The Motley Crew Bible Study

May 11, 2011

Matthew 26:6-13

The Questions

Does anybody remember your confirmation date?

Does anybody remember your confirmation verse?

Does anybody remember when you were baptized?

Read Matthew 26:6-13

1. What day is this?

2. What are the similarities and differences in these four accounts?

3. So, how many anointings were there?

4. Who is Simon the leper?

5. What kind of perfume?

6. What does this say to us about what we bring to Jesus?

7. What do you think about the disciple's reaction?

(By the way … Matthew and Mark say what she has done will be told in her memory. Luke and John do not say it.)

8. What does verse 11 mean?

9. Is Jesus giving them another clue about what is about to happen? How many is this?

10. How do you feel about being a part of Scripture being fulfilled?

Unless otherwise indicated, all citations from the Holy Bible are from the New International Version, copyright 2011, used with permission.

The Motley Crew Bible Study

May 11, 2011

Matthew 26:6-13

Some Suggested Answers

We opened with prayer, and then looked at these three questions:

• Does anybody remember your confirmation date?

• Does anybody remember your confirmation verse?

• Does anybody remember when you were baptized?

Not surprisingly, many people remembered (or had a memorial) of these events. It was interesting that not everyone had a confirmation verse.

We had a lengthy discussion concerning the growth of Christianity, then and now. It was noted that in Asia, a rallying cry is “Back to Jerusalem!”

Jeanne reported that there will be a 4-6 week study of the Book of Revelation in the Parlor on Fridays at 9:30, with Pastor Chris. All are invited.

Read Matthew 26:6-13.

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

6 While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, 7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.

8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. 9 “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”

10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 The poor you will always have with you,[a] but you will not always have me. 12 When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

Footnote:

a. Deuteronomy 15:11. “There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.”

Note that it was a Jewish custom to give gifts to the poor on the evening of Passover.

This account from Matthew needs to be read in conjunction with the accounts in the Gospels of Mark, Luke, and John. While these are ordinarily reproduced at the bottom of the notes, they are reproduced here for reasons that will become apparent.

Mark 14:1-9. Jesus Anointed at Bethany

1 Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. 2 “But not during the festival,” they said, “or the people may riot.”

3 While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.

4 Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? 5 It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages[a] and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.

6 “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 The poor you will always have with you,[b] and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. 8 She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. 9 Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

Footnotes:

1. Mark 14:5 Greek than three hundred denarii [Note: a denarius was believed to be a laborer's daily wage in those times.]

2. Mark 14:7 See Deut. 15:11. (above)

Luke 7:36-50. Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman

36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”

40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”

“Tell me, teacher,” he said.

41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[c] and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”

“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Footnotes:

c. Luke 7:41 A denarius was the usual daily wage of a day laborer (see Matt. 20:2).

John 12:1-11. Jesus Anointed at Bethany

1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint[a] of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.[b]” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you,[c] but you will not always have me.”

9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.

In John's Gospel, this event occurs the day before His triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

1. What day is this?

In their Gospels, Mathew and Mark place this episode in “Wednesday” (as the Jews reckon days, with the day beginning at Sundown on Tuesday) … or, if John's Gospel is to be followed, then six days before the Passover (the Friday before Palm Sunday). Many commentators favor John's dating of the event, noting that Matthew and Mark place this episode here to contrast the love and devotion of the woman who anointed Jesus with the hatred of the Jewish leaders (prior to the anointing), and Judas' agreement to betray the Lord (after the anointing).

We should remember that none of the Gospel accounts were intended to be strictly biographical according to an accurate chronology, but, rather, had higher purposes to show various ethnic groups (Jews, Romans or Greeks) the glory of the coming of the Messiah.

2. What are the similarities and differences in these four accounts?

We talked about the various women named Mary in the Gospels. A question arose as to a traditional identification of Mary Magdalene as a sinful woman (a prostitute). In the Concordia Self-Study Bible note to Luke 8:2 it was written that Mary Magdalene “is not to be confused with the sinful woman of ch. 7 or Mary of Bethany (John 11:1).” The “sinful woman of ch. 7” was the one who anointed Jesus in Luke 7:36-50). In the Life Application Study Bible, there is a lengthy note about Mary Magdalene in John 19. She is identified as “an energetic, impulsive, caring woman.” She traveled with Jesus and contributed to the needs of the group. She is identified as having had seven demons driven out of her, but nowhere identified as a “sinful woman.” This identification by early scholars was on the basis of the proximity of the “sinful woman” in Luke 7 and mention of Mary Magdalene in Luke 8. However, these two accounts were separated in time and place as in Luke 8:1, we read: “After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.”

It was also mentioned that Mary Magdalene was thought to be a person of means, and she is identified as one of the women who were helping to support Jesus and the disciples “out of their own means” (Luke 8:3).

One of our members will be doing some research on the various Mary's in the Gospels, but there were these women mentioned by members of the group:

* Mary, the Mother of Jesus

* Mary Magdalene.

In John's Gospel, she alone went to the tomb on Sunday morning, and spoke to the two angels seated where Jesus had been laid. Jesus then appeared to her, and she reported the resurrection to the disciples. John 20:1-18.

In Matthew's Gospel, it was Mary Magdalene and “the other Mary” who went to the tomb. Matt. 28:1.

In Mark's Gospel, it was Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome who went to the tomb. Mark 16:1.

