Bible Strands
Matthew 26:7
a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He reclined at the table.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus reclines at a meal in Bethany at Simon the Leper’s house while a woman approaches him with a flask of costly perfume. The disciples witness the act and immediately question its practical value.
The words — προσῆλθεν (prosēlthen) translates literally as "came" or "approached," and ἀλάβαστρον (alabastron) denotes the specific alabaster flask used to contain the oil.
The thread — Parallel accounts record this anointing at a dinner hosted in Jesus' honor (John 12:2) and earlier connect a similar act to a woman known for her sins (Luke 7:37, Luke 7:46).
Why it lands — The text records a costly physical act of honor that precedes practical criticism, requiring the reader to weigh devotion against utility without dismissing either the giver or the observer.
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
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.
Cross-references
- John 12:2 So they hosted a dinner for Jesus there. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with Him.
- Luke 7:46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but she has anointed My feet with perfume.
- Luke 7:37 When a sinful woman from that town learned that Jesus was dining there, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume.
- Ecclesiastes 9:8 Let your garments always be white, and never spare the oil for your head.
- Psalms 133:2 It is like fine oil on the head, running down on the beard, running down Aaron’s beard over the collar of his robes.
- Song of Solomon 1:3 The fragrance of your perfume is pleasing; your name is like perfume poured out. No wonder the maidens adore you.
- Isaiah 57:9 You went to Molech with oil and multiplied your perfumes. You have sent your envoys a great distance; you have descended even to Sheol itself.
- Exodus 30:23 “Take the finest spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half that amount (250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant cane,
- Ecclesiastes 10:1 As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.