Devine Scripture

Matthew 26:12

What does Matthew 26:12 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 26:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 26:12 means

Jesus interprets the anointing as preparation for his burial—she poured ointment on his body to prepare it. He reads the woman’s action prophetically: though she likely meant to show honor, Jesus understands it as anticipating his impending death and burial. The verse links intimate worship with sacrificial destiny, suggesting that acts of devotion can prophetically point to Christ’s redemptive work. This interpretation gives theological weight to the woman’s deed, making it both an expression of love and a symbol of Jesus’ coming sacrifice.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For in that she poured this ointment upon my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For in that she poured this ointment upon my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For in putting this perfume on my body, she did it to make me ready for my last resting-place.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for she having put this ointment on my body--for my burial she did <FI>it<Fi> .

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For she in pouring this ointment on my body hath done it for my burial.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For in pouring out this ointment on my body, she has done it for my burying.

Context

This verse completes Jesus’ explanation of the anointing and connects it directly to his earlier prediction of being delivered to death. It moves the chapter from private devotion to public destiny, bridging the Bethany scene with the approaching passion. For readers, this statement ties together themes of sacrificial love, prophetic fulfillment, and the sacredness of honoring Jesus in the face of his imminent suffering.

v.11For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.

v.12This passage

v.13Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, that also which this woman hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Mark 14:8

    She hath done what she could; she hath anointed my body beforehand for the burying.

  • John 12:7

    Jesus therefore said, Suffer her to keep it against the day of my burying.

  • Luke 23:56

    And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments. And on the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

  • Mark 16:1

    And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, that they might come and anoint him.

  • John 19:39

    And there came also Nicodemus, he who at the first came to him by night, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds.

  • 2 Chronicles 16:14

    And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had hewn out for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odors and divers kinds of spices prepared by the perfumers’ art: and they made a very great burning for him.

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