The Anointing of Jesus
The anointing of Jesus occurred more than once. Although some people claim Jesus was only anointed once, the evidence points to more than one anointing. I know some people see contradictions in the Bible and so conclude that the Bible does not contain the truth. Before anyone concludes the Bible contains many errors when it comes to the anointing of Jesus, we must examine that evidence carefully. Therefore, I have constructed a chart of events for comparison across the four Gospel accounts.
| Factor | Luke 7 | Matthew 26 | Mark 14 | John 12 |
| Chronology | Luke Chronological
(Luke 1:3) |
No Claim of Chronological Order | No Claim of Chronological Order | No Claim of Chronological Order |
| Time of Anointing | No Mention, Except After City of Nain Restoration to Life and After Visit of Disciples of John the Baptist (Luke 7:11-35); Right before Jesus began Going from One City (“πόλει“) and Village (“κώμην”) to Another (Luke 8:1) | No Specified Date, But After Two Days the Passover is Coming and the Son of Man Is To Be Handed over for Crucifixion (Matthew 26:2);Also after the Chief Priests and Elders of the People gathered in the Court of Caiaphas and Plotted the to Seize Jesus by Stealth and Kill Him (Matthew 26:3-4); Notice No time When Jesus in Bethany, but after the Two Days (Matthew 26:6); Jesus Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem Several Days before Anointing (Matthew 21:1-10) | No Specified Time (Notice the Time of Passover and Unleavened Bread Two Days Away Refers to Time the Chief Priests and the Scribes Were Seeking How To Seize Him by stealth and Kill Jesus, but they were Saying, Not During the Festival, for fear of a Riot among the People) (Mark 14:1-2); Anointing takes Place “While in Bethany” (Mark 14:3), apparently after Two Days above. Jesus Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem Several Days Before Anointing (Mark 11:1-11) | Jesus Came to Bethany Six Days Before the Passover (John 12:1); So They Made Him a Supper There (John 12:2); Jesus Entered Jerusalem (Triumphal Entry) the Next Day after Anointing (John 12:12). |
| Location | Unknown City (“πόλει“); Last Known Location: City of Nain (Luke 7:11); News of Jesus Went Out all over Judea in all the Surrounding District (Luke 7:17); Compare Village of Bethany (“κώμην”) (Luke 10:38) | Now When Jesus was in Bethany, Home of Simon the Leper (Matthew 26:6) | While Jesus in Bethany, at Home of Simon the Leper (Mark 14:3) | No Mention of Location; They Made Jesus a Supper (John 12:2) |
| City or Village | Jesus went from One City (“πόλιν“) and Village (“κώμην”) to Another (Luke 8:1); Notice Luke Differentiated a Village (“κώμην”) like Bethany from a City (“πόλιν“) where Simon the Pharisee Lived | When Jesus in Bethany
(Matthew 26:6) |
While Jesus in Bethany
(Mark 14:3) |
Jesus Came to Bethany (John 12:1); They Made Him a Supper (John 12:2) |
| Current Relationship of Opponents with Jesus | Pharisees Enraged with Jesus after He Healed Withered Hand Man (Luke 6:11) | Elders and Chief Priests Plotting To Seize Jesus by Stealth and Kill Him (Luke 16:4) | Chief Priests and the Scribes Were Seeking How To Seize Him by Stealth and Kill Jesus, but they were Saying, Not During the Festival, for fear of a Riot among the People) (Mark 14:1-2) | Chief Priests and the Pharisees Convened a Council, Caiaphas Propesied and They Planned To Kill Jesus (John 11:47-53); Jesus No Longer Walked Publicly among the Jews (John 11:54); the Chief Priests and Pharisees Had Given Orders To Report Jesus’ Location So They Might Seize Him (John 11:57) |
| Request | Pharisee Requested Jesus to Dine with Him; ; Seems Pharisee Did Not Invite Woman into His House (Luke 7:36-37) | No Mention of How Jesus Came To Be in House of Simon the Leper (Matthew 26:6) | No Mention of How Jesus Came To be in House of Simon the Leper (Mark 14:3) | No Mention of How Jesus Came To Be in the House (John 12:102) |
| Martha | No Mention | No Mention | No Mention | Martha Was Serving (John 12:2)
|
| Introduction to Woman with Ointment | Woman Learned that Jesus There and Came To See Jesus (Luke Woman of the City Was a Sinner; Later, Luke Introduces Martha and Mary as New People, Who Live in Village of Bethany (Luke 10:38). | Woman Came to Him (Matthew 26:7) | Woman Came (Mark 14:3) | Mary Took Pound of Perfume (John 12:3) |
| Character of the Woman | Sinner (Luke 7:37 and 7:39); Many Sins (Luke 7:47); Mary Chose the Good Part with Jesus (Luke 11:42): Forgiven Much (Luke 7:47) | No Mention of Character of Woman | No Mention of Character of Woman | Mary Mentioned as Believing that Lazarus Would Not Have Died If Jesus Had Been Present Earlier (John 12:32); Already Well Known to Jesus from John 11 Resurrection of Lazarus, Her Brother |
| Action of Woman | Began Kissing the Feet of Jesus as Soon as Jesus Entered ( Luke 7:45) | Broke Vial over His Head (Mark 14:3) | Mary Anointed Feet and Wiped Feet of Jesus
(John 12:3) |
|
| Position of Woman | Standing Behind Jesus, at His Feet (Luke 7:38) | No Mention | No Mention | No Mention |
| Tears | Wet Jesus’ Feet with Her Tears (Luke 7:38); | No Mention | No Mention | No Mention |
| Water | Pharisee Gave Jesus No Water for His Feet (Luke 7:44) | No Mention | No Mention | No Mention |
| Hair | Woman Wiped Feet of Jesus with Her Hair (Luke 7:38: Luke 7:44) | No Mention | No Mention | Mary Wiped His Feet with Her Hair (John 12:3) |
| Kissing | Pharisee No Kiss for Jesus; Woman Kissed His Feet without Ceasing from Time Jesus Entered the House (Luke 7:38; Luke 7: 45) | No Mention | No Mention | No Mention |
| Feet | Wet Jesus’ Feet with Her Tears (Luke 7:38); Anointed His Feet with Perfume (“μύρῳ”). | No Mention | No Mention | Mary Anointed Feet of Jesus (John 12:3) |
| Head | Pharisee Did Not Anoint Head of Jesus (Luke 7:46); No Mention of Woman Anointing Head of Jesus | Woman Anointed Head of Jesus (Matthew 26:7) | Poured Perfume over Head of Jesus (Mark 14:3) | No Mention |
| Body | No Mention of Perfume on Body of Jesus | Poured Perfume on Body (“σώματός“) of Jesus (Matthew 26:12) | Prepared Body for Burial (Mark 14:8) | No Mention |
| Reputation of Mary | Jews Consoling Mary when Lazarus Died (John 11:31) | None Mentioned | None Mentioned | Very High from John 11 Passage |
| Action of Pharisee | Simon Reproved Jesus for Not Knowing Woman Was a Sinner (Luke 7:38) and Allowing the Woman to Touch Him (Luke 7:39); Simon Talked to Himself about Jesus (Luke 7:39)
|
No Pharisee Mentioned | No Pharisee Mentioned | No Pharisee Mentioned |
