Bible Strands
Matthew 26:12
By pouring this perfume on Me, she has prepared My body for burial.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks these words in response to a woman anointing him, situating the event before the Passover meal rather than during it. He addresses his followers to explain the significance of her action.
The words — βαλοῦσα (balousa) translates to "in pouring," and μύρον (muron) means "fragrant oil," describing the physical act of applying the perfume.
The thread — The same event appears in Mark 14:8 and John 12:7, where the anointing is explicitly tied to burial preparation, while 2 Chronicles 16:14 provides a parallel pattern of royal burial customs.
Why it lands — The text states that a present act of devotion serves as advance preparation for death, then declares that this deed will be remembered wherever the gospel is preached. It asks the reader to recognize that costly, timely obedience carries eternal significance.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.
Cross-references
- Mark 14:8 She has done what she could to anoint My body in advance of My burial.
- John 12:7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “She has kept this perfume in preparation for the day of My burial.
- 2 Chronicles 16:14 And he was buried in the tomb that he had cut out for himself in the City of David. They laid him on a bier that was full of spices and various blended perfumes; then they made a great fire in his honor.
- Mark 16:1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so they could go and anoint the body of Jesus.
- Luke 23:56 Then they returned to prepare spices and perfumes. And they rested on the Sabbath, according to the commandment.
- John 19:39 Nicodemus, who had previously come to Jesus at night, also brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.