In Luke, it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna [wife of Cuza in Luke 8:3?], Mary the mother of James, “and the others with them.” Luke 24:10.

In Mark's Gospel she is identified as the women “out of whom [Jesus] had driven seven demons” Mark 16:9; also Luke 8:2.

* Mary, the Mother of James (the Younger) and Joses (Matt. 27:56; Mark 15:40, 47; Mark 16:1), the sons of Alphaeus.

* Mary, the mother of James (the Greater) and John, the sons of Zebedee. Matt. 4:21 Jesus called them “Boanerges” which means the “sons of thunder” (Mark 3:16–17).

* Mary of Bethany (sister to Lazarus and Martha)

* Mary, the wife of Clopas (John 19:25)

3. So, how many anointings were there?

Three different anointings make the most sense, especially when we consider how word spread about Him and how people so moved by being in His presence! There is some disagreement among scholars about this.

To pour ointment on the "head" was common [at feasts]. To pour it on the "feet" was an act of distinguished "humility" and of attachment to the Saviour, and therefore deserved to be particularly recorded. Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Others also noted that pouring oil on the feet was servant's work; note that Jesus performed this action for His disciples in John's Gospel. (John 13:1-17)

4. Who is Simon the leper?

Only known from this reference. It is assumed that he had leprosy (or the skin disorder commonly identified as leprosy in the Bible), but that Jesus had cured him. It was unlawful to eat with persons that had the leprosy (one doing so would become “unclean”). Although Luke also identified the Pharisee as having the name Simon, there was no mention of leprosy in Luke's Gospel, and it is therefore unlikely that he is the same man as was identified by Matthew & Mark. The Concordia Self-Study Bible indicated that Simon was a common name in the first century (as was Mary and James, as we have seen).

5. What kind of perfume?

Nard, or to be precise, Spikenard.

Mark (Mar 14:3) and John (John 12:3) say that it was ointment of spikenard. In the original it is "nard." It was procured from an herb growing in the Indies, chiefly obtained from the root, though sometimes also from the bark. It was liquid, so as easily to flow when the box or vial was open, and was distinguished particularly for an agreeable smell. See Sol 1:12. The ancients were much in the habit of "anointing or perfuming" their bodies, and the nard was esteemed one of the most precious perfumes. Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The "alabaster" is a species of marble, distinguished for being light, and of a beautiful white color, almost transparent. It is also described as a semi-precious stone that was easy to shape. It was much used by the ancients for the purpose of preserving various kinds of ointment in.

6. What does this say to us about what we bring to Jesus?

Our all … and our best when we have a choice, such as an alabaster jar with expensive perfume (sealed such that the top had to be broken, and that the entire contents must be used at once). No “leftovers” for the Lord! Recall that the Passover Lamb was required to be spotless.

His love for us was extravagant, and so should our love be for Him.

Many agreed that the more we grow and learn, the greater our love for Him becomes. Pastor mentioned “refined in the fire” as mentioned by Peter.

7. What do you think about the disciple's reaction?

(By the way … Matthew and Mark say what she has done will be told in her memory. Luke and John do not say it.)

As usual, the guys didn't get it; they were in serious denial. Mary, alone, grasped what Jesus had been saying in recent days, and responded in love.

The ordinary anointing of hospitality and honour was of the feet (Luke 7:38) and head (Luke 7:46). But Mary of Bethany, who alone of our Lord's disciples had comprehended His thrice repeated announcement of His coming death and resurrection, invested the anointing with the deeper meaning of the preparation of His body for burying. Mary of Bethany was not among the women who went to the sepulchre with intent to embalm the body of Jesus. Scofield Reference Notes

It was the "property" of Mary. She had a right to dispose of it as she pleased, answerable not to them, but to God. "They" had no right over it, and no cause of complaint if it had been wasted. So Christians now are at liberty to dispose of their property as they please, either in distributing the Bible, in supporting the gospel, in sending it to pagan nations, or in aiding the poor. The people of the world, like Judas, regard it as "wasted." Like Judas, they are indignant. They say it might be disposed of in a better way. Yet, like Judas, they are interfering in that which concerns them not. Like other people, Christians have a right to dispose of their property as they please, answerable only to God. And though an avaricious world esteems it to be "wasted," yet, if their Lord commands it, it will be found to be the "only way" in which it was right for them to dispose of that property, and will be found not to have been in vain. Barnes' Notes on the Bible

A memorial - Anything to produce "remembrance." This would be told to her honor and credit, as a memorial of her piety and self-denial; and it is right that the good deeds of the pious should be recorded and had in recollection. Barnes' Notes on the Bible

John's Gospel, alone, identifies an ulterior motive on the part of Judas, that he was a thief and had been using the common funds for his own use:

John 12:6. “He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.”

We stopped here … just ran out of time. We'll continue with these verses next week.

8. What does verse 11 mean?

9. Is Jesus giving them another clue about what is about to happen? How many is this?

10. How do you feel about being a part of Scripture being fulfilled?

We closed with prayer.

"Be kind and compassionate to one another,
forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
Ephesians 4:32

For Additional Study

The Prayer And Study Resources web page has a listing of some research web sites that I use. In addition, Additional Research Resources is a page with a more complete list of Bible and Lutheran resources, plus there is the Research Resources Checklist, which is the web page I use when I first begin a Bible study. Both of these last two web pages are always growing, and please let me know if you are aware of other great sites.