| Failures of Pharisee | Simmon Failed To Identify Jesus (Luke 7:39); Simon Reproved Jesus (Luke 7:39); Simon Denied Jesus Was a Prophet (Luke 7:39); Pharisee Would Not Let Sinner Touch Pharisee (Luke 7:39); Simon Gave No Water for the Feet of Jesus (Luke 7:44); Simon Gave No Kiss When Jesus Entered Simon’s House (Luke 7:45); Simon Did Not Anoint Jesus’ Head with Oil (Luke 7:46); | No Pharisee Mentioned | No Pharisee Mentioned | No Pharisee Mentioned |
| Parable of the Debtor | Jesus Taught Simon the Parable of the Debtor (Luke 7:40-50) | No Parable Mentioned | No Parable Mentioned | No Parable Mentioned |
| Teaching of Jesus | Gracious Forgiveness of God and Love Dominate Account in Luke (Luke 7:42); Sinner Forgiven Much and Loved Much (Luke 7:47); Sinner Anointed Jesus; Sinner Forgiven by Jesus (Luke 7:50); Jesus Indicates Woman Now Has Saving Faith (Luke 7:50); Pharisee Unrepentant | Good Deed of Preparing Body of Jesus for Burial | Good Deed of Preparing Body of Jesus for Burial | Keep Burial Custom (“it’) and It is Good: Good To Prepare Jesus for Burial (John 12:7) |
| Simon | Common Name: Peter (Mathew 4:18); Simon the Zealot (Matthew 10:4); Simon, Brother of Jesus (Matthew 13:66); Simon the Leper (Mathew 26:6; Mark 14:3); Simon of Cyrene (Matthew 27:32); Simon the Pharisee (Luke 7:40); Simon Iscariot (John 6:71); Simon the Magician (Acts 8:9); Simon the Tanner (Acts 9:43); | Simon the Leper
(Matthew 26:6) |
Simon the Leper
(Mark 14:3) |
No Simon Mentioned |
| Alabaster Vial | Alabaster Vial (“κομίσασα ἀλάβαστρον“) (Luke 7:38) | Alabastar Vial (“ἀλάβαστρον“) | Alabastar Vial (“ἀλάβαστρον”) | No Alabastar Vial |
| Anointing | Perfume (“μύρου“) (Luke 7:37; Luke 7:46); Luke | Perfume (“μύρου”) (Matthew 26:7) | Perfume (“μύρου“); Pure Nard (“νάρδου πιστικῆς“)
(Mark 14:3) |
Perfume(“μύρου”) of Pure Nard (“νάρδου πιστικῆς“) (John 12:2); House Filled with Fragrance of Perfume (John 12:3) |
| Position of Jesus | Reclining at Table (Luke 7:37) | Reclining at Table (Luke 7:37) | Reclining at Table (Mark 14:3) | Reclining at Table (John 12:2) |
| Cost | No Mention of Cost | Very Costly (“βαρυτίμου”) | Very Costly
(“πολυτελοῦς”) (Mark 14:3); Three Hundred Denarii (Mark 14:5) |
Very Costly (“πολυτίμου”) (John 12:2); Three Hundred Denarii (John 12:5) |
| Weight | None Mentioned | None Mentioned | None Mentioned | One Pound (“λίτραν”) (John 12:3) |
| Broke Vial | None Mentioned | None Mentioned | Broke the Vial (Mark 14:3) | None Mentioned |
| Judas Iscariot | Selected as Disciple (Luke 6:16); No Disciple Mentioned | Disciples Present; Judas Not Mentioned by Name | Disciples Present, Judas Not Mentioned by Name | Judas Iscariot Intending To Betray Jesus (John 12:4) |
| Betrayal of Jesus | No Mention | No Mention | No Mention | Judas Intended to Betray Jesus (John 12:4) |
| Judas the Thief | No Mention | No Mention | No Mention | Judas Pilfered Money from the Money Box (John 12:6) |
| Mary Magdalene | Mary Magdalene Introduced as Woman From Whom Seven Demons Went Out (Luke 8:2) | No Mention | Not Mention | No Mention |
| Forgiveness of Sins | Woman Forgiven for Her Many Sins (Luke 7:49) | No Mention | Not Mention | No Mention |
| Other Dinner Guests | Other Dinner Guests at the Table with Jesus Question How Jesus Could Forgive Sins (Luke 7:49); M | Disciples only | Disciples Only | Lazarus (John 12:2); Judas Iscariot (John 12:4); No Other Disciples Mentioned |
| Presence of Disciples | No Disciples Mentioned | Disciples Mentioned | Disciples Mentioned | Judas Only Disciple Mentioned as Present: Notice They Made “Him” Jeus (Singular) Supper, But Lazarus and Judas Iscariot Present Also, Perhaps Others |
| Reaction of Disciples | No Mention of Disciples | Disciples Indignant (“ἠγανάκτησαν”) with Waste (“ἀπώλεια”)(Matthew 26:8) | Disciples Indignant (“ἀγανακτοῦντες”) with Waste (“ἀπώλεια“)
(Mark 14:4) |
Only Judas Mentioned as Disciple; No Indignation Explicity Mentioned |
| Advice of Disciples | No Mention of Disciples | Sell Perfume for High Price and Give to the Poor (Matthew 26:9) | Sell Perfume and Give to Poor (Mark 14:5) | Judas Complained that Money Could Be Used for Poor (John 12:4-6) |
| Disciples Criticize Jesus | No Mention of Disciples | Disciples Called the Anointing a Waste of Money (Matthew 26:9) | Disciples Called the Anointing a Waste of Money
(Mark 14:4) |
Judas Criticized Jesus for Anointing; He Wanted the Perfume Sold and Given to the Poor, and that Judas Might Pilfer Some of the Money (John 12:5-6) |
| Disciples Criticize Woman | No Mention of Disciples | Disciples Called the Anointing a Waste of Money (Matthew 26:9); Why Do You Bother the Woman (Matthew 26:10) | Disciples Were Scolding (“ἐνεβριμῶντο”) the woman (Mark 14:5) | Judas Criticized Mary for Anointing; He Wanted the Perfume Sold and Given to the Poor, and that Judas Might Pilfer Some of the Money (John 12:5-6) |
| Reaction of Jesus to the Disciples | No Mention of Disciples | Why do You Bother (“κόπους παρέχετε“) the Woman (Matthew 26:10)
|
Let Her Alone (“Ἄφετε αὐτήν”) (Mark 14:6); Why Do You Bother Her (“κόπους παρέχετε“) ? (Mark 14:6) | Jesus Confronted Judas: Let Her Alone (“Ἄφες αὐτήν“) (John 12:7) |
| Good Deed | No Expression of Good Deed | Jesus Said Woman Had Done a Good Deed (“ἔργον καλὸν“) to Jesus | She Has Done a Good Deed (“καλὸν ἔργον“) to Jesus (Mark 14:6) | No Good Deed Explicity Mentioned: Implied that Good Deed Was Prepared Jesus for the Day of His Burial (John 12:7) |
| Jesus Praises the Woman | You Love Much, Having Been Forgiven Much; Your Faith Has Saved You | Good Deed: Prepared Body for Burial (Matthew 26:12) | Good Deed: Prepared Body for Burial (Mark 14:8) | Praise for Preparation of Jesus for the Day of Burial (John 12:7) |
| The Poor | No Mention of the Poor | Disciples Wanted Money for the Poor (Matthew ; Jesus Said Poor Always with Them; | Disciples Wanted Money for the Poor; Jesus said You Can Do Good to the Poor Always(Mark 14:7) | Judas Had No Concern for the Poor (John 12:6): Jesus Said Poor Always with You |
| Presence of Jesus | No Promise of Presence | You Do Not Always Have Me (“ἐμὲ δὲ οὐ πάντοτε ἔχετε“) (Matthew 26:11) | You Do Not Always Have Me (“ἐμὲ δὲ οὐ πάντοτε ἔχετε“) (Mark 14:7) | You Do Not Always Have Me (“ἐμὲ δὲ οὐ πάντοτε ἔχετε“) (John 12:8) |
| Preparation for Burial | No Mention of Burial | She Prepared Jesus for Burial (Matthew 26:12) | She Anointed Body beforehand for Burial (Mark 14:8) | She Prepared for the Day of the Burial of Jesus (John 12:7) |
| Last Words to Woman from Jesus | “Your Faith Has Saved You; Go in Peace” | Wherever Gospel Preached, Deeds of Woman Spoken in Memory of Her (Matthew 26:13) | Wherever Gospel Preached, Deeds of this Woman Spoken in Memory of Her (Mark 14:9) | “You Do Not Always Have Me” (John 12:8) |
