Mat 26:6-16 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Matt 26:6-13: 26:6-13 A similar anointing took place earlier in Galilee (Luke 7:36-50 ). Matthew’s insertion of the episode at this point (cp. John 12:1-8 ) sets the Jewish leaders’ murderous plotting (Matt 26:3-5 ) and Judas’s betrayal (26:14-16 ) in sharp contrast to the woman’s praiseworthy actions. 26:6 Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy: Jesus’ presence in the man’s home exhibited the forgiving, healing love Jesus often showed toward outcasts (see 8:7 ; 9:10 ).

Summary for Matt 26:6-13: 26:6-13 ^a A similar anointing took place earlier in Galilee (Luke 7:36-50 ^b). Matthew’s insertion of the episode at this point (cp. John 12:1-8 ^c) sets the Jewish leaders’ murderous plotting (Matt 26:3-5 ^d) and Judas’s betrayal (26:14-16 ^e) in sharp contrast to the woman’s praiseworthy actions. 26:6 ^f Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy: Jesus’ presence in the man’s home exhibited the forgiving, healing love Jesus often showed toward outcasts (see 8:7 ^g; 9:10 ^h).
26:7 ⁱ The jar of expensive perfume was a burial ointment (see Mark 16:1 ^j; Luke 23:56–24:1 ^k; John 12:1-7 ^l; 19:38-42 ^m) made of nard, which was harvested in India. The value of this jar of perfume was nearly a year’s wages (John 12:5 ⁿ).
26:8 ^o The disciples were indignant: John 12:4 ^p indicates that Judas Iscariot incited this reaction.
26:12 ^q to prepare my body for burial: It is not clear whether the woman fully understood the significance of her actions. In addition to preparation for burial, the anointing also speaks of Jesus as king (1 Sam 10:1 ^r; 2 Kgs 9:6 ^s) and priest (Exod 29:7 ^t).
Summary for Matt 26:14-16: 26:14-16 ^u Judas sold himself to the authorities (see also John 11:57 ^v), concealed it (Matt 26:25 ^w), and then took them to Jesus at the appropriate time so they could carry out their plans (26:47-56 ^x; see John 18:2 ^y). Later, Judas was overcome by guilt and committed suicide (Matt 27:3-10 ^z; see Acts 1:15-22 ^aa). Judas was apparently known for his greed (Matt 26:14-15 ^ab; John 12:4-6 ^ac; 13:29 ^ad). It is also possible that he was motivated by disappointment over the nature of Jesus’ reign as Messiah, his own humiliation over the anointing of Jesus (see John 12:1-8 ^ae), or resentment over the leadership of the Galilean apostles, Peter, James, and John. Whatever his motivation, Judas’s betrayal was a part of God’s sovereign plan (Acts 1:16-17 ^af).