Matthew 26:7

Matthew 26:7 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)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.
• English Standard Version (ESV)a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table.
• New King James Version (NKJV)a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table.
• New Living Translation (NLT)While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head.

Context of Matthew 26:7

5“But not during the festival,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.” 6While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, 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. 8When 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.”

Matthew 26:7 word by word

προσῆλθεν αὐτῷ γυνὴ ἔχουσα ἀλάβαστρον μύρου βαρυτίμου καὶ κατέχεεν ἐπὶ τῆς κεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ ἀνακειμένου.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• There came untoπροσέρχομαιproserchomai · to come near/agreeG4334
• himαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• a womanγυνήgunē · womanG1135
• havingἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• an alabaster boxἀλάβαστρονalabastron · jarG211
• ofμύρονmuron · ointmentG3464
• very preciousβαρύτιμοςbarutimos · expensiveG927
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• poured itκαταχέωkatacheō · to pourG2708
• onἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
• headὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• headκεφαλήkephalē · headG2776
• as he satἀνάκειμαιanakeimai · to reclineG345

Cross-references for Matthew 26:7

• John 12:2Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.
• Exodus 30:23“Take the following fine spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much (that is, 250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant calamus,
• Psalms 133:2It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe.
• Ecclesiastes 9:8Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil.
• Ecclesiastes 10:1As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
• Isaiah 57:9You went to Molek with olive oil and increased your perfumes. You sent your ambassadors far away; you descended to the very realm of the dead!
• Luke 7:37A 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.

Commentaries on Matthew 26:7

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 7There came unto him a woman - There is much contention among commentators about the transaction mentioned here, and in John 12:3; some supposing them to be different, others to be the same. Bishop Newcome's view of the subject I have placed at the end of the chapter. Some think that the woman mentioned here was Mary, the sister of Lazarus; others Mary Magdalene; but against the former opinion it is argued that it is not likely, had this been Mary the…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 6-13Verses 6-13 The pouring ointment upon the head of Christ was a token of the highest respect. Where there is true love in the heart to Jesus Christ, nothing will be thought too good to bestow upon him. The more Christ's servants and their services are cavilled at, the more he manifests his acceptance. This act of faith and love was so remarkable, that it would be reported, as a memorial of Mary's faith and love, to all future ages, and in all places where…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 7The jar of costly perfume was used for burial customs (see Mark 16:1; Luke 23:56–24:1; John 12:1–7; 19:38–42). It was made from nard, a plant harvested in India. The perfume was worth almost a full year’s wages(John 12:5).Read the comment

Topics related to Matthew 26:7

• Alabaster
• Anointing
• Bethany
• Box
• Jesus, the Christ
• Love
• Mary
• Ointment

In the dictionaries

• Adjure
• Alabaster
• Blood
• Covenant
• Cup
• Curse
• Friend
• Guilty
• Heavy
• Hymn

Commentaries on Matthew 26

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings