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Explanation for:
Matthew
26
:
7
There came to him a woman having an alabaster box of precious ointment, and poured it on his head as he was at table.
9
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Ignatius of Antioch","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88d0244079222ed1845a0_Ignatius%20of%20Antioch.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":1,"exegesis-text":"The Lord applied the anointing oil upon His head to sanctify the Church with eternal life. Let us not allow the foul teachings of the ruler of this world to envelop us, for they seek to ensnare us away from the true path of life. Why do we lack wisdom, despite having received the revelation of God, embodied in Jesus Christ? Why do we suffer in ignorance, failing to acknowledge the extraordinary gift that the Lord has graciously bestowed upon us?"},{"author-name":"Hilarius of Poitiers","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88cb92f12b3278598f946_Hilarius%20of%20Poitiers.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"This woman symbolizes the Gentiles who honored God through the suffering of Christ. She anointed His head, and His head represents God (1 Cor. 11:3). Peace embodies the results of righteous deeds. The female gender receives particular gratitude for their attentive care of the body. Consequently, all the devotion toward His body and all the love for His precious soul were transformed into glory and praise for God. However, the disciples, preoccupied with the salvation of Israel, felt disheartened as they often did; the perfume could have been sold for a significant sum and offered to those in need. Yet the ointment the woman brought was not for sale."},{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Let no one assume that the same woman who anointed His head with fragrant oil is the same as the one who anointed His feet. It is clear that the woman who washed His feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair is explicitly described as a sinner. However, nothing similar is mentioned regarding this woman. In truth, a sinner would not have had the worthiness to anoint the Lord's head directly. Additionally, the other Gospel writer refers not to a container of costly perfume but rather to an unadorned vessel made of marble to illustrate the genuine faith of the Church and the nations of the Gentiles."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The woman referenced appears to be the same across all the Gospel writers; however, this is not entirely correct. In the accounts of the three Synoptic Gospels, they seem to refer to one individual, while in John's narrative, he speaks of a different woman, specifically Lazarus' sister. The mention of Simon's leprosy by the evangelist is intentional, as it illustrates the boldness with which the woman approached Jesus. Leprosy was regarded as a profoundly unclean and detestable disease, yet she observed that Jesus had healed him; therefore, she believed that He would cleanse her of her spiritual impurities. \\n\\nThe evangelist's reference to the city of Bethany holds significance, indicating that Christ willingly chose to endure suffering. He had previously distanced Himself from the Jews, but now, despite their heightened animosity, He traverses near them, just fifteen stadia away. His earlier retreat can be seen as a constructive act. Upon seeing Jesus, emboldened by His presence, the woman approached Him. Unlike the woman suffering from bleeding, who approached Jesus in fear and uncertainty about her condition, this woman experienced a deeper sense of dread and shame due to her conscious moral failings. \\n\\nShe followed in the footsteps of other women such as the Samaritan, the Canaanite, and the woman with the issue of blood, each grappling with their own sense of uncleanness; however, she sought to approach Him privately within the house. While those others came for physical healing, her purpose was solely to honor Christ and seek inner healing. Unlike the others, she bore no physical ailment, making her act even more remarkable. She did not approach Jesus merely as a man; otherwise, she would not have used her hair to wipe His feet, but instead, she recognized Him as someone far beyond human status. Consequently, she lowered her head to His feet—the most precious part of her body, demonstrating her reverence."},{"author-name":"Ambrose of Milan","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88871ceef8c96e0998cd0_Ambrose%20of%20Milan.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Matthew describes a woman anointing Christ's head with ointment. He might not have referred to her as a sinner, while Luke narrates the account of a sinner who poured ointment on His feet (Luke 7:37). These could be different individuals, thus the evangelists are not in contradiction. The distinction lies in the varying significance of the actions and the timing: initially, the woman represents a sinner, but later she embodies a greater level of holiness. The church, or the soul, retains its identity while evolving in perfection. Understand that a soul, steadfast in its pure state and devoted to God (Isaiah 58:2, James 4:8), serves God's Word not through shameful sins but through righteous actions. Such a soul ascends to the head of Christ, who is the head of God (1 Corinthians 11:3). This soul emanates the sweet aroma of its virtues. We become Christ's fragrance to God (2 Corinthians 2:15), and the virtuous life of the righteous brings glory to God."