In brief: Matthew 26:6–13 and Mark 14:3–9 report an unnamed woman (identified in John as Mary of Bethany) pouring an expensive perfume on Jesus—Matthew/Mark say she anoints his head; John 12:1–11 says Mary anoints Jesus’ feet with nard and wipes them with her hair at Bethany shortly before Passover, and Judas objects. Luke 7:36–50 gives a different scene earlier in Jesus’ ministry: an unnamed “sinner” anoints Jesus’ feet in Simon the Pharisee’s house and receives a public word of forgiveness. So we have two related but distinct memories: one emphasizing devotion and burial-preparation (Matthew/Mark/John), the other emphasizing repentance and pardon (Luke).
These scenes reveal Jesus as the One who welcomes extravagant love and who subverts religious calculation. He accepts the costly gift, knowing it points to his death, and he refuses to let prudence or hypocrisy rob a moment of worship. In Luke, the woman’s anointing becomes the occasion for radical forgiveness—Jesus links repentance, faith, and released love. The weight of the moment is real: whether facing betrayal or shame, Jesus honors full-hearted devotion and offers grace that removes judgment.
Today, practice a small, concrete act of “costly” devotion: set aside an hour to sit quietly with Jesus—no agenda, no holy to-do list—bring a sacrificial gift of time, attention, or a handwritten note of forgiveness to someone you’ve avoided. If you can, do one visible act of love that risks embarrassment—call someone first, apologize, or give something you’ll miss. Let the Kingdom be built by courage that looks like extravagance and by a grace that covers our mistakes.
Matthew: 26:6-13
While Jesus is at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman anoints him with costly perfume and some of the disciples criticize the seeming waste. Jesus defends her, saying she has anointed him for burial and that her deed of love will be remembered wherever the gospel is proclaimed.
Open VerseMark: 14:3-9
While Jesus was at Bethany a woman anointed him with costly perfume, and when some criticized the apparent wastefulness and suggested selling it to help the poor, Jesus defended her, saying she has done a beautiful thing in preparing him for burial and that her act will be remembered wherever the gospel is proclaimed.
Open VerseLuke: 7:36-50
When a woman known as a sinner anoints Jesus' feet with her tears and costly ointment at the home of Simon the Pharisee, Jesus rebukes Simon with a parable about two debtors to show that those forgiven much love much, declares the woman's sins forgiven, and tells her that her faith has saved her.
Open VerseJohn: 12:1-11
Six days before Passover Jesus visits Lazarus in Bethany, where Mary anoints Jesus’ feet with costly perfume and wipes them with her hair while Judas objects, claiming the perfume should have been sold to help the poor. Jesus defends her act as preparing him for burial and is publicly glorified, but the Pharisees begin plotting to kill both Jesus and Lazarus because many Jews believe on him.
Open Verse