have meaning. Being anointed was symbolic of authentic being - as was baptism for psychological purification, and crucifixion for the achievement of ego death. His entire message revolves around transcending the conditioned, socialized, earthbound identity as prerequisite to achieving authentic being/purpose. The feminine principle represented by the woman with the perfume is also symbolized by the three Marys. Unconditional love and support for being/purpose is a necessity for psychological transformation. If we didn't get it from our mother, we have to get it elsewhere to internalize it.
2007-10-23 08:40:52 · answer #9 · answered by MysticMaze 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
The point seems to be that the action was appropriate in view of His burial which was soon to take place, and that it might be regarded as symbolic or prophetic of the burial.This gospel, the good news of the Lord's death and resurrection.
2007-10-23 10:48:50 · answer #10 · answered by Auburn 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