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Some suggest that there were three women who anointed the Lord with oil, a fact noted by all four Gospel writers. Others hold that there were just two: the one identified in John as Mary, Lazarus's sister, and another mentioned in Matthew, who is the same as the one in Luke and Mark. Some believe that Simon the leper was Lazarus's father, from whom the Lord healed leprosy, and he was subsequently looked after by Him. It is also thought that when the Lord instructed the disciples to \\"Go to this man, and he will show you a clean upper room,\\" He was directing them to Simon; it is said that Simon hosted the Lord, during which He shared the Passover with him. Upon witnessing the leper healed, the woman was filled with hope that she too would obtain forgiveness and be cured of her own leprosy. With her faith, she purchased costly ointment and poured it upon the Lord’s head with great generosity, thus honoring the most significant part of her being. Likewise, if you find yourself afflicted by a spiritual leprosy—a Pharisaical pride that blinds you and separates you from God—welcome Jesus into your home and anoint Him with the oil of virtues. You have the opportunity to create this ointment for Jesus, who has cleansed you from your leprosy, and to pour it upon His head. What does the head of Christ represent? It symbolizes His divine nature, to which the incense of virtues is offered, for it is written, \\"Let my prayer be directed as incense before Your face, O Lord\\" (Psalm 140:2). Therefore, offer to the divinity of Christ the sweet aroma of peace, comprised of your virtues, acknowledging Christ not merely as man, but also as God. Through this acknowledgment, you anoint His head with fragrant peace, thereby affirming your theological understanding in an orthodox manner."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"A woman approached: the same sinner who, as noted by Luke the Evangelist (Luke 7:36ff.), had previously anointed the Lord in the home of Simon the Pharisee, who we can presume is also Simon the leper. - She carried an alabaster jar: alabaster is a type of marble known for its lightness, translucence, and beauty, particularly the pure white variety. It was commonly crafted into various containers, urns, and vessels for holding fragrant liquids, since \\"fragrant substances were perfectly preserved in alabaster vessels\\" (Plin.). Typically, these containers featured a long and narrow neck. - ‘Precious Peace’: myrrh is a fragrant balm, often created from a blend of oils and aromatic ingredients, notably the finest olive oil mixed with resinous compounds like nard or spikenard and assorted flowers. - ‘Poured on His head’: the act of anointing was of significant importance among the ancient Jews, particularly for kings and high priests. Beyond this, anointing with oil was a common practice in the East, especially among the affluent, utilized frequently for reasons tied to the hot climate and the comforts of life. It was customary to apply anointing oil during meals, when presenting oneself to distinguished guests, or when hosting particularly esteemed individuals. The anointing typically covered the hair, forehead, face, beard, and garments (Psalms 22:5, Psalms 132:2, Ecclesiastes 9:8, Psalms 44:9, etc.), and in instances of showing special honor, the feet were anointed as well. - ‘To him that reclined’: this indicates that the event occurred during a meal, which was generally characterized by reclining, a practice commonly referred to as reclining (see note on Matthew 23:6)."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The Anointing of Jesus' Head with Peace \\n\\nDuring supper, as everyone reclined at the table, a woman entered bearing an alabaster jar filled with exquisite nard. The identity of the woman is not specified by the Evangelists. Three different women anointed Jesus with this precious balm at various times: the first was in the home of Simon the Pharisee, traditionally identified as Mary Magdalene; the second was Mary, the sibling of Lazarus; and the third took place in the residence of Simon the leper. Church Fathers such as John Chrysostom and Augustine propose that the same woman anointed Jesus on two occasions, once at Simon the Pharisee’s house and again at Simon the Leper’s. This theory seems plausible, suggesting that the woman who came to Simon the Leper was indeed Mary Magdalene. This inference is supported by the fact that the Evangelists Matthew and Mark chose not to name her, likely for the same reason that the Evangelist Luke did not disclose the name of the sinner present at Simon the Pharisee's house."},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"While Martha attended to her customary tasks, Mary positioned herself at the feet of Jesus, absorbing His loving dialogue. In the presence of her cherished Lord and her dear brother, who was a living testament to Christ’s unparalleled power, she experienced an intense urge to demonstrate her affection, gratitude, and veneration for Him. Thus, rising to her feet, she took an alabaster jar filled with exquisite nard and, softly approaching Jesus from behind, shattered the jar and anointed His head with the precious fragrant oil, followed by His feet. Without regard for the onlookers, she then used the long tresses of her hair to wipe His feet, enveloping the space in the delightful aroma of the spilled fragrance."}]}